Charlie Hunnam

Charles Matthew Hunnam was born in Newcastle upon Tyne on 10 April 1980,{{cite web| url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/charlie-hunnam/bio/144223| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113164136/http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/charlie-hunnam/bio/144223| title=Charlie Hunnam: Biography| work=TV Guide| archive-date=13 November 2014| access-date=14 May 2018}} the son of Jane Bell, a ballet dancer and business owner, and William Hunnam. One of his grandmothers was a portrait artist.{{cite web |url=http://www.showbizjunkies.com/tv/charlie-hunnam-interview-sons-of-anarchy-interview/ |title=Charlie Hunnam on Sons of Anarchy, Pacific Rim, and Henry David Thoreau |first=Fred |last=Topel |date=2 September 2013 |website=Showbizjunkies.com |access-date=27 November 2013}} He has said that his mother "did a very good job" of being a single parent.{{cite news |title=Hollywood Blonde |newspaper=Evening Standard |author=Rivkin, Annabell |date=2 September 2005}}{{cite news| url=http://www.courier.co.uk/High-Street-card-shop-best-UK/story-12826242-detail/story.html| newspaper=Kent and Sussex Courier| title=High Street card shop one of the best in UK| date=24 June 2011|access-date=3 February 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223035152/http://www.courier.co.uk/High-Street-card-shop-best-UK/story-12826242-detail/story.html| archive-date=23 February 2014| url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=http://www.nerdist.com/2013/07/nerdist-podcast-charlie-hunnam |title=Nerdist Podcast: Charlie Hunnam |date=8 July 2013 |website=Nerdist |access-date=27 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115092728/http://www.nerdist.com/2013/07/nerdist-podcast-charlie-hunnam/ |archive-date=15 November 2013 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV47-V5HN |title=Person Details for Charles Matthew Hunnam, "England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008" |website=FamilySearch.org |url-access=subscription |access-date=24 July 2015}} He has an older brother named William and two younger half brothers on his mother's side named Oliver and Christian.{{cite news |url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/Charlie-Hunnam/8379409836 |title=Charlie Hunnam Facebook fansite |access-date=27 November 2013}}{{Primary source inline|date=September 2023}}{{cite web |url=http://www.shockya.com/news/2012/10/11/exclusive-charlie-hunnam-talks-321-frankie-go-boom-internet-piracy-more/ |title=Exclusive: Charlie Hunnam Talks 3,2,1... Frankie Go Boom, Internet Piracy, More |date=11 October 2012 |access-date=27 November 2013}}

At age 12, when his mother remarried, the family moved to Melmerby in Cumbria. He attended Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith, from which he was later expelled. During his adolescence, he played rugby and fought with his classmates.{{cite web |url=http://www.freep.com/usatoday/article/2756803 |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |title=Who is Charlie Hunnam? |access-date=27 November 2013 |archive-date=15 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015165920/http://www.freep.com/usatoday/article/2756803 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |last=Coleman |first=Phil |url=http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/charlie-hunnam-who-grew-up-in-north-cumbria-lands-lead-role-in-fifty-shades-of-grey-movie-1.1082404 |newspaper=News & Star |location=Carlisle |title=Charlie Hunnam Who Grew Up in North Cumbria Lands Lead Role in Fifty Shades of Grey Movie |url-status=dead |access-date=27 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002064707/http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/charlie-hunnam-who-grew-up-in-north-cumbria-lands-lead-role-in-fifty-shades-of-grey-movie-1.1082404 |archive-date=2 October 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/charlie-hunnam-coming-home-new-1417073 |newspaper=Evening Chronicle |location=Newcastle Upon Tyne |title=Charlie Hunnam coming home for new movie role |access-date=20 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022031528/http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/charlie-hunnam-coming-home-new-1417073 |archive-date=22 October 2013 }} After that, instead of going to university, he decided to go to the Cumbria College of Art and Design in Carlisle (now part of the University of Cumbria) to study performing arts. He graduated with a dual degree in film theory and film history with a side in performing arts. He planned to write and direct his own films.{{cite web |url=http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/AboutUs/Alumni/Features/Profiles/Home.aspx |title=Meet the Alumni |website=University of Cumbria |access-date=27 November 2013 |archive-date=26 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160626232957/http://cumbria.ac.uk/AboutUs/Alumni/Features/Profiles/Home.aspx |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |work=The Tonight Show with Jay Leno |publisher=NBC |title=Appearance |date=17 July 2013}}

Hunnam was discovered at the age of 17 in a branch of JD Sports on Christmas Eve, while playing around with his brother during a trip to buy shoes. A production manager for the Newcastle-based teen drama Byker Grove approached Hunnam and he was later cast in his first role as Jason for three episodes of the show. He also had a brief modelling career where he did a photo shoot for Kangol Caps and then decided modelling was not for him.{{cite web|url=https://www.gq.com/story/charlie-hunnam-calvin-klein-reveal-interview |title=Charlie Hunnam on His Calvin Klein Campaign, Leaving Sons of Anarchy, and His Next Not-So-Big Role |first=Jon |last=Roth |date=21 February 2016 |magazine=GQ}}{{cite web |url=http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/movies/charlie-hunnam-300975.html |title=Charlie Hunnam Q&A |website=Female First |date=11 July 2013}} Hunnam's first major role came at age 18 when he was cast by Russell T Davies as 15-year-old schoolboy Nathan Maloney in Davies' Channel 4 drama Queer as Folk.{{cite news |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/charlie-hunnam-the-queer-as-folk-star-has-grown-into-a-burly-biker-with-a-toprated-cable-show-1951666.html |title=Charlie Hunnam: The Queer as Folk star has grown into a burly biker with a top-rated cable show |author=Holmes, Barry J |date=25 April 2010 |work=The Independent |location=London |access-date=30 June 2012}} He followed this up with his role as Daz in the film Whatever Happened to Harold Smith? (1999) and then moved to the United States. Hunnam was heavily considered by George Lucas for the role of Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, but following an awkward in-person interview with George Lucas, and producers, ultimately wasn't cast.{{Cite web |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=2023-12-18 |title=Charlie Hunnam Had ‘Very Awkward’ Meeting With George Lucas to Play Anakin Skywalker, Walked Out Knowing ‘I’m Definitely Not’ Getting the Role |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/charlie-hunnam-star-wars-meeting-anakin-skywalker-george-lucas-1235844146/ |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Gaughan |first=Liam |date=2023-12-29 |title=Charlie Hunnam Blew His Chance To Play Anakin Skywalker |url=https://collider.com/star-wars-anakin-skywalker-charlie-hunnam/ |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=Collider |language=en}}

His career expanded to include a recurring role as Gregor Ryder in the WB series Young Americans. He then appeared in the short-lived Fox series Undeclared as a British drama student called Lloyd Haythe. Despite critical acclaim, the series was cancelled after one season. Hunnam then appeared on the large screen in Abandon (2002), Nicholas Nickleby (2002), and Cold Mountain (2003). Hunnam stated he did not wish to simply take any role offered to him, saying, "I have 60 years to make the money, but the choices I make in the next five years are really going to define my career."

This decision resulted in his return to the UK to take the lead role of Pete Dunham in the film Green Street (2005); however, his attempt at delivering a Cockney accent resulted in his inclusion in many critics' "worst accents in movie history" lists.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/8497415/Mel-Gibson-joins-the-worst-Cockney-accent-film-set.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/8497415/Mel-Gibson-joins-the-worst-Cockney-accent-film-set.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph | location=London |title=Worst Cockney Accent Film Set |access-date=27 November 2013}}{{cbignore}} Hunnam said his role as Patric, a member of "The Fishes" in Children of Men (2006), was the final part in his "trilogy of mad men": "I played the psycho in Cold Mountain, my character in Green Street Hooligans is fairly psychotic and now I've got this role."{{cite web |url=http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/sundaysun/news/tm_method=full%26objectid=17289732%26siteid=50081-name_page.html |title=Homesick in Hollywood |publisher=IC Newcastle |date=25 June 2006 |access-date=30 May 2012}}{{dead link|date=September 2013}}

File:Charlie Hunnam by Gage Skidmore.jpg in July 2010]]

From 2008 to 2014, Hunnam starred in Sons of Anarchy as Jackson "Jax" Teller leader of SAMCRO, a prominent motorcycle club set in the fictional town of Charming, California. Hunnam was cast after Kurt Sutter, the creator of the show, saw him in Green Street Hooligans.{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/sons-of-anarchy--wheels-on-fire-1680900.html| title=Sons of Anarchy – Wheels on fire| author=Gilbert, Gerard| date=8 May 2009| newspaper=The Independent| location=London| access-date=25 June 2012}} His portrayal as Jax Teller has led Hunnam to receive a Critics' Choice Television Award nomination, two EWwy Award nominations for Best Lead Actor in a Drama series, and a PAAFTJ Award nomination for Best Cast in a Drama Series.{{cite web| url=http://paaftj.wordpress.com/2013/06/| title=2nd PAAFTJ Television Awards nominations announced; "Arrested Development" leads| date=18 June 2013| website=Pan-American Association of Film & Television Journalists| access-date=24 July 2015}}

In 2011, Hunnam played the role of Gavin Nichols in the philosophical drama/thriller The Ledge by Matthew Chapman.{{cite news |last=Gans |first=Andrew |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/149677-The-Ledge-Featuring-Charlie-Hunnam-Liv-Tyler-Patrick-Wilson-Terrence-Howard-Due-in-July |title="The Ledge," Featuring Charlie Hunnam, Liv Tyler, Patrick Wilson, Terrence Howard, Due in July |magazine=Playbill |date=8 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116095012/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/149677-The-Ledge-Featuring-Charlie-Hunnam-Liv-Tyler-Patrick-Wilson-Terrence-Howard-Due-in-July |archive-date=16 January 2014}} In 2012, he starred as the title character in the indie comedy 3,2,1... Frankie Go Boom alongside his Sons of Anarchy co-star Ron Perlman.{{cite web |last=Zakarin |first=Jordan |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/risky-business/frankie-go-boom-poster-ron-perlman-transgender-296904|title='Frankie Go Boom' Poster Features a Transgender Ron Perlman (Photo) |newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter |date=3 May 2012}} Hunnam said he considered the day he filmed scenes with Perlman the best and funniest day of filming he's had in his career.{{cite web |last=Lesnick |first=Silas |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=95617 |title=Interviews: 3, 2, 1... Frankie Go Boom |website=Comingsoon |date=11 October 2012}} He also appeared as Jay, an ex-boxer, in Stefan Ruzowitzky's crime drama Deadfall (2012).{{cite web |last=Stewart |first=Andrew |url=https://variety.com/2012/film/news/freeze-framed-1118063120/ |title='Deadfall' preems at Arclight |magazine=Variety |date=5 December 2012}}{{cite web |last=Nelson |first=Rob |url=https://variety.com/2012/film/reviews/deadfall-1117947447/|title=Review: 'Deadfall' |magazine=Variety |date=25 April 2012}}

File:Charlie Hunnam by Gage Skidmore 4.jpg

Hunnam starred as Raleigh Becket in Guillermo del Toro's sci-fi film Pacific Rim,{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/charlie-hunnam-pacific-rim-amber-heard-shiloh-fernandez-syrup/ |title=Casting Call: Charlie Hunnam to Star in Guillermo del Toro's PACIFIC RIM; Amber Heard and Shiloh Fernandez Like SYRUP |website=Collider |date=10 May 2011 |access-date=5 September 2013}} which opened in July 2013 and grossed $411 million worldwide. It was announced on 2 September 2013 that Hunnam would play the lead role of Christian Grey in the film adaptation of E. L. James' novel Fifty Shades of Grey.{{cite web |last=Schillaci |first=Sophie |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/charlie-hunnam-play-christian-grey-619312 |title=Charlie Hunnam to Play Christian Grey in 'Fifty Shades of Grey' |newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter |date=2 September 2013 |access-date=3 September 2013}} However, on 12 October 2013, Universal Pictures announced that Hunnam had withdrawn from the film due to conflicts with the schedule of his series Sons of Anarchy.{{cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/charlie-hunnam-falls-out-of-fifty-shades-of-grey-1200718847/ |title=Charlie Hunnam Falls Out of 'Fifty Shades of Grey' |magazine=Variety |date=12 October 2013 |access-date=12 October 2013}}

On 2 June 2014, Hunnam was awarded a Huading Award for Best Global Emerging Actor, for his role as Raleigh in Pacific Rim due to the film performing well in Asian markets.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT0F9kshmG0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/nT0F9kshmG0| archive-date=12 December 2021 |url-status=live |title=Charlie Hunnam Talks Sons of Anarchy Final Season & Starring in New Movie: Crimson Peak! |date=2 June 2014 |via=YouTube |access-date=24 July 2015}}{{cbignore}} Hunnam reunited with del Toro in the horror film Crimson Peak,{{cite news |last=Kit |first=Borys |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/charlie-hunnam-crimson-peak-guillermo-del-toro-early-talks-413639 |title=Charlie Hunnam in Early Talks to Join Guillermo Del Toro's 'Crimson Peak' |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |date=18 January 2013}} alongside Mia Wasikowska, Tom Hiddleston, and Jessica Chastain. The film began shooting in February 2014 and was released on 16 October 2015.{{cite magazine| last=Kroll| first=Justin| title=Legendary, Universal Date Guillermo del Toro's 'Crimson Peak' for October 2015| url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/legendary-universal-date-guillermo-del-toros-crimson-peak-for-oct-2015-1201078647/| magazine=Variety| date=30 January 2014}}

Hunnam starred as geographer Percy Fawcett in James Gray's adaptation of author David Grann's 2009 book, The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon. Gray dubbed his adventure drama The Lost City of Z, which was filmed from August to October 2015. The film had its world premiere 15 October 2016 as the closing night selection at the New York Film Festival. It was released in the United States on 14 April 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.inquisitr.com/2292028/ |title=Robert Pattinson Spotted with Brad Pitt, while FKA Twigs tries on Wedding Dresses |last=Carpenter |first=Perry |date=29 July 2015 |website=Inquisitr |access-date=29 July 2015}}{{cite news |url=https://ew.com/article/2014/10/03/charlie-hunnam-fifty-shades-sons-anarchy/ |title=Charlie Hunnam on 'Sons,' 'Fifty Shades' fallout, and what's next |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=2 October 2019}}{{cite news |url=https://deadline.com/2014/08/sons-of-anarchys-charlie-hunnam-is-guy-ritchies-choice-for-king-arthur-825945/ |title='Sons of Anarchy's Charlie Hunnam Is Guy Ritchie's Choice For King Arthur |first=Mike Jr. |last=Fleming |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=24 July 2015}}{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/charlie-hunnam-margot-robbie-eyed-730196 |title=Charlie Hunnam, Margot Robbie Eyed for 'The Mountain Between Us' |first=Rebecca |last=Ford |newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=24 July 2015}} Hunnam played the eponymous title role in Guy Ritchie's action-adventure film King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, which was filmed between March and July 2015. It was released in May 2017.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/12/knights-of-the-roundtable-king-arthur-guy-ritchie-sully-lights-out-1201670759/|title=Guy Ritchie's King Arthur Film Gallops To 2017, 'Lights Out' On July 22, 2016: WB Release Date Changes| first=Anthony| last=D'Alessandro| website=Deadline Hollywood| date=21 December 2015| access-date=22 December 2015}} He next starred in Guy Ritchie's 2019 film The Gentlemen alongside Matthew McConaughey.

Hunnam portrayed Charlie Waldo in the 2022 mystery/thriller Last Looks which also featured Mel Gibson. His first feature for Apple TV+, Shantaram, premiered 14 October 2022. Hunnam leads the cast of characters as Dale Conti/Lindsay "Linbaba" Ford. The series is based on Gregory David Roberts' 2003 autobiographical novel.

On 9 February 2023, Deadline Hollywood reported that Hunnam joined Zack Snyder's Netflix project Rebel Moon. The project reunited Hunnam with King Arthur: Legend of the Sword co-star Djimon Hounsou. The epic space opera, Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire had a limited theatrical release on 15 December 2023. On 21 December 2023, the film was released worldwide via Netflix's streaming service. Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver was released worldwide 14 April 2024 on Netflix.

In May 2024, Hunnam was cast in the lead role for Amazon Prime Video's adaptation of the comic series by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, Criminal. Hunnam will star as Leo, "a brilliant master thief."{{cite magazine article |last1=Goldberg |first1=Lesley |last2=Kit |first2=Borys |date=May 31, 2024 |title=Charlie Hunnam to Star in Ed Brubaker's Criminal for Amazon |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/charlie-hunnam-ed-brubaker-criminal-series-amazon-1235912761/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240531182417/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/charlie-hunnam-ed-brubaker-criminal-series-amazon-1235912761/ |archive-date=31 May 2024 |access-date=May 31, 2024 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |publisher=Penske Media Corporation}}

Hunnam met actress Katharine Towne, daughter of actress Julie Payne and filmmaker Robert Towne, in 1999 when they both auditioned for roles on Dawson's Creek.{{cite news |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/charlie-hunnam-on-terrible-painful-three-year-marriage-w477225/ |title=Charlie Hunnam Recalls 'Terrible, Painful, Expensive' Three-Year Marriage To Actress Katharine Towne |date=17 April 2017 |magazine=Us Weekly |access-date=31 December 2017}}{{cite web |url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news-article/hunnam-credits-failed-marriage-for-helping-him-find-fame |title=Hunnam Credits Failed Marriage For Helping Him Find Fame |date=7 November 2003 |website=Contactmusic.com |access-date=8 July 2012}} After dating for three weeks, they married in Las Vegas; they divorced in 2002. He dated model Sophie Dahl, actress Stella Parker and film producer Georgina Townsley.{{cite web |url=https://www.alohacriticon.com/cine/actores-y-directores/charlie-hunnam/ |title=Charlie Hunnam: Nació el 10 de abril de 1980 en Newcastle Upon Tyne (Inglaterra). |year=2005 |language=es}} He has been in a relationship with artist Morgana McNelis since 2005.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.people.com/article/morgana-mcnelis-five-things-to-know |title=Who Is Morgana McNelis? Five Things to Know About Charlie Hunnam's Girlfriend |last=Kimble |first=Lindsay |magazine=People |date=10 March 2016 |access-date=20 March 2016}}{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/charlie-hunnam-girlfriend-online-attacks_us_56e1bc42e4b065e2e3d51cb8 |title=Charlie Hunnam Has A Message For Fangirls Bullying Longtime Girlfriend |first=Cavan |last=Sieczkowski |newspaper=HuffPost |date=10 March 2016 |access-date=28 March 2022}}{{cite news |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/03/09/charlie-hunnam-girlfriend-video |title=Charlie Hunnam asks fans to stop attacking his girlfriend |first=Lynette |last=Rice |date=9 March 2016 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}{{cite magazine |url=https://people.com/celebrity/charlie-hunnam-asks-female-fans-to-stop-attacking-girlfriend-morgana-mcnelis/|title=Charlie Hunnam Asks Fans to Stop Attacking His Girlfriend: 'She Is an Intelligent, Beautiful, Kind Person' |magazine=People |date=9 March 2016}}

In 2016, he began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Rigan Machado,{{cite web |url=https://www.bjjee.com/articles/charlie-hunnam-talks-learning-jiu-jitsu-work-regimen-king-arthur/ |title=Charlie Hunnam Talks Learning Jiu-Jitsu, His Work Out Regimen For King Arthur & More |website=BJJ Eastern Europe |date=1 March 2017 |access-date=22 November 2018}} and received his blue belt in October 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.jiujitsutimes.com/rigan-machado-promotes-charlie-hunnam-and-joel-kinnaman/ |title=Rigan Machado Promotes Charlie Hunnam (and Joel Kinnaman) |first=Kimberly |last=Kaye |date= 27 October 2018 |website=Jiu Jitsu Times |access-date=22 November 2018}}

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Category:1980 births

Category:20th-century English male actors

Category:21st-century English male actors

Category:Male actors from Newcastle upon Tyne

Category:English expatriate male actors in the United States

Category:English male film actors

Category:English male television actors

Category:English people of Scottish descent

Category:English people of Irish descent

Category:British practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Category:Living people

Category:Actors with dyslexia

Category:English actors with disabilities

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