Taron Egerton is a Welsh actor known for his roles in the films "Kingsman: The Secret Service" and "Robin Hood," as well as his brilliant portrayal of Elton John in the biographical drama "Rocketman."
British actor Taron Egerton
Childhood and Adolescence
Taron Egerton was born on November 10, 1989, in the small town of Birkenhead in the northwest of England. The actor's name is a variation of the Welsh name "Taran," which means "thunder." Although Taron was born in England, he considers himself Welsh (incidentally, his grandmother was Welsh), speaks Welsh fluently, and speaks in English with a slight Welsh accent.
Taron Egerton as a child
Egerton's father managed a small hotel, and his mother worked in social services. The boy spent his early childhood on the Wirral Peninsula, and later Taron's family moved to the Welsh village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyll on the island of Anglesey, where the boy started first grade.
Taron Egerton's childhood photo
When Egerton was 12, his family moved to the Welsh town of Aberystwyth.
I was a cheeky kid, but I almost had no problems at school. I probably just thought I was a troublemaker.
After finishing school, Egerton was admitted to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, from which he graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Taron Egerton on His Early Days at Acting School
Acting Career
In 2012, Edgerton made his debut in the comedy play "The Last of the Haussmans," where he had the fortune to work with renowned theater and film actors such as Julie Walters, Rory Kinnear, and Helen McCrory.
Taron Edgerton on stage at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre
In 2013, the actor appeared in a minor role in two episodes of the series "Lewis," and a year later, he won the hearts of fans by playing the lead role in the series "The Smoke." Taron's character, Dennis "Asbo" Severs, is a grim, introverted, and sensitive young man trying to act maturely. Many viewers singled out Edgerton among the cast of the series, noting his compelling performance.
Taron Edgerton in the series 'The Smoke'
Edgerton's first feature film, the historical drama "Testament of Youth" starring Alicia Vikander and Kit Harington, received high praise from critics. However, Edgerton attracted much more attention by starring in the action comedy "Kingsman: The Secret Service."
A frame from the movie 'Testament of Youth'
More than 60 actors auditioned for the role of Eggsy, a marine who is offered the chance to become an agent of a secret independent organization. Jack O'Connell and John Boyega were among those vying for the role in this ambitious project, but the director preferred Edgerton. The role became the Welsh actor's calling card, making him known to the world in just a few days.
'Kingsman: The Secret Service': Taron Edgerton as Eggsy
Edgerton's next film, "Legend" (2015), broke traditional box office records for the season and entered the top list of the highest-grossing films in the UK. The main role in the story of the twins Reggie and Ronnie Kray, iconic figures in the British criminal world of the 1960s, was played by Tom Hardy. Edgerton played Edward Smith, a psychopathic homosexual who disappeared (presumably murdered) shortly before the brothers' arrest.
Taron Edgerton and Tom Hardy on the set of 'Legend'
In 2016, the film "Eddie the Eagle" was released with Edgerton in the lead role. The inspiring story of the clumsy ski jumper Eddie, nicknamed "The Eagle," who became famous for his failures, was partly based on real events. Taron's coach was played by Hugh Jackman. In the UK, the film grossed $12.8 million, making "Eddie the Eagle" the highest-grossing British film released in 2016.
'Eddie the Eagle': Taron Edgerton played an unlucky ski jumper
Also in 2016, Taron participated in the voice acting of the animated film "Sing," voicing and singing as Johnny, a teenage gorilla who dreams of becoming a musician, contrary to his father's plans. In March 2017, a 4-minute musical animated film "Love at First Sight" was released, one of whose characters was voiced by Edgerton.
Taron voiced Johnny the gorilla from 'Sing'
In 2017, "Kingsman: The Golden Circle" (a sequel directed by Matthew Vaughn) was released, with Taron once again playing the lead role. The actor transformed into the famous Robin of Loxley, better known as Robin Hood, in the movie "Robin Hood." However, the film, released in 2018, failed at the box office, and Edgerton later admitted that he was unhappy with the filming process, so the failure was not a surprise to him. When signing the contract, he had expected a completely different concept.
Taron Edgerton as Robin Hood
Another film featuring him, the drama "Billionaire Boys Club," faced a grim fate the same year due to the studio's refusal to reshoot the film without Kevin Spacey, who was accused of sexual harassment. According to official data, the film grossed less than fifteen hundred dollars in the American box office.
A shot from the movie 'Billionaire Boys Club'
In the winter of 2019, it was announced that Taron Edgerton would play Elton John in the biopic "Rocketman." The film was predicted to have a big future at least because its director was Dexter Fletcher, who had previously produced "Bohemian Rhapsody." After a series of setbacks, Taron immersed himself in the work.
Taron Edgerton as Elton John
Preparing for the role, Taron spent a lot of time with the iconic musician and his friends and also spoke with him one-on-one. Elton told him about his life, adventures, and lessons learned. Taron listened not only to Elton John's music but also to the music that made him who he is today.
...Elton and I spent a lot of time in my apartment, listening to vinyl and watching videos of his concerts... That's how I immersed myself in his world... Playing Elton John, in every sense and with all due respect, was surreal. Sometimes it was even scary, but undoubtedly, it's a huge honor
Elton insisted that the actor reinterpret his songs to better understand his life, rather than "copy" them and his style (Taron performed all the vocal parts in the film himself). Although the film did not replicate the triumph of "Bohemian Rhapsody," it received high ratings from viewers and an Oscar for the song "I'm Gonna Love Me Again," which the actor and musician later sang as a duet. Edgerton received his first Golden Globe for the role.
Elton John and Taron Edgerton – 'I'm Gonna Love Me Again' (Live)
In the summer of 2022, viewers saw Taron in the lead role in the miniseries "Black Bird." It tells the story of James Keene, a real person who was offered freedom in exchange for extracting a confession from a suspected serial killer.
A shot from the miniseries 'Black Bird'
Taron Egerton's Personal Life
For about six years, since 2016, Egerton dated Emily Thomas, a director's assistant. In April 2022, it was revealed that they had split up. Taron removed all their photos together from social media.
Taron Egerton and Emily Thomas
When asked what he looks for in a future girlfriend, the actor once said in an interview that she should be "quite attractive and funny." He also joked that she should have a big butt: "I have a big butt. I can't be with a woman who has a small butt, you know what I mean? There wouldn't be balance."
Taron Egerton Tells Us About His Firsts
Egerton has been listed twice in GQ magazine’s top-50 of Britain's best-dressed men.
Taron Egerton now
In 2023, Taron Egerton played programmer Hank Rogers, who travels to the USSR during its twilight era to meet Soviet engineer Alexey Pajitnov (played by Russian actor Nikita Efremov), the inventor of Tetris, and to acquire the game's rights.
Taron Egerton and Nikita Efremov on the set of 'Tetris'
In the summer of the same year, it was announced that Egerton had been confirmed for the lead role in Nick Rowland's action film "She Rides Shotgun". Additionally, he landed the main role in the Netflix thriller "Carry-On" and signed on to star in the third installment of "Kingsman" titled "Blue Blood". Preparation for filming began in January 2024.
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Annette Bell
2021-05-01 23:05:43
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Joan Weber
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