Charles Dance is an English actor, screenwriter and director. Charles Dance was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

He is the son of Eleanor and Walter. Charles attended Widey Technical School for Boys. Charles Dance wanted to go for a career in graphic design after graduating from the Plymouth College of Art.

He married Joanna Haythorn in 1970 and they had two children. After his marriage with Joanna Haythorn ended in 2004, Dance had a relationship with Sophia Myles.