British actor Mark Strong, who played Jim Prideaux in the 2011 remake of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011), is often cast as cold, calculating villains. But before he became a famous actor, he intended to pursue a career in law.

Strong was born Marco Giuseppe Salussolia in London, England, to an Austrian mother and an Italian father. His father left the family not long after he was born, and his mother worked as an au pair to raise the boy on her own. Strong's mother had his name legally changed when he was young in order to help him better assimilate with his peers.

Strong attended Wymondham College in Norfolk, and studied at the university level in Munich with the intent of becoming a lawyer. After a year, he returned to London to study English and Drama at Royal Holloway. He went on to further master his craft of at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Although Americans are most familiar with Strong's roles as Sinestro in Green Lantern (2011), mob boss Frank D'Amico in Kick-Ass (2010), and Lord Blackthorn in Sherlock Holmes (2009), British audiences know him from his long history as a television actor. He also starred in as numerous British stage productions, including plays at the Royal National Theatre and the RSC. 

Liza Marshall (? - present) ( 2 children)

Trivia

Born Marco Giuseppe Salussolia in London to an Italian father and an Austrian mother.
He was nominated for a 2003 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role of 2002 for his performance in "Twelfth Night", performed at the Donmar Warehouse.
He can speak fluent English and German.
Has appeared in two films under the same title: Sunshine (1999) and Sunshine (2007).
Has appeared in two films where the lead male character is named "Tristan": Tristan + Isolde (2006) and Stardust (2007).
He got down to the last two spots for the role of Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men (2007). Originally turned down Body of Lies (2008) because his wife was pregnant with their second child.
Has two sons with Liza Marshall: Gabriel and Roman. Son Roman was born October 5, 2007.
Close friends with Daniel Craig. Craig is also the godfather of one of Strong's sons.
Has appeared in five films with Colin Firth: Fever Pitch (1997), Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011), Before I Go to Sleep (2014), Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014), and Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017).

On Stardust (2007) director Matthew Vaughn ... From "Good Omens: The Making of Stardust" on Stardust DVD: What I love about Matthew is his taste. He won't look at the monitor and let something pass unless he thinks it's right and, as an actor, that's what you want from a director. You want them to be your mate behind the camera.
On his character Prince Septimus in Stardust (2007) ... From "Good Omens: The Making of Stardust" on Stardust DVD ... (Contains spoiler for movie): I was able to do pretty much most of my fighting scenes in this movie. The difficulty obviously is, it's one thing being able to do fighting, but it's another thing doing it with your eyes closed while you're slumped over and you can't see your opponent.

(when he was used as a Zombie by the Witch Lamia): In a film, the more effort you put in, the more fantastic it looks.