He is known as an actor and comedian for his various roles on film, TV and stage. His debut film was The Sender, (1982), a horror feature in which he played a patient. His next film was The Bounty, (1984) with Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins. He has also appeared in Henry V (1989) and In the Bleak Midwinter (1995), both directed by Kenneth Branagh, his friend and frequent collaborator. The two met at RADA in 1979.
He continues to appear in "Stella Street" (1997) in which he plays a variety of middle-aged actors, alongside Phil Cornwell.
One of his most memorable performances to date is the role of Dr. Prunesquallor in "Gormenghast" (2000) (mini), the BBC's lavish production of Mervyn Peake's novels "Titus Groan" and "Gormenghast".
Onstage he has appeared in many productions, and performed numerous one-man shows. His ability to improvise landed him a spot as the first regular contestant on _"Whose Line is it Anyway?" (1988). It was here that he earned his reputation for being a bit of a swot, due to the fact that he obviously has great literary knowledge.
He has recently appeared on the BBC Radio 4 show "Dead Man Talking", as various "dead" characters, including Robert Oppenheimer and Michelangelo.
Grumps of John Sessions
driven to distraction by body-piercing
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