Shaun Mark Bean (born 17 April 1959), credited professionally as Sean Bean (/ˈʃɔːn ˈbiːn/), is an English actor. After graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Bean made his professional debut in a theatre production of Romeo and Juliet in 1983. Retaining his Yorkshire accent, he first found mainstream success for his portrayal of Richard Sharpe in the ITV series Sharpe.