Timothy Spall named Best Actor at Cannes

Timothy Spall (Wormtail) was surprised this week when he was named Best Actor at Cannes Film Festival. He was on a boating holiday when he received the news.

Spall received the Best Actor award for his role as British landscape painter J.M.W. Turner in the film Mr. Turner, directed by Mike Leigh. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.

The film

not only showed what a great painter Turner was but also explored his legendary sexual escapades and how his passion for women helped fuel his brilliance with a paint brush.

Although Spall has previously been nominated for BAFTAS, he has always missed out. He revealed how he nearly didn’t pick up the phone when he got the call with the news:

Four hours ago I had my fingers, and I’d better say this carefully, up a pipe full of oil on my boat. I was so distressed about the pipe that I almost didn’t pick up the phone.

On receiving the award Spall said,

It’s a funny old thing to be in your late years. I’ve been a bridesmaid, but this is the first time that I’ve ever been a bride.

Spall has had a wide and varied career, from playing our very own Wormtail in the Harry Potter films to roles in films such as The King’s Speech and on TV in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet – and he starred recently in The Love Punch, alongside fellow Potter star Emma Thompson.

Mr. Turner is due to be released later this year in UK theaters.

Congratulations, Spall – a very well-deserved award!