He began his studies at Sheborne Scholl, an independent school in the market town of Sheborne (Dorset), to continue at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge University, completing his education at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. Bonneville is also a former member of the National Youth Theater.
His first stage performance was at the Open Air Theater festival in London’s Regent’s Park. In 1987 he joined the National Theater working on numerous plays and in 1991 he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company where he played roles such as those of Laertes in the “Hamlet” from Kenneth branagh; It was also Valentine on “The Two Gentlemen of Verona“, Bergetto on “‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore” Y Kastril and Surly on “The alchemist“.
In 1990 he made his debut on English television, participating in numerous series, in different recurring and leading roles. Between them, Bonneville (who originally appeared in the credits as Richard Bonneville), was Rick baynes on “Dodgem“, Alan Sinclair on “The Vet“, Steve Hollingsworth on “Married for life” Y Bob boothby on “Mosley“.
Already in the new millennium, he headed the cast of the series “The Cazalets” Y “The Robinsons“; also played Julian on “Courting Alex” and went Mr. Bennet on “Lost in austen“. More recently, Hugh he was the narrator of the reality shows “Ruth Watson’s Hotel Rescue“, issued in 2009; and”Country House Rescue“Also released in 2009 and is currently in its third season.
Currently, Bonneville is playing Lord Robert Crawley in the second season of the six award-winning series Emmy, “Downton abbey” written and directed by Julian Fellowes.
His first feature film dates from 1994, when he played Schiller on “Frankenstein by Mary Shelley“; among his most prominent roles. In the almost thirty feature films he has filmed, there are those made in the tapes”{movie: Notting Hill}“(1999), in which she had the role of Bernie, one of the friends of the character of Hugh grant; and in “Mansfield Park, of the same year, in the role of Mr. Rushworth.
In 2001 he got the role of John bayley in his youth (which was played in his adulthood by Jim Broadbent), in the biographical drama “Iris: Indelible Memories“(2001), whose cast completed Judi Dench Y Kate winslet. For this performance, Bonneville won the New Talent award at the Berlin International Film Festival and received nominations for the BAFTA and European Film Awards.
Soon the actor will be able to be seen in the skin of the famous novel character Captain nemo in the film of the same name that is in the production stage, and whose premiere is scheduled for 2012; He has also recently completed filming for “Hippie Hippie Shake“, a comedy set in the 1960s, whose cast is headed by Cillian Murphy Y Sienna miller.
In his personal life, he and his wife Lulu evans, whom he married in November 1998, they have a son. Bonneville collaborates with several charitable organizations, among them, the Scene & Heard of London dedicated to unite groups of young people in different theater projects that later are interpreted by professional actors; and with the Medical Emergency Relief International.