Broadbent graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in 1972 and went on to work for the Royal National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company as well as acting in Ken Campbell's epic Illuminatus (1976). He also worked with the comedy group the National Theatre of Brent, with Patrick Barlow. Broadbent is also the honorary president of the Lindsey Rural Players, whose home theatre is the Broadbent Theatre.
Broadbent made his film debut in 1978 with a tiny role in Jerzy Skolimowski's The Shout, and made his television debut the following year. He went on to work with Stephen Frears (for television, and in The Hit (1984)) and Terry Gilliam (in Time Bandits (1981) and Brazil (1985) before establishing himself in Mike Leigh's Life Is Sweet (1990). He proved his ability as a character actor in films including The Crying Game (1992), Enchanted April (1992), Bullets Over Broadway (1994), The Borrowers (1997) and Little Voice (1998) before taking a leading role in another Mike Leigh film, Topsy-Turvy (1999). He played "The Shy Doctor" in the 1999 Comic Relief parody Doctor Who sketch, Doctor Who and the Curse of Fatal Death. In 2001, Broadbent starred in three of the year's most successful films: Bridget Jones' Diary, Moulin Rouge!, for which he won a BAFTA and Iris, for which he won an Oscar for his portrayal of John Bayley. He is regarded as one of cinema's most reliable character actors and has a reputation of being very easy to work with.
Broadbent also appeared as DCI Roy "The Slag" Slater, an associate character in the enormously popular sitcom Only Fools and Horses. The character appeared in three episodes over an eight-year period. He had originally been offered the lead role of Del Trotter in the series, but he turned it down due to other commitments. Other comic roles include the lead role in the sitcom The Peter Principle and occasional guest appearances in Not The Nine O'Clock News and Victoria Wood As Seen On TV.
Broadbent played the title role in Channel 4 drama, Longford in October 2006, earning a 2007 Emmy nomination for his performance. He was portrayed in the Simpsons episode Co-Dependent's Day playing a coal miner in a fictitious film called 'The Momentum of Things'. He appeared in the original radio production of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, playing the character Vroomfondel.
Broadbent was born in Lincoln to Roy Broadbent, an artist, sculptor, interior designer, and furniture maker who turned a former church into a theatre named after him, and Dee, a sculptress.[1] Broadbent's parents were both amateur actors who co-founded the Holton Players acting troupe;[2] the two were described by the BBC as "conscientious objectors" who "worked the land" rather than participate in World War II.[1] He had a twin sister who died at birth. Broadbent was educated at Leighton Park School, a Quaker school in Reading,[3] and briefly attended art college before transferring to the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
Broadbent is married to painter and former theatre designer, Anastasia Lewis.
The Show Must Go On
Jim Broadbent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Another hero
Another mindless crime
Behind the curtain
In the pantomime
On and on
Does anybody know what we are living for?
Whatever happened?
We leave it all to chance
Another heartache
Another failed romance
On and on
Does anybody know what we are living for?
:
The show must go on
The show must go on
Outside the dawn is breaking
On the stage
That holds our final destiny...
:
The show must go on
The show must go on
:
Inside my heart is breaking
My makeup may be flaking
But my smile still stays on
:
The show must go on
The show must go on
:
Ohhhh!
:
I'll top the bill
I'll earn the kill
I have to find the will to carry. . .
:
On with the
On with the
On with the show
:
On with the show!
On with the show!
The show must go on
The lyrics of Jim Broadbent's "The Show Must Go On" signify the struggles and challenges of life that people face every day. The song begins by stating that another hero has fallen due to another mindless crime that has taken place. These actions occur behind the curtain of life, and it feels like it is someone's role in the pantomime. The lyrics ask a pertinent question, "does anybody know what we are living for?". People face heartaches, failed romances, and various pitfalls in their lives, and it seems that everything is down to chance.
However, the song takes a turn and the lyrics start speaking about the dawn breaking, which signifies a new beginning, a new way of life. While it is time for people to take their final bow, the show must go on, and they must carry on with the show, regardless of the circumstances or events that have occurred in their lives. Jim Broadbent conveys that the stage holds the final destiny of people, and the show must go on. The lyrics suggest that the show will go on, no matter what.
The song implies that Jim Broadbent remains determined to top the bill and earn the kill. He shows that he needs to find the will to carry on, and he is determined to perform well despite the challenges that he has faced. This song is an inspiration to never give up in the face of adversity and perform with passion and strength, even when life seems to be falling apart.
Line by Line Meaning
Another hero
We are constantly creating and idolizing new heroes
Another mindless crime
Unfortunately, senseless acts of violence and tragedy occur frequently
Behind the curtain
There is more to life than what is on the surface and visible to others
In the pantomime
Life can feel like a performance, with people putting on different personas and roles
On and on
Life continues without pause or break
Does anybody know what we are living for?
At times, life can feel directionless and purposeless, leaving people wondering what their ultimate goal is
Whatever happened?
Events in life can be unpredictable and take unexpected turns
We leave it all to chance
Often, we have little control over what happens and have to accept things as they unfold
Another heartache
Painful emotions and experiences can be recurring themes in life
Another failed romance
Relationships can be difficult and sometimes end in disappointment
The show must go on
Life moves forward no matter what obstacles or challenges come our way
Outside the dawn is breaking
While we may feel burdened or overwhelmed, the world around us continues to evolve and change
On the stage
Life is like a performance, with each of us taking on different roles and responsibilities
That holds our final destiny...
Our future is unclear and unknown, and only time will reveal what is ultimately in store for us
Inside my heart is breaking
Emotions can be intense and overwhelming, taking a toll on our mental and emotional health
My makeup may be flaking
Even when we look put-together on the outside, we may be struggling on the inside
But my smile still stays on
Despite our struggles and pain, we can choose to put on a brave face and keep moving forward
I'll top the bill
I will be the best, the one to watch and admire
I'll earn the kill
I will succeed, even if it takes everything I have
I have to find the will to carry...
I must muster the motivation and determination to keep going, despite any setbacks or difficulties
On with the show!
No matter what happens, we must keep going and continue living
The show must go on
Life is unpredictable, but we must persevere and keep moving forward no matter what happens
Contributed by Christian W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.