Nigel Hawthorne was a British actor born on April 5, 1929, in London, England. He gained fame for his role as Sir Humphrey Appleby in the television series Yes Minister and its sequel Yes, Prime Minister. His performance earned him critical acclaim and several awards, including BAFTA nominations. In addition to his television work, Hawthorne had a successful career in film and theater. He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his role in the film The Madness of King George. Hawthorne's versatility and talent made him a respected figure in the performing arts until his passing on December 26, 2001.