Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch CBE (born 19 July 1976) is an English actor and producer who has performed in film, television, theatre and radio. The son of actors Timothy Carlton and Wanda Ventham, he graduated from the University of Manchester and continued his training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, obtaining a Master of Arts in Classical Acting. He first performed for The New Shakespeare Company at Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park for two seasons.