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Ivan Kaye

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Ivan Kaye
Kaye in August 2019
Born
Ivan Blakeley Kaye

(1961-07-01) 1 July 1961 (age 63)
Northampton, Northamptonshire, England
NationalityBritish
Occupations
  • Actor
  • producer
Years active1987–present
Children2

Ivan Blakeley Kaye (born 1 July 1961) is an English actor and producer. His international fame came with roles in historical drama shows like the Duke of Milan in all three seasons of The Borgias,[1] and King Aelle in the first four Seasons of History channel's series Vikings.[2] More recent projects include action thriller Gunpowder Milkshake, the series pilot for Amazon's adaptation of Stephen King's The Dark Tower, the first British original Disney series Wedding Season and a leading role in the Irish comedy feature film Apocalypse Clown. In the UK, he is also widely known for many TV roles, including stints on Bad Girls and Bugs, and his role as Bryan in the comedy series The Green Green Grass.[3]

Early life

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Kaye was born on 1 July 1961 in Northampton, Northamptonshire.[4] His passion for entertainment started in early childhood when he recreated television adverts at age two and performed shows with his friends throughout his childhood. As an eight-year-old boy, a key experience strengthened his enthusiasm and he joined a youth theatre group at age eleven, taking over organisational duties some years later.[5] The only family member to have been involved in the entertainment industry before was Kaye's maternal grandmother who had been a musical star in the 1920s.[5]

As his parents were social workers who moved frequently, Kaye attended thirteen different senior schools and experienced bullying along the way. It was in a school fight that he got his nose broken.[6] As his parents ran hostels for mentally ill people, adolescents and delinquents, Kaye came in contact with various types of behaviours and people from an early age. According to his own appraisal, this experience has been a helpful factor for the development of his wide-ranging repertoire.[5] While earning his degree in English Literature at the University of Kent at Canterbury on the insistence of his parents, he performed in as many student plays as possible and started his professional career right afterward, getting an agent after one of his first serious performances in his early twenties and making his first West End theatre appearance early on.[5]

Hence Kaye had a successful theatre career already before starting his television work in his thirties. He decided to leave the theatre and turn to television in order to be able to spend time with his children while they were growing up because theatre performances in the evenings would have meant that he would not have been at home when they returned from school and university.[7]

Career

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Kaye made his theatre debut in 1980 at Sadler's Wells Theatre in London as Willy Wonka in a stage version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. More theatre roles followed throughout the 1980s and 1990s, e.g. at the Royal National Theatre and the Piccadilly Theatre (The Rocky Horror Show).[8]

In 1990, he started his television career by guest starring in the crime shows The Paradise Club and The Bill. In 1992 he played the leading part Sam Sterne in ITV's crime show Sam Saturday.[9] Since then he has played almost 50 roles in television and, from 2004, in movies (Layer Cake, Control).[8]

Kaye's roles in recent international productions include drug baron Polo Yakur in Assassination Games (2011), the Duke of Milan Ludovico Sforza in The Borgias (2011-2013), Joshua Collins, father of the main character Barnabas Collins (Johnny Depp) in Dark Shadows (2012), famous Viking warrior Ivar the Boneless in Hammer of the Gods (2013), pub landlord Mick Sturrock in BBC One's crime show The Coroner (2015-2016) and the Saxon King Aelle of Northumbria in History channel's period drama Vikings (2013-2017).[8]

Aside from his villain roles as cold-blooded Polo Yakur (a "stand-out performance"[10]) and unscrupulous Duke Ludovico it is mainly his portrayal of King Aelle - in Vikings the deadly enemy and nemesis of the legendary hero of the show Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) - that has recently shaped Kaye's international profile. In his Twitter bio he describes himself as "Villain for Hire".[11] His performances in the second part of season 4 of Vikings have been met with increased interest[12] as his character King Aelle is of pivotal importance in the scenes of Ragnar's death and at the centre of attention during his own execution through the blood eagle torture inflicted by Ragnar's sons in revenge for the death of their father.[13] In an interview on his character King Aelle in September 2017, Kaye contested the assessment of this antagonist as a villain[14] - an assessment that had already been subject to disputes between parts of the audience.

Earlier internationally known roles include Reuben Starkadder in the television film Cold Comfort Farm (1995) and Adonija in the German-Italian-French co-production Solomon (1997).[8] Mainly in the United Kingdom, Kaye is also known for his characters Dr. Jonathan Leroy in 27 episodes of the soap opera EastEnders in 2003-2004 and the herdsman Bryan in all of the episodes of the 4 Series television sitcom The Green Green Grass (2005-2009).[8]

Up to 2021, Kaye has performed in four short films[15][8][16][17] and, as a voice artist, he has lent his voice to characters in several video games like Warhammer 40,000: Fire Warrior (2003) and Star Wars: The Old Republic (2011)[8] as well as starring as a main character in comedy episodes and short films produced by his own and Douglas McFerran's production company Comedy Ink Productions.[18][19] From October 2017 to January 2018 he returned to the stage in the role of Tom Kettle in Jez Butterworth's play The Ferryman at Gielgud Theatre in London's West End.[20][8]

In April and May 2018, Kaye came back to the small screen in the UK in his role as Pesca in the five part miniseries The Woman in White, a new BBC adaptation of Wilkie Collins' novel of the same name. A sneak peek review of British independent feature film For Love or Money: An Unromantic Comedy (released in the US on 15 March 2019) has emphasised his outstanding performance as the father of the main female character.[21]

Kaye's more recent projects include Amazon's unreleased but reviewed pilot for an unrealised adaptation of Stephen King's The Dark Tower book series, starting with a prequel about the main character's youth based on book 4 Wizard and Glass[22] and Navot Papushado's new action thriller Gunpowder Milkshake. The former has started filming in Split on 13 May 2019,[23] the latter finished filming in August 2019 in Berlin and has been released in the US and several other countries in July 2021 and in the rest of the world in the following months.[24][25] Kaye's own Comedy Ink short film Acter has been released in April 2020. In 2021, he has returned to TV series projects by joining the cast of the Father Brown spin-off Sister Boniface Mysteries produced by BBC Studios and released on 8 February 2022 on BritBox in the US[26][27][28] as well as the first British original Disney series Wedding Season.[29][8] With his part in the Irish comedy film Apocalypse Clown, filmed in 2022, Kaye plays a leading role again.[30]

Personal life and social engagement

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Kaye also has knowledge of French and Spanish.[8] As indicated by his first name he has Russian ancestry.[14][31] Kaye, who has two adult daughters, lives in London.[32]

Kaye supports the Our Disappearing Planet[33] and the Mayhew animal charities.[32] He also supports the campaign "Justice for Andrew Jones" which aims at bringing the killers of a teenager to court who was killed in 2003 in Liverpool on the street.[34]

In 2021, Kaye joined The Celebs to record a cover of The Beatles song "Let It Be", in support of the Mind charity and released on 3rd December 2021. Kaye was part of a choir of celebrities.[35][36][37]

In September 2022, Kaye rejoined The Celebs to mark the 40th anniversary of the Michael Jackson classic album Thriller and raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, with a new rendition of the title track.[38]

Filmography

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Title Role Year
The Paradise Club Arthur Burns 1990
The Bill Alan Wilcock/David Collier/Watkins 1991–2010
Sam Saturday DI Sam Saturday 1992
Men of the World John 1994
Cold Comfort Farm Reuben Starkadder 1995
Casualty Guy/Simon Webster 1995–2001
Bugs General Maliq 1996
Solomon Adonijah 1997
Faith in the Future Mark 1998
Microsoap Roger 1998–2000
A Dinner of Herbs Dan Bannaman 2000
Metropolis Hector 2000
Sunburn Kidnapper 2000
The Peter Principle Paulo 2000
The Armando Iannucci Shows 2000
Bad Girls Charlie Atkins 2000–2001
Dinotopia Catrone 2002
Lenny Blue DI Featherstone 2002
Trial & Retribution VI Bob Brickman 2002
London's Burning Jimmy Watts 2002
The Eustace Bros. Dennis Walton 2003
Inside the Mind of Paul Gascoigne Narrator 2005
EastEnders Dr. Jonathan Leroy 2004
Layer Cake Freddie Hurst 2004
Control Norton 2004
Self Portrait Burton 2005
The Green Green Grass Bryan 2005–2009
Brilliant Colin 2007-2010
Holby City Jimmy Furnival 2008
Chief Chief 2011
Injustice DS Harry Bowman 2011
The Borgias Duke of Milan 2011–2013
Assassination Games Polo Yakur 2011
Tortoise in Love Sean 2012
Dark Shadows Joshua Collins 2012
Hammer of the Gods Ivar 2013
Top Hat The Gentleman 2013
Sherlock Holmes Confidential Sherlock Holmes 2013
Vikings King Aelle of Northumbria 2013–2017
Undercover Garabed 2015
The Coroner Mick Sturrock 2015–2016
The Woman in White Pesca 2018
For Love or Money: An Unromantic Comedy Patrick 2019
Cliffs of Freedom Ghazi Khalif 2019
The King Lord Scrope 2019
Acter Ivan Kaye - Actor 2020
The Dark Tower Mayor Hart Thorin 2020
Gunpowder Milkshake Yankee 2021
The Dead Collectors Peter 2021
End of Term Garth Stroman 2021
Sister Boniface Mysteries Ted Button 2022-2023
Wedding Season Mr. Delaney 2022
Apocalypse Clown The Great Alphonso 2023
Target Zero Agent K post-production
Angela Alex completed
Brian and Margaret Nigel Lawson post-production

Theatre

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West End Theatre;

National Theatre;

  • (1988) Play. 'The Changeling'. National Theatre. Don Pedro.
  • (1988) Play. 'The Magic Olympical Games'. National Theatre. Magus.
  • (1989) Play. 'Ghetto'. National Theatre. Kruk/ Sasha Molevsky.[8]
  • (1992) Play. 'Fuente Ovejuna'. National Theatre. Dan Manrique.[8]

Other;

  • (1980) Musical. 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'. Sadler's Wells/Sheffield Crucible. Willy Wonka.
  • (1984) Play. 'In Nomine Patris'. Edinburgh/King's Head Dad. (Fringe First)
  • (1984) Review. 'The Floodlight's Review'. Edinburgh. Various Roles/ Writer. (Nominated for Perrier)
  • (1985) Musical. 'Sammy's Magic Garden'. Edinburgh Festival/Latchmere. Compost.
  • (1986) Play. 'Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead'. Latchmere. Player King.
  • (1987) Panto. 'Cinderella'. Latchmere. Ugly Sister.
  • (1994) Play. 'View from the Bridge'. Bristol Old Vic/Birmingham Rep. Marco.[8]
  • (1996) Musical. 'Lock up your Daughters'. Chichester Festival Theatre. Ramble.[8]
  • (1999) Play. 'In Flame'. Bush Theatre. Matt/ Frank / Fabrizio.
  • (2002) Play. 'Teeth 'n' Smiles'. Sheffield Crucible. Saraffian.

References

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  1. ^ "The Borgias Season Three " historyonfilm.com". historyonfilm.com. Archived from the original on 31 March 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  2. ^ Schwindt, Oriana (29 December 2016). "'Vikings' Showrunner Michael Hirst on Ragnar's Fate (SPOILERS)". Variety. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  3. ^ Perry, Chris (3 February 2016). The Kaleidoscope British Christmas Television Guide 1937–2013. Lulu.com. ISBN 9781900203609. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  4. ^ "FreeBMD Entry Info". www.freebmd.org.uk. Archived from the original on 10 December 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  5. ^ a b c d Langridge, Elliot James (11 September 2021). "Episode 12 - Interview with Ivan Kaye on Life in Film". anchor.fm. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  6. ^ Kaye, Ivan; Meah, Samantha (28 April 2019), Why "Be Yourself" Can Be Bad Advice | Ivan Kaye Radio Interview with Samantha Meah on 28 May 2018, retrieved 21 July 2019
  7. ^ Kaye, Ivan (27 May 2019), Rehearsing with Chairs & Hurting Bottoms: Ivan Kaye on his Theatre Comeback with 'The Ferryman' (Video Interview), archived from the original on 21 December 2021, retrieved 21 July 2019
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Ivan Kaye". Spotlight. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  9. ^ "Sam Saturday (ITV 1992, Ivan Kaye, Doreen Mantle) | Memorable TV". www.memorabletv.com. 2 November 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  10. ^ Schembari, Matt (28 August 2014). "The 10 Greatest Villains That Jean-Claude Van Damme Has Ever Faced - Part 2". We Got This Covered. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  11. ^ "Ivan Kaye (@IvanKaye1) | Twitter". twitter.com. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  12. ^ Giacomazzo, Bernadette (29 December 2016). "Vikings All His Angels Season 4 Episode 15 Recap - TV Eskimo". TV Eskimo. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  13. ^ Giacomazzo, Bernadette (19 January 2017). "Vikings Revenge Season 4 Episode 18 Recap - TV Eskimo". TV Eskimo. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  14. ^ a b "Interviews: "Vikings" interview with Ivan Kaye - myFanbase". www.myfanbase.de. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  15. ^ Wilkinson, Amber. "Self Portrait (2005) Movie Review from Eye for Film". www.eyeforfilm.co.uk. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  16. ^ "Ivan Kaye Stars in the Comedy Short Film 'The Dead Collectors'". ivankayesource.wordpress.com. 16 November 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  17. ^ Maitre, James (27 August 2021). "Brendan Cleaves Imagines a Reality Where Dying Isn't the End in His Horror Comedy 'The Dead Collectors'". Twelve Cabins. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  18. ^ "Comedy Ink - Facebook page of the company with links to released material". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  19. ^ "'ACTER' – World Premiere of Ivan Kaye's New Comedy Ink Short Film". ivankayesource.wordpress.com. 21 April 2020. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  20. ^ "New cast members announced for The Ferryman at the Gielgud Theatre. - Royal Court". Royal Court. 1 September 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  21. ^ "Field and Mullinger's Underground Nights: Rom com ramble (from 38:30 on the film, from 43:31 on Ivan Kaye)". failed critics. 13 April 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  22. ^ "Ivan Kaye Joining the Cast of 'The Dark Tower' Series Pilot". ivankayesource.wordpress.com. 30 April 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  23. ^ "Nakon holivudskog blockbustera, u Hrvatsku je stigla nova ekipa i u Splitu snimaju hit seriju". tportal.hr. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  24. ^ "All We Know about the 'Gunpowder Milkshake' Release in 2021". ivankayesource.wordpress.com. 29 April 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  25. ^ "Confirmed international release dates, new insights and material for 'Gunpowder Milkshake' with Ivan Kaye". ivankayesource.wordpress.com. 6 July 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  26. ^ "Father Brown spin-off Sister Boniface Mysteries is to air on UKTV's Drama". TellyMix. 9 September 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  27. ^ "'The Sister Boniface Mysteries,' Feb. 8, BritBox". www.thebostonpilot.com. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  28. ^ THE SISTER BONIFACE MYSTERIES Series | Original Teaser (HD) BritBox, retrieved 15 February 2022
  29. ^ "Ivan Kaye Stars as Rosa Salazar's Father-in-Law in Disney's 'Wedding Season'". ivankayesource.wordpress.com. 30 January 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  30. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (20 May 2022). "'Apocalypse Clown,' George Kane's Ensemble Comedy, Boarded by Charades, Vertigo Releasing (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  31. ^ PremiereScene (26 August 2013), Hammer Of The Gods - UK Premiere Interviews Charlie Bewley, Ivan Kaye, Michael Jibson, archived from the original on 21 December 2021, retrieved 12 February 2018
  32. ^ a b "Vikings Star Adopts from The Mayhew". Mayhew. 17 February 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  33. ^ "Ivan Kaye". www.ourdisappearingplanet.com. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  34. ^ "Celebrity poster campaign". www.justiceforandrewjones.co.uk. Archived from the original on 28 October 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  35. ^ "Saga Entertainment and The Celebs have reunited, fronted by 'Shona Mcgarty' who sings a heart warming rendition of the Beatles classic 'Let It Be'". discovermediadigital.com. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  36. ^ "Supporting mental health charity MIND, 'The Celebs' release a beautiful Beatles cover 'Let it Be'". thissoundnation.co.uk. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  37. ^ McGarty, Shona (performer); The Celebs (performers). Shona McGarty - Let It Be (Official Video) ft. The Celebs (YouTube). London: ShonaMcGartyVEVO. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  38. ^ "Jo O'Meara celebrates the 40th anniversary of 'Thriller' with a spooktacular take". Prunderground.com.
  39. ^ Loveridge, Lizzie. "In Flame, A CurtainUp London Review". www.curtainup.com. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  40. ^ "New cast members announced for The Ferryman at the Gielgud Theatre. - Royal Court". Royal Court. 1 September 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
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