Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch, born on July 19, 1976, in Hammersmith, London, is a renowned English actor known for his work on screen and stage. He was born to actors Timothy Carlton and Wanda Ventham, which perhaps set the stage for his future career in acting.

Benedict Cumberbatch was educated at Brambletye School and Harrow School, where he began acting in school plays. After a gap year teaching English in a Tibetan monastery, he studied drama at the University of Manchester and later obtained a Master of Arts in classical acting from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

His career began in theatre, with notable performances in Shakespearean productions. He made his West End debut in Richard Eyre's revival of "Hedda Gabler" in 2005. His television breakthrough came with his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in the film "Hawking" (2004). However, it was his role as Sherlock Holmes in the BBC series "Sherlock" (2010-2017) that brought him international fame and critical acclaim, earning him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor.

In film, Benedict Cumberbatch has delivered remarkable performances in a variety of genres. He received Academy Award nominations for Best Actor for his roles in "The Imitation Game" (2014), where he portrayed Alan Turing, and "The Power of the Dog" (2021), where he played a volatile rancher.

His other notable films include "Atonement" (2007), "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" (2011), "12 Years a Slave" (2013), and "1917" (2019). He is also well-known for his roles in blockbuster films, such as Khan in "Star Trek Into Darkness" (2013), Smaug and Sauron in "The Hobbit" film series (2012-2014), and Dr. Stephen Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including "Doctor Strange" (2016) and "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" (2022).

His personal life is as intriguing as his professional one. He married theatre and opera director Sophie Hunter in 2015, and the couple has three sons. Despite his busy career, he is known for his philanthropic efforts. He has been involved in various charitable activities and was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2015 for his services to performing arts and charity.

Throughout his career, Benedict Cumberbatch has received numerous awards and nominations. He has won a BAFTA TV Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Laurence Olivier Award, among others.

In 2014, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.