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Duane HenryEnglish, American actor
Date of Birth: 18.03.1985
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Breaking into the Spotlight
- Medical Success
- Hollywood Dreams
- NCIS: Los Angeles
- Personal Resilience
Early Life and Education
Birmingham BeginningsDuane Henry was born in Birmingham, West Midlands, into a working-class family. He attended St. Francis' Catholic Primary School in Birmingham and St. John Wall Catholic School in Handsworth, where he excelled in drama. At the age of 17, he relocated to London to pursue his acting career.
Breaking into the Spotlight
London CallingHenry's first professional acting role came in 2004, a year after his move to London. He appeared alongside Samantha Janus in "Day game," an episode of the British television anthology series. From 2004 to 2011, Henry made several guest appearances in popular British television dramas, including "Doctor Who," "The Bill," and "The Cut," earning a nomination for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) New Talent Award for Best Male Actor in 2010.
Medical Success
"Doctors" and BeyondHenry held five different roles in the British medical soap opera "Doctors," from 2005 to 2013. The series was originally set in Birmingham, and Henry's local roots played a part in his casting. In 2013, he portrayed Gareth Broadhurst, an ex-soldier with PTSD, in a three-part spin-off entitled "Doctors: The Medic Zone."
Hollywood Dreams
Los Angeles BoundIn 2011, Henry secured a supporting role in Madonna's historical romantic drama "W.E." He later moved from London to Los Angeles in November 2013. Upon his arrival, he spent a year refining his American accent to expand his acting range. Henry auditioned for numerous roles, including a part in "Shades of Blue" starring Jennifer Lopez and directed by "Rain Man" director Barry Levinson.
NCIS: Los Angeles
Agent Clayton ReevesHenry made his debut on the CBS police procedural "NCIS: Los Angeles" as MI6 agent Clayton Reeves in May 2016. His character was initially a recurring one, but in July 2016, it was announced that he would become a series regular starting in the show's fourteenth season. Henry incorporated his own life experiences into the backstory of his character, despite the character's lack of Birmingham origins. He departed the series in the season 15 finale, "Two Steps Back," in which his character was killed in action.
Personal Resilience
Overcoming HardshipHenry experienced homelessness during part of his life. He attributes his resilience and success as an actor to his challenging upbringing in Birmingham. His mother gave birth to him at the age of 16, and he did not know his father. He eventually moved in with his aunt and held various jobs, including selling shoes on Oxford Street and working at a theater near Leicester Square where he was "fired for daydreaming and practicing his autograph." He claims that growing up in such adversity made him work harder to achieve his goals. Henry stated that if he had not become an actor, he would still have pursued a career in the arts, possibly as a drama teacher or talent scout. When asked about his acting inspirations, Henry replied that he watches people in his social circles struggle "from A to Z" and seeing them "still standing, still smiling" inspires him to "keep pushing forward."
