Jonathan Cake is an English actor celebrated for diverse roles, from period dramas like Rebecca and Mosley to modern hits like Desperate Housewives, and known for his compelling stage and television presence.
Early Life & Education
Jonathan James Cake was born on 31 August 1967 in Worthing, West Sussex, England. He is the youngest of three sons, born to a glassware importer (father) and a school administrator (mother).
His interest in acting sparked early; at age four, he was invited onstage during a traditional British pantomime; by age eight, he was taking drama classes and participating in plays. He later toured with the National Youth Theatre.
For formal training, he studied English at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, graduating in 1989. He then attended the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School for two years and trained with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Jonathan Cake’s Career
Jonathan Cake’s career reflects an expansive range across stage, film, and television—rooted in classical theatre and spanning popular contemporary roles.
He began his professional journey with the Royal Shakespeare Company, performing in Shakespearean works such as As You Like It (1992) and Tamburlaine the Great (1993) and in productions like Wallenstein, The Odyssey, and Beggar’s Opera.
He continued theater work with The Mill on the Floss in London (1995) and later appeared as Father Flynn in Doubt (2005), Coriolanus (2006), Cymbeline (2007), and Antony and Cleopatra (2013), showcasing both stage versatility and classical grounding.
Cake transitioned to screens with a guest role on Press Gang in 1993, followed by several TV roles, including Carrott U Like (1994), First Knight (1995), Degrees of Error, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Mosley (1998), and Noah’s Ark (1999).
He played Jack Favell in the mini-series adaptation of Rebecca (1997), Oswald Mosley in Mosley (1998), Japheth in Noah’s Ark (1999), Tynannus in Empire (2005), and Det. Chuck Vance on Desperate Housewives (2011–2012).
Other notable television appearances include Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Chuck, the Law & Order franchise, Agatha Christie’s Poirot, Extras, Six Degrees, and the crime drama The Affair.
From 2021 to 2022, Cake portrayed Shade (Richard Swift) on Stargirl; in 2025, he joined the Sex and the City spinoff And Just Like That….
He also lends his voice to video games, notably voicing characters like Darth Thanaton, Deadfall, and others in Star Wars: The Old Republic (2011), and roles in Forspoken (2023).
Personal Life
Jonathan Cake married American actress Julianne Nicholson in September 2004 in Italy. The couple has two children: a son, Ignatius Cake, born on 30 August 2007, and a daughter, Phoebe Margaret Cake, born on 30 April 2009.
Cake was previously engaged to British actress Olivia Williams for seven years before their engagement eventually ended.
Net Worth
Wikipedia does not disclose a net worth for Jonathan Cake. However, given his extensive theater background, recurring television roles, and international screen presence, he likely maintains a financially steady career typical of respected, seasoned actors in both classical and contemporary arenas.
