Born in Delhi, India, between an English father and an Austrian mother

Radford has a son Felix (born 1991) from his first marriage to Iseult Teran. He also has a daughter Amaryllis (born 2005), and a son Linus (born 2010), with his current wife Emma Tweed.

In addition to English (his first language), he speaks fluent Spanish, French, Italian, and some Mandarin.

In September 2013, he took part in the Clipper Round the World Sailing Race, in which he raced one of 12 identical 70 foot racing yachts from London to Rio.

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After studying in Oxford, he became a teacher, but a few years later he entered the National Film School. Produced documentary film at BBC from 1976 to 1982. Directed the first feature film in 1983. In 1994, Il Postino was highly acclaimed in Italy and was nominated for multiple Academy Awards.