Raymond Andrew Winstone was born on 19^th February 1957 in Hackney, London, England. When he was seven he moved to Enfield where his parents ran a fruit and vegetable business.

When he was twelve he took up boxing and went on to be three times London Schoolboy Cahmpion over the next ten years. He also fought for England twice.

During his time boxing he also developed a passion for acting and when he was seventeen, he enrolled at the Corona School. His time there wasn't happy and he was eventually expelled for sabotaging the headmistress's car.

That same week he won a part in the cult British film, 'Scum', which is set in a borstal. This film was where he first spoke the now famous line, "Who's the daddy now?" after having beaten another inmate with a sock full of snooker balls.

In 1979, while working on the production of, 'That Summer', Ray met and married Elaine, his wife of more than twenty years. That same year he also starred in another cult classic, 'Quadrophenia' with Sting and Leslie Ash.

After that he only managed to win minor roles in TV productions. Then in 1994, he landed the role of Simon in Ken Loach's gritty drama, 'Ladybird, Ladybird'.

In 1997, he starred with comedienne/actress and friend, Kathy Burke, in the drama, 'Nil By Mouth'. His portrayal of brutal alcoholic, wife-beater, Ray, won him a BAFTA nomination.

Two years later, he appeared in two very different roles, again showing his versatility. His known talent for playing complex and often violent characters, has Ray chosen by Tim Roth to star in his controversial debut movie, 'The War Zone'. The drama deals with rape and incest and does take it's toll on Mr. Winstone who claimed it was the most difficult role he'd ever played.

By contrast, he also starred in the romantic comedy, 'Fanny and Elvis', alongside Kerry Fox. In this, he played a man who's wife leaves him after having an affair. He then moves in as a lodger with the 'other man's' wife and they eventually fall in love.

Also that year, he returned to TV in the critically acclaimed series, 'Births, Marriages and Deaths'.

Year 2000, saw him in the charming drama, 'There's Only One Jimmy Grimble'. Here, he had to play a Manchester City supporter, which any football/soccer fan will tell you is hard to do convincingly when you support another team! Mr. Winstone is a West Ham fan.

He obtained further success as a retired mobster opposite, Ben Kingsley in, 'Sexy Beast'.

Most recently, Mr. Winstone has worked with Dougray Scott in, 'Ripley's Game' and has again starred with, Kathy Burke in, 'The Martins'.