Bertie Carvel's Real Name: Bertie Carvel

Quick answer: The actor works as Bertie Carvel. The Guardian says he was born in London in 1977, and the Internet Broadway Database gives his birth as September 6, 1977, in London. A Library of Congress record says he was born "as Robert Carvel," but no second source here confirmed that.

Real name and early life

The Guardian, in a December 2023 "looks back" feature by Harriet Gibsone, says he was "born in London in 1977 to Patricia, a psychologist, and John, a journalist," and that he trained at RADA. The Internet Broadway Database (IBDB) lists his birth as September 6, 1977, in London. The Library of Congress authority file records "b. 1977 in London, England, UK as Robert Carvel."

RADA, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, counts him among its acting graduates in a 2019 announcement. Official London Theatre lists early stage credits including Rope at the Almeida, The Pride at the Royal Court, and Parade at the Donmar Warehouse.

Career highlights

Official London Theatre, the Society of London Theatre's site, reported in April 2012 that he won the Olivier Award for best actor in a musical for playing the headmistress Miss Trunchbull in Matilda the Musical. It says he originated the role in the Royal Shakespeare Company production at Stratford-upon-Avon and continued in the West End transfer. IBDB records that he originated the role on Broadway in 2013, and Broadway.com says the performance earned him a 2013 Tony nomination.

He then played Rupert Murdoch in James Graham's play Ink. RADA says the role won him an Olivier Award in 2018 for the original London production, and Town & Country also dates that Olivier to 2018. RADA says he won his first Tony Award, for best featured actor in a play, for the Broadway run, on his second nomination. IBDB lists the Broadway run from April to July 2019. The Guardian summary links his Ink awards to 2017, so the award years differ by source.

Town & Country says the production was directed by Rupert Goold and co-starred Jonny Lee Miller as editor Larry Lamb, and that Carvel met Murdoch briefly in London. The Guardian lists television work including Doctor Foster, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, and Dalgliesh, and says he played Tony Blair in season five of The Crown. It says he is married to the actor Sally Scott, and that they have a son and live in London.

Name notes for searchers

People looking up Bertie Carvel or Robert Carvel are looking for the same actor. Miss Trunchbull and Rupert Murdoch are roles he played, not his names.