On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, from Sir Gary Oldman to Sir Paul McCartney, discover the exclusive list of just 42 legendary British actors and singers knighted for their extraordinary contributions to drama and music since 1990.
Since 1990, only 25 actors and 17 singers have been awarded the rare honour of Knight Bachelor specifically for their contributions to drama or music. The title, which allows recipients to style themselves “Sir”, is one of the highest recognitions a British performer can receive from the Crown and carries no financial reward—only the prestige of national acknowledgment for a lifetime of artistic achievement and, in many cases, charitable work.
The most recent recipient is Gary Oldman, the first actor to be knighted by King Charles III. Researchers at QR Code Generator scanned 71 issues of The Gazette, published between 1990 and 2025 to discover 42 men who have received this distinction over the past 35 years. Here, you’ll find a complete guide to every actor and singer knighted since 1990.
Every Actor And Singer Knighted For Services To Drama Or Music Since 1990
Sir Gary Oldman (2025)
The Oscar-winning chameleon of British acting became the first actor knighted during the reign of King Charles III. Known for transformative performances as Sid Vicious, Beethoven, Churchill, and George Smiley, Oldman received the honour purely for services to drama, underscoring his status as one of the most respected character actors of his generation. The investiture was conducted by Prince William in October 2025.
Sir Roger Daltrey (2025)
The powerhouse voice of The Who was recognised for services to music and to charity, particularly his decades-long patronage of the Teenage Cancer Trust, which has raised tens of millions for young cancer patients. Already a CBE since 2005, the knighthood marked a fitting capstone to a career that helped define British rock.
Sir Brian May (2023)
The Queen guitarist, astrophysicist, and animal-welfare campaigner became the first singer knighted by King Charles III. May’s intricate harmonies and orchestral guitar work shaped some of rock’s most enduring anthems, while his post-Queen advocacy—especially against fox hunting and badger culling—earned him widespread respect beyond music.
Sir Jonathan Pryce (2021)
The last actor knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, Pryce received the honour for services to drama and charity. His extraordinary range—from High Sparrow in Game of Thrones to his Olivier and Tony-winning stage roles—culminated in a poignant post-knighthood portrayal of Prince Philip in The Crown’s fifth season.
Sir David Suchet (2020)
Best known worldwide as Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot, Suchet’s meticulous 25-year embodiment of the Belgian detective remains one of television’s great performances. His knighthood recognised a broader career that spans Shakespearean theatre and extensive charity work.
Sir Simon Russell Beale (2019)
Widely regarded as one of the finest stage actors of his generation, Beale has collected Oliviers for roles in Candide, Uncle Vanya, and Privates on Parade. His knighthood celebrated a career devoted almost entirely to theatre and the classical repertoire.
Sir Simon Keenlyside (2018)
One of the leading baritones of his era, Keenlyside has excelled in roles from Mozart to Britten at the world’s great opera houses. His knighthood recognised a voice and dramatic intensity that have made him a favourite at the Royal Opera House and the Metropolitan Opera.
Sir Barry Gibb (2018)
The last surviving Bee Gee brother received the honour for services to music and charity. As the architect of the falsetto-driven sound that defined disco and pop for decades, Gibb’s songwriting catalogue—including over a thousand songs—remains one of the most successful in history.
Sir Ringo Starr (2018)
The Beatles’ drummer became the last member of the Fab Four to be knighted, 21 years after Paul McCartney. Recognised purely for services to music, his distinctive style and dry Scouse humour helped shape the sound and personality of the biggest band in history.
Sir Mark Rylance (2017)
The three-time Tony and Oscar winner, revered for his intimate, almost mystical stage presence, was honoured for services to theatre. His transformative performances for the Globe, the RSC, and in films such as Bridge of Spies cemented his reputation as a theatrical genius.
Sir Bryn Terfel (2017)
The Welsh bass-baritone’s towering voice and charisma have made him the pre-eminent Wotan and Falstaff of his generation. His knighthood celebrated an international opera career that has brought Welsh talent to the world’s greatest stages.
Sir Ray Davies (2017)
The Kinks’ frontman and chief songwriter received recognition for services to the arts. His acutely observed, quintessentially British songs—Waterloo Sunset, Lola, Days—form one of rock’s most literate and enduring bodies of work.
Sir Rod Stewart (2016)
Already a CBE, the gravel-voiced rocker was knighted for services to music and charity. From the raw R&B of his early days with the Jeff Beck Group through decades of pop-rock hits, Stewart’s career spans over half a century of chart success.
Sir Lenny Henry (2015)
The comedian, actor, and co-founder of Comic Relief was honoured for services to drama and charity. Having evolved from impressionist sketches to serious Shakespearean roles, Henry has used his platform to raise hundreds of millions for good causes.
Sir Van Morrison (2015)
The enigmatic Belfast maestro was recognised for services to the music industry and tourism in Northern Ireland. His fusion of R&B, jazz, and Celtic soul produced timeless works including Astral Weeks and Moondance.
Sir John Hurt (2015)
The veteran character actor, known for unforgettable roles in Midnight Express, The Elephant Man, and as the War Doctor in Doctor Who, received one of his final accolades before his death in 2017.
Sir Daniel Day-Lewis (2014)
The only man to win three Best Actor Oscars was knighted for services to drama. His ferocious commitment to roles—from Christy Brown to Abraham Lincoln—redefined screen acting.
Sir Patrick Stewart (2010)
The Royal Shakespeare Company titan who became a global icon as Captain Picard and Professor X was honoured for services to drama, recognising both his classical roots and popular cultural impact.
Sir Christopher Lee (2009)
The towering horror legend and Saruman actor received a long-overdue knighthood for services to drama and charity, crowning a seven-decade career that spanned Hammer films to Lord of the Rings.
Sir Tom Jones (2006)
The Voice of Wales, whose powerful baritone produced hits across six decades, was knighted for services to music after decades of international success.
Sir Mick Jagger (2002)
The Rolling Stones frontman became a knight for services to popular music, an honour that acknowledged both his provocative stage persona and the band’s status as Britain’s longest-running rock institution.
Sir Ben Kingsley (2002)
The Oscar winner for Gandhi received recognition for a career that ranges from towering historical figures to quiet intensity in films such as Schindler’s List and Sexy Beast.
Sir Michael Caine (2000)
The London-born icon, twice Oscar-winning for Hannah and Her Sisters and The Cider House Rules, was knighted for services to drama in a career that defined British cool on screen.
Sir Sean Connery (2000)
The first cinematic James Bond received the honour for services to film drama, capping a career that took him from 007 to Oscar glory for The Untouchables.
Sir Ian Holm (1998)
The versatile actor whose roles ranged from Bilbo Baggins to Harold Abrahams in Chariots of Fire was honoured for services to drama.
Sir Elton John (1998)
Already a CBE for charitable services, the pop supernova was knighted for music and fundraising, having raised hundreds of millions for AIDS research.
Sir Michael Gambon (1998)
Best known globally as Dumbledore, Gambon’s earlier stage and screen work—including The Singing Detective—earned him recognition as one of Britain’s finest character actors.
Sir Paul McCartney (1997)
The first Beatle to be knighted (as a musician rather than through the Order of the British Empire), recognised simply for services to music.
Sir Anthony Hopkins (1993)
The Welsh acting titan, Oscar-winner for The Silence of the Lambs, received early recognition for a career that would later include like few others.
Sir Ian McKellen (1991)
The classical theatre giant and later Gandalf/Magneto was honoured for services to the performing arts at the relatively young age of 51.
Sir Peter Ustinov (1990)
The polymath actor, writer, and UNICEF ambassador rounded out the list with a knighthood for his multifaceted contributions to drama and humanitarian causes.
These 42 men represent the pinnacle of British performing arts over the past three decades—an exclusive club whose members have collectively shaped stage, screen, and popular music in ways that continue to resonate worldwide.
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