Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy
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Name:
Tom Hardy
Who is:
,
Birth date:
(47 y.o.)
Place of birth:
London
Height:
5'9 ft ()
Weight:
168 lb (76 kg)
Relationship:
married
Namesakes:
Birth Sign:
(characteristic)
Chinese zodiac:
Links:

Photos: Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy photo 1
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+35 Photos

Tom Hardy's biography

Tom Hardy is a British actor in cinema and theatre. His filmography spans every genre imaginable: action thrillers, detective stories, criminal biopics, supernatural tales, and war dramas. He has played heroes ("Mad Max: Fury Road"), psychopaths ("Bronson"), antagonists ("The Dark Knight Rises", "The Revenant"), criminals ("Legend") or even homeless drug addicts ("Stuart: A Life Backwards"), yet even his villains remain strangely compelling. He transforms so completely for each role that audiences forget there's a real person behind the character. Net worth: $45 million.
British actor of cinema and theatre Tom Hardy
British actor of cinema and theatre Tom Hardy

Childhood and family

Edward Thomas Hardy was born on September 15, 1977, into a creative and intellectual family. His mother, Irish-born Elizabeth Barrett, was an artist, while his father Edward "Chips" Hardy was a Harvard-educated writer and screenwriter. As an only child, Tom grew up in a bohemian mansion in East Sheen, a London suburb. His mother devoted herself entirely to her son, filling his room with books and records while his parents showered him with gifts every holiday and took him on trips abroad. He first went to a private school.
Tom Hardy in youth
Tom Hardy in youth
You'd expect such a privileged upbringing to produce the perfect son, but life had other plans. "I was a naughty child. Actually, I was absolutely terrible", - recalled the actor. He felt embarrassed by his behavior in front of his parents, who were model middle-class citizens. As a sociable teenager, he made friends with not only classmates but boys from less prosperous families.
Tom Hardy with parents
Tom Hardy with parents

Drug addiction

He was eleven when a policeman visited the school and talked to the children about the harm of drugs. Surprisingly, the speech had the opposite effect on Hardy. By thirteen he was addicted to beer and had tried drugs. At the age of 15, he was expelled from school and a year after Tom had to admit he had an addiction to crack and alcohol. "I would have sold my mother for a hit," Tom told journalists. Serious legal troubles followed, culminating in an arrest for car theft (not for profit but for kicks). He managed to avoid prison just due to his father's connections.
Tom Hardy before becoming famous
Tom Hardy before becoming famous
Despite his addiction, the boy had been interested in theater from an early age. Yet in school, he played in the children's theatre and at the age of 18 he entered the Richmond Drama School by his mother's advice where he was later expelled from and entered the Drama Centre London where he was trained by the same instructor who had once taught Anthony Hopkins. His classmate was Michael Fassbender.

At the age of 21, he became a winner at "The Big Breakfast's Find Me-98" TV show and won a contract with a modeling agency.
Tom Hardy at the Big Breakfast show
In the end of the 90's he got his first role and played the weak soldier John Janovec in the "Band of Brothers" (2001) TV series. "Out of the frying pan into the fire," Hardy later described his first experience in front of the cameras beyond TV shows. He appeared in two episodes and delivered just 12 lines during the entire series.
Tom Hardy in the "Band of Brothers" TV series from the right
Tom Hardy in the "Band of Brothers" TV series from the right
Then came a few major projects, though Hardy's characters had limited dialogue. It was Ridley Scott's Oscar-winning "Black Hawk Down" starring Josh Hartnett, "The Reckoning" starring Paul Bettany and Willem Dafoe, and the actor landed one of the key roles in the military drama "Deserter."
A shot from the "Black Hawk Down"
A shot from the "Black Hawk Down"
The next notable work by the actor was the "Star Trek: Nemesis" where the actor played the Reman Praetor Shinzon, the clone of the captain of the "Enterprise" spaceship.

Throughout this entire period, Tom Hardy continued using drugs. According to the actor, he experimented extensively, including homosexual encounters, during his 15 years of drug addiction. Soon after wrapping "Star Trek," he overdosed on cocaine and suffered a collapse.
– I woke up in a pool of blood and vomit and realized it was time to quit. I was disgusted with myself. That was my wake-up call and I was reborn
The actor went to rehab and has stayed clean ever since. He channeled all that freed energy into his professional work and soon achieved unprecedented success. When asked about his rapid rise, the actor humbly jokes that he just wanted to make his father proud and acting was the only thing he was good at.

First steps towards success

Getting back on track in 2003, Tom began performing in theater. That same year, the Evening Standard honored him with the "Most Promising Newcomer" award for his roles in "In Arabia We'd All Be Kings" and "Blood." .
Tom Hardy in the "In Arabia We'd All Be Kings"
Tom Hardy in the "In Arabia We'd All Be Kings"
In 2004 he appeared in the "Layer Cake" black comedy crime film alongside Daniel Craig and in 2005 he played one of the key characters in the "The Virgin Queen" series. He portrayed the real-life statesman Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, who was Queen Elizabeth I's companion and lover. The same year he appeared in another historical drama film "Marie Antoinette" alongside Kirsten Dunst.
Tom Hardy in "The Virgin Queen" (from the left) and in "Marie Antoinette"
Tom Hardy in "The Virgin Queen" (from the left) and in "Marie Antoinette"
Critics widely consider Tom Hardy's portrayal of Stuart Shorter in the 2007 drama "Stuart: A Life Backwards" his breakthrough performance. The film adapts a book of the same name written by a friend of the real Stuart Shorter, a marginalized drug addict and alcoholic who fought for homeless rights. Originally made for television rather than theatrical release, the film reached a limited audience who witnessed Hardy's powerful portrayal of Shorter and Benedict Cumberbatch playing his friend and author of the book.
Tom Hardy took characters from his past for the "Stuart"
Tom Hardy took characters from his past for the "Stuart"
Soon Tom Hardy was seen in the "RocknRolla" crime comedy film by Guy Ritchie. The actor was given the role of a homosexual mobster, a member of the "Wild Gang" criminal group, the leader of which was played by Gerard Butler. Tom's character falls in love with him.
"RocknRolla": Tom Hardy and Idris Elba
"RocknRolla": Tom Hardy and Idris Elba

The bloom of career

In 2008 audiences were blown away by Hardy's transformation in the crime drama "Bronson", where he portrayed real-life figure Charles Bronson, a remarkably artistic maniac. The actor was unrecognizable: he'd gained over 40 pounds and grown a mustache.
Tom Hardy playing Bronson
Tom Hardy playing Bronson
Soon after the premiere, filming began on the sports drama "Warrior", where Hardy had to play a young MMA fighter alongside Joel Edgerton. He had to get in fighting shape fast. For eight weeks, his daily routine was grueling: 2 hours of boxing, 2 hours of Muay Thai, 2 hours of Jiu-Jitsu, 2 hours of choreography, and 2 hours at the gym.
– Becoming Bronson was way easier. I just ate chocolate and pizza, played video games, carried my friend up and down the stairs, grew a mustache and shaved my head.
According to Zoomboola.com, 2009 saw the release of crime drama miniseries "The Take," which starred Hardy and in 2010 Hardy first worked with Leonardo DiCaprio in Christopher Nolan's "Inception" as part of a team that infiltrates the dreams of an industrialist's son to destroy his father's empire.
Before filming the "Warrior"
Before filming the "Warrior"
Next came his role in the thriller "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" starring Gary Oldman – Hardy had always admired this titan of British acting. "Oldman is incredible. He's my number one hero. I want to mean as much to my generation as he meant to his," he said during filming. Hardy then starred in the crime drama "Lawless," transforming alongside Shia LaBeouf and Jason Clarke into three bootlegger brothers. The film was nominated for the "Palme d'Or" (Golden Palm) in Cannes.

Shortly before the film's premiere, production began on the final installment of Nolan's Batman trilogy, "The Dark Knight Rises," starring Christian Bale. Hardy played the main villain – terrorist Bane, concealing his face behind a mask. The actor had to bulk up significantly once again.
Bane VS Batman (The Dark Knight Rises)
Interestingly, Nolan chose Hardy after watching "RocknRolla," and Tom accepted the role without even reading the script – he was promised unlimited access to the stunt equipment. Indeed, to match the towering Bane, the relatively short Hardy (5'9") had to wear 4-inch shoe lifts just to avoid looking shorter than Batman.
Tom Hardy's casting for the role of Bane and Bane in the film
Tom Hardy's casting for the role of Bane and Bane in the film
Hardy's next big-budget project came six months after wrapping "The Dark Knight." It was the reboot of the post-apocalyptic Max Rockatansky series, "Mad Max: Fury Road," originally slated to begin production in 2003 with Mel Gibson reprising his role from the original trilogy. However, Gibson was tied up with "The Passion of the Christ," and the project stalled. Tom Hardy personally sought his predecessor's blessing for the role, and Gibson gave his approval.
Tom Hardy became the new Mad Max
Tom Hardy became the new Mad Max
So in 2015, audiences once again saw Hardy with a metal mask covering his face. But this time he wasn't navigating Gotham's streets but hostile wastelands, fleeing a local dictator's wrath alongside a shaved-head Charlize Theron and heavily made-up Nicholas Hoult.

That same year, Hardy played the Kray twins – two criminal bosses from 1960s London in the crime thriller "Legend" – and also appeared in the epic "The Revenant," which earned its star Leonardo DiCaprio his first and well-deserved Oscar. Hardy doesn't appear in the best light, playing the greedy and cowardly frontiersman John Fitzgerald, who left Hugh Glass for dead. Hardy was also nominated for an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor but lost to Mark Rylance from "Bridge of Spies."
"The Revenant": Tom Hardy as John Fitzgerald
"The Revenant": Tom Hardy as John Fitzgerald
Throughout 2016, the actor was busy filming two major projects: the mystical series "Taboo" (where he also served as producer and co-writer) and Christopher Nolan's new blockbuster "Dunkirk." Notably, in "Dunkirk," just as in "The Dark Knight," the actor's face was hidden beneath a pilot's mask. The director believes Hardy is so talented he can convey a full spectrum of emotions with just his eyes.
Hiding Hardy's face under a mask is already a tradition
Hiding Hardy's face under a mask is already a tradition
In 2018, Hardy joined the roster of actors working with Marvel Studios. He played journalist Eddie Brock, whose body becomes host to an alien symbiote, transforming him into Spider-Man's main antagonist – Venom. The film explores Venom's origins in detail and hints that audiences might eventually see a showdown between Tom Hardy and Tom Holland.
«Venom» starring Tom Hardy

The personal life of Tom Hardy

In 1999, Tom Hardy proposed to producer Sarah Ward, and they married just three weeks after first meeting. The whirlwind marriage proved short-lived: Sarah filed for divorce in 2004, exhausted by her husband's struggles with alcohol and drugs—despite his completing rehab and being "clean" by then—and his constant inattention.
Sarah Ward – Tom Hardy's first wife
Sarah Ward – Tom Hardy's first wife
Even before their official divorce, the couple barely spoke. In 2003, Hardy had a romance with Korean-American actress Linda Park. At "The Virgin Queen" series screenings in 2005, Tom developed feelings for director's assistant Rachael Speed. Their son Louis was born in April 2008. He lives with his mother following their separation but regularly visits his father.
Tom Hardy has a son Louis from Rachael Speed
Tom Hardy has a son Louis from Rachael Speed
In 2009 Tom Hardy started dating actress Charlotte Riley. They met while filming the Brontë adaptation "Wuthering Heights." In the script, their characters Heathcliff and Cathy Earnshaw were madly in love. Charlotte was skeptical about on-set romances but couldn't resist Tom's charm. Five years later, the couple exchanged vows.
In the photo: Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley
In the photo: Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley
In October 2015, the actor became a father for the second time when Charlotte Riley gave birth to their child. The couple chose not to reveal the child's name or gender.
The actor is a model husband and a father
The actor is a model husband and a father

Tom Hardy nowadays

In 2019, the actor took on the role of gangster Al Capone in "Capone." Fans were amazed by the intricate makeup work. The film premiered in May 2020.
Tom Hardey played Al Capone
Tom Hardey played Al Capone
The actor also continues work on the new season of the "Taboo" series. Hardy is also awaiting the start of filming for the fifth "Mad Max" installment—he signed the contract even before "Fury Road's" release. The working title of the film is "Mad Max: The Wasteland".

Tom Hardy: latest news and articles

  • He should of been the next 007
    2021-08-25 08:06:30
  • He showed himself good as an actor in the movie The Revenant, it was a pleasure to see him there.
    2021-04-23 11:29:31
  • And peaky blinders!!
    2021-04-18 23:28:26
  • Roles like Mad Max suit good for Hardy. For him it`s a good matchup.
    2021-03-27 13:12:26
  • Finally they gave Tom a normal main role, he showed up in Venom
    2021-03-21 12:07:06
  • I didn`t watch a lot of movies with him, mostly it were some secondary roles
    2021-02-23 18:56:51
  • Ohhh from the last movies with him Venom made Hardy famous. He`s got a cool role I can say, much better then The Avengers
    2021-01-21 09:56:45
  • Anything he`s in I will watch it he`s The SEXIEST MAN ALIVE WOW and thanks for bringing me all the best films Ever!!!!!!!!!
    2020-12-28 18:38:53
  • I love to see him on screen . I will always love Bob Saganoski in the Drop. I love the character. He looks happy and healthy these day and that's good. His wife is beautiful as are his children. I am a fan of his forever.
    2018-09-17 06:56:14
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