Colin Firth on "60 Minutes"

With 12 Oscar nominations, "The King's Speech" is among the most nominated films of all time. It has become the film to beat on Oscar night, and Colin Firth is now the odds-on favorite to win best actor for his critically acclaimed portrayal of King George VI.

"The King's Speech" is based on the true story of George VI, a man who in the 1930s desperately did not want to be king. He was afflicted nearly all his life by a crippling stammer. With the help of speech therapist Lionel Logue, the king was able to largely overcome his stutter.

Lionel Logue's grandson Mark found letters between the king and the therapist, as well as diaries and appointment cards, which helped provide historical perspective to the filmmakers.

Geoffrey Rush, left, portrays Lionel Logue in "The King's Speech."

Geoffrey Rush, portraying speech therapist Lionel Logue in "The King's Speech."

Rush has also been nominated for an Academy Award for his supporting role in "The King's Speech."

For the "60 Minutes" interview, Colin Firth, left, took "60 Minutes" correspondent Scott Pelley back to his hometown of Alresford in Hampshire.

Firth told Pelley he found his calling for acting at the age of 14. The son of college professors, Firth dropped out of high school to go to acting school.

Colin Firth has done 42 films in 26 years, most of them the polar opposite of "The King's Speech," like the musical film "Mamma Mia!"

Recently, Firth was immortalized with a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame and brought along his Italian wife Livia. They've been married 14 years and have two sons.