Richard Burbage

Born in 1571, Richard was younger son of the entrepreneur James Burbage. The Chamberlain's Men's primary lead, and a great box office draw, Richard played all Shakespeare's most celebrated lead roles – Hamlet, Othello and King Lear. He was a close friend of the poet and was even remembered in his will.

His acting style might be nearest compared with the method actors of today in that he assumed the identity of his character and maintained it, not only through the delivery of the lines but also in the space in between.

He died in 1619.