James McAvoy

James McAvoy
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Name:
James McAvoy
Who is:
Birth date:
(46 y.o.)
Place of birth:
Glasgow, Scotland
Height:
5'7 ft ()
Weight:
141 lb (64 kg)
Relationship:
married
Namesakes:
Birth Sign:
(characteristic)
Chinese zodiac:
Links:

Photos: James McAvoy

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James McAvoy's biography

James McAvoy is an actor of Scottish descent, who made his film debut at 15. He is mostly known for the following films: «The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe», «Inside I'm Dancing», «Wanted», «X-Men: First Class», «Split».
Hollywood Scottish James McAvoy
Hollywood Scottish James McAvoy

Childhood

James McAvoy was born in Glasgow, Scotland in the family of Elizabeth Johnstone, a psychiatric nurse and James McAvoy, a builder. The family struggled financially, perhaps unable to handle the ongoing hardships, James' parents divorced when he was 7, after which James Jr. permanently lost contact with his father.
James McAvoy's childhood photos
James McAvoy's childhood photos
After the divorce, McAvoy's mother suffered from poor health and the family decided to leave his younger sister Joy (who sings with the band «Streetside») in her care and send James to live with his grandparents Mary and James Johnstone, who adored and spoiled their grandson.
James McAvoy with his mother
James McAvoy with his mother
As a young man, James McAvoy attended Catholic school, where he was raised strictly and in religious manners. At some time he even considered becoming a priest. He was also enrolled in lessons of an amateur theatrical circle and earned money at a bakery after school.

«I wanted to become a priest, a missionary, maybe even travel to far-off Africa in order to save people from starvation, - told the actor. – but eventually I changed my mind. I just imagined I had to wake up early in the morning at six every single day and walk to the church. Of course, I didn't mind becoming a priest but I was absolutely against getting up early. For me, that would be torture!».
In childhood James McAvoy dreamed of becoming a priest
In childhood James McAvoy dreamed of becoming a priest
Little did James know he was already walking toward his destiny. Once famous producer David Heyman was speaking in front of James' class sharing stories about life in filmmaking with the students. James was so captivated that he immediately asked for even a small role so 15-year-old McAvoy first appeared on the screens in «The Near Room», a picture about child prostitution in Glasgow.
The first role of James McAvoy («The Near Room»)
Almost as soon as filming began, James was almost disappointed in his choice and lost interest in cinema. His partner Alana Brady saved the situation. «When I felt her emotions, I was overwhelmed by this wave of inspiration», - recalled McAvoy.

After leaving school, the young actor began honing his acting skills at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. He got in easily despite fierce competition and numerous applicants. During his studies, he appeared in several film projects («Regeneration», «An Angel Passes By, «Lorna Doone»). In the year 2000, he became a graduate actor.

Acting career

After playing dozens of small roles in various projects, he landed the male lead in a low-budget melodrama called «Bollywood Queen». In the early 2000s, he performed at the youth theatre PACE, notably playing a male escort in the production «Out in the Open». The production was seen by filmmaker Joe Wright, who was blown away by McAvoy's performance. He began showering the young actor with offers, which James declined one after another.
Young McAvoy at the PACE theatre (2001)
Young McAvoy at the PACE theatre (2001)
Fast-forward six years: the actor finally agreed to work with Wright, and «Atonement» was born. James played a working-class man with big dreams who gets wrongly accused of a crime. James starred opposite Keira Knightley. The actor was nominated for the prestigious «Golden Globe» for that job.
In the photo: James McAvoy and Joe Wright
In the photo: James McAvoy and Joe Wright
Who knows where his career might have gone if he'd taken Wright's offers immediately, but in 2001, his breakthrough role was just around the corner.

The «Inside I'm Dancing» film was released in 2004 with the tag line «Live life like you mean it». In the story, Michael, a young man with cerebral palsy, moves into a care facility where he meets another resident - Rory O'Shea, played by McAvoy. Rory is practically immobile because of Duchenne muscular dystrophy but any healthy person could envy his vitality.
James McAvoy in the picture «Inside I'm Dancing»
James McAvoy in the picture «Inside I'm Dancing»
To prepare for the role, James McAvoy spent time talking with people who have disabilities. From these conversations, he learned that they hate being pitied. But mainstream audiences knew him as the faun Tumnus from the fantasy film «The Chronicles of Narnia». His character was the one who first met little Lucy when she stumbled into Narnia through the wardrobe, becoming a key figure in her journey.
A shot from «The Chronicles of Narnia»
A shot from «The Chronicles of Narnia»
Another standout role followed: Leto II Atreides in the miniseries «Frank Herbert's Children of Dune». Next, he played Wesley Gibson in the action thriller «Wanted», Russian director Timur Bekmambetov's Hollywood debut. McAvoy's character was a young office drone recruited to avenge his father's murder. His father's former colleagues train him for his mission, with the team including Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman.
McAvoy worked with Bekmambetov in the «Wanted» action thriller
McAvoy worked with Bekmambetov in the «Wanted» action thriller
In 2006, the actor appeared in «The Last King of Scotland», an adaptation of Giles Foden's novel. The film explored the dictatorship of Ugandan ruler Idi Amin from an unusual angle. The story's protagonist was a fictional Scottish doctor named Nicolas who, escaping boredom, came to work in the distant African nation and accidentally won the dictator's favor.
«The Last King of Scotland» was really filmed in Uganda
«The Last King of Scotland» was really filmed in Uganda
Forest Whitaker earned his «Oscar» with a powerful portrayal of Amin, but young James McAvoy's performance was equally beloved by audiences.

Interestingly, James McAvoy was actually considered for the lead role in the big-screen adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit." However, the filmmakers ultimately went with Martin Freeman, who better matched Tolkien's description of Bilbo Baggins.
Radcliffe and McAvoy on The Graham Norton Show
In the late 2000s, McAvoy made the bold decision to step away from his film career. He felt genuinely concerned that Hollywood wasn't allowing him to fully develop his acting abilities. For McAvoy, big-budget blockbusters had become the main obstacle to his artistic growth. "All those beautifully shot action sequences don't let me remain a complete actor," he explained.
McAvoy, first of all, considers himself an actor of theatre
McAvoy, first of all, considers himself an actor of theatre
As a result, McAvoy turned down several lucrative offers, including "Wanted 2" from director Timur Bekmambetov. He returned to Britain and announced he was taking a break from movies to focus on theater work.

Still, his blockbuster skepticism didn't stop him from taking on young Professor Charles Xavier in the fantasy thriller «X-Men: First Class» (2011). The film explored the origins of the school for gifted mutants and the beginning of the rivalry between Xavier and Magneto, played by Michael Fassbender. McAvoy returned to that character in 2014 and 2016 in the «X-Men: Days of Future Past» and «X-Men: Apocalypse».
»X-Men»: James McAvoy playing Professor Xavier
»X-Men»: James McAvoy playing Professor Xavier
In 2013, the actor took on the lead role of corrupt cop Bruce Robertson in the adaptation of Scottish writer Irvine Welsh's novel «Filth». He wasn't immediately approved for the role. When Welsh first met McAvoy, he thought the actor was too young and attractive for the character. "I went up to my room and told my wife that he wasn't right for us. When I came back down, James had transformed. His beard had somehow grown in five minutes. He'd become this angry, cruel man Bruce," recalled the writer.
Cynical Bruce Robertson played by McAvoy
Cynical Bruce Robertson played by McAvoy
He landed a wild role in the fantasy thriller «Victor Frankenstein», where James and Daniel Radcliffe brought surprising energy to Doctor Frankenstein and his hunchback assistant Igor.
A shot from the «Victor Frankenstein» filming
A shot from the «Victor Frankenstein» filming
In 2016, McAvoy showcased his incredible range in the psychological horror «Split». The role was incredibly challenging – a young man with multiple personalities. His character housed 23 completely different personalities. James starred alongside young actresses Anya Taylor-Joy and Haley Lu Richardson.
James McAvoy about his characters in «Split» (2017)
The following year brought several high-profile McAvoy releases. The spy thriller «Atomic Blonde», where he worked closely with Charlize Theron, and the romantic thriller «Submergence» opposite Swedish actress Alicia Vikander.
McAvoy got shaved for the sake of «Split»
McAvoy got shaved for the sake of «Split»
In 2018, «Deadpool 2», the Marvel comics adaptation, was released with James appearing as Professor Xavier in what amounted to an Easter egg from the filmmakers.

James McAvoy's personal life

James McAvoy was in a long-term relationship with his classmate Emma Nelson for 9 years. After their breakup, he struggled with alcohol addiction. Around the same time, the actor hit a creative low point.

James' life changed after the filming of the British series «Shameless» (don't mix it with the American remake of the same name), where he met actress Anne-Marie Duff, who played his on-screen girlfriend. She was 9 years older than her co-star. She taught James to "respect life" and helped boost his self-esteem.
James McAvoy and Anne-Marie Duff played in the «Shameless»
James McAvoy and Anne-Marie Duff played in the «Shameless»
McAvoy overcame his depression and got back on his feet. He married Anne-Marie Duff in 2006, and four years later his 39-year-old wife gave birth to their first child - son Brendan.
James McAvoy's son is called Brendan
James McAvoy's son is called Brendan
To avoid media attention, James and Anne-Marie kept her pregnancy secret, which is why their child's birth date remains unknown. News of the happy addition to the McAvoy family broke when paparazzi spotted them walking around London with their baby.
Their marriage seemed happy from the side
Their marriage seemed happy from the side
Due to his wife's pregnancy, he turned down a role in Jonathan Levine's film "50/50." Joseph Gordon-Levitt stepped in to replace him.

According to Zoomboola.com, in 2016, after 10 years of what seemed like an ideal marriage, the couple announced their divorce. But those close to the actors weren't surprised – they'd known the couple had been struggling in recent years. Young actress Alexandra Shipp, who played Storm in "X-Men," was rumored to be the cause of their split. James and Anne-Marie decided to remain friends for Brendan's sake.
The entire film crew knew about McAvoy's and Alexandra Shipp's romance
The entire film crew knew about McAvoy's and Alexandra Shipp's romance
In 2017, McAvoy met Lisa Liberati. The couple kept their romance private for a long time. However, two years later it became clear that James and Lisa had secretly married - both were spotted wearing wedding rings.
James and Lisa
James and Lisa

James McAvoy nowadays

Per his contract with Marvel, McAvoy appeared in "X-Men: Dark Phoenix," which was released in 2019. That same year saw the release of "It Chapter Two," the sequel to the horror film about Pennywise the clown, where James played the adult version of Bill Denbrough from the first film. The younger version of this character was played by Jaeden Lieberher. The filming took a psychological toll on the actor - shortly after the premiere, he admitted he'd developed a fear of clowns and sometimes dreams of Pennywise, or more specifically, Bill Skarsgård in that terrifying role.

James McAvoy: latest news and articles

  • I was really surprised when I saw James in `It`, well done.
    2021-04-18 20:08:34
  • When I saw McAvoy in X-Men, I fell in love :) I really like how he is playing his roles.
    2021-04-14 10:05:09
  • The movie Filth I like very much, McAvoy is cool there, played naturally.
    2021-03-03 12:30:14
  • I remember it was a very good movie with him `Wanted`. I think our Bekmambetov director of movies made it. In this movie also were playing Khabensky and Jolie.
    2021-02-23 09:16:22
  • In my view, in Split he made everything what is was possible, played very well there.
    2021-02-06 08:16:09
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