Full Disclosure with James O'Brien Jonathan Pryce: I was told for years that I was worthless
Jan 30, 2026
Jonathan Pryce, a veteran Welsh actor celebrated for stage and screen work, reflects on rising from a small mining village to international roles. He recounts school challenges, art school discovery, repertory theatre, breakthrough moments like Comedians and Brazil, and balancing stage, film and musicals later in life. The conversation touches on resilience, mentors, and the slow-building confidence that shaped his craft.
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School Humiliation And Later Confrontation
- At school Jonathan Pryce was regularly punished and publicly shamed by headmaster Sidney Davis, who once called him a "bottle of skinless pork sausages."
- Years later Davis visited Pryce at Stratford and falsely told him he was proud, a moment Pryce accepted politely despite earlier abuse.
From Art Student To RADA Scholarship
- Pryce planned to be an artist and applied for art degree courses but lacked O-levels, so he went to teacher training at Edge Hill and picked drama as his subsidiary subject because it was 'the least amount of work.'
- A tutor suggested RADA, he auditioned with Little Malcolm and Launce, won a scholarship and his career pivoted to acting.
How Repertory Theatre Accelerated A Career
- Repertory theatre gave Pryce rapid exposure to diverse roles and responsibilities, letting him play leads like Richard III and direct at a young age.
- The Everyman repertory system acted as a career engine, creating opportunities that led directly to regional and national recognition.