Sir David Mark Rylance Waters, known professionally as Mark Rylance, is an acclaimed English actor, playwright, and theatre director. Born on 18 January 1960, he has established a profound influence on both stage and screen. He is lauded for his numerous awards, including an Academy Award, three BAFTA Awards, two Olivier Awards, and three Tony Awards. In 2016, he was included in the Time 100 list of the world's most influential people, and in 2017, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.

Rylance was the first artistic director of Shakespeare's Globe in London between 1995 and 2005. His early roles span from 'Prospero's Books' (1991) to 'The Other Boleyn Girl' (2008). He received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Rudolf Abel in Steven Spielberg's 'Bridge of Spies' (2015). His television roles equally earned him acclaim, notably his role as Thomas Cromwell in the 2015 BBC mini-series 'Wolf Hall'. Rylance is an active patron of several organisations, including the London International Festival of Theatre and Peace Direct.