Mark Strong (born 30 August 1963) is an English actor, with a body of work in both films and television. He has performed in films as varied as Body of Lies, Syriana, The Young Victoria, Sherlock Holmes, RocknRolla, Stardust, Kick-Ass, and Green Lantern. He often depicts villains or antagonists, such as Lord Blackwood in Sherlock Holmes, Prince Septimus in Stardust, Frank D'Amico in Kick-Ass, and Sir Godfrey in Robin Hood. Most recently, he has appeared in the 2012 film John Carter, playing yet another villain, Matai Shang. Strong was born Marco Giuseppe Salussolia in London, to an Austrian mother, Waltraud D. (née Schrempf), and an Italian father, Giuseppe A. Salussolia. His father left the family soon after his birth, and he was raised by his mother, who worked as an au pair. He attended Wymondham College, where he sang in a punk band called Private Party. His English name is not a stage name; it was changed by deed poll by his mother when he was a boy to help him fit in with his peers. He was baptized a Catholic. He speaks fluent German and some Italian. Strong attended Wymondham College in Norfolk.