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James McAvoyBritish actor
Date of Birth: 21.04.1979
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
Biography of James McAvoy
Early Life and EducationJames Andrew McAvoy was born on April 21, 1979, in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was born into a family with a builder father, James McAvoy Sr., and a psychiatric nurse mother, Elizabeth McAvoy. His parents divorced when he was seven years old, and he ended up living with his mother. Due to his weak health, Elizabeth sent him to live with her parents, James and Mary Johnstone. For most of his childhood, the future actor lived with his grandparents. After his parents' divorce, James had no contact with his father, who only reached out to him in 2006 when he became famous as an actor, expressing a desire to reconnect, but receiving no response. James has a younger sister, Joy, who is a vocalist in the band "Streetside," and a younger half-brother, Donald.
James attended St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School in Jordanhill, Glasgow, and at one point, he considered becoming a priest. However, his interest in acting was sparked when his class visited director David Hayman. James was intrigued by Hayman's stories and asked for a small role in the film "The Near Room" (1995), to which David agreed. Although he was not initially passionate about pursuing an acting career, James was inspired to continue in the field after working with his co-star Alana Brady, with whom he developed romantic feelings. In 2000, James enrolled at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. In addition to his studies, he performed in theater, film, and television productions.
Early Career and Breakthrough
James McAvoy gained recognition for his roles in various stage productions, television series, and films before achieving international fame. Some notable early works include "Storm" (Brunton Theatre), "West Side Story" (Courtyard Centre for the Arts Hereford), "Romeo and Juliet" (Courtyard Centre for the Arts Hereford), "Beauty and the Beast" (Adam Smith Theatre), "Midsomer Murders" (1997, 1 episode), "Band of Brothers" (2001, 1 episode), "White Teeth" (2002, 2 episodes), "Children of Dune" (2003, 3 episodes), "Shameless" (2004-2005), "Inside I'm Dancing" (2004), and "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" (2005).
His diverse portrayals gained recognition from renowned filmmakers, leading to him being cast in leading or significant roles. Prior to the action film "X-Men: First Class," McAvoy appeared in films such as "The Last King of Scotland" (2006), "Becoming Jane" (2006), "Atonement" (2007), "Wanted" (2008), and "The Conspirator" (2010). He also provided the voice of the protagonist in the animated film "Gnomeo & Juliet" (2011). McAvoy's role in the Timur Bekmambetov film "Wanted" was a new experience for him, as he had never appeared in action films before. He portrayed the office worker Wesley Gibson, who becomes a member of the secret assassin society "The Fraternity" due to fate and circumstances. McAvoy's performance, along with his co-stars Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman, Terence Stamp, and others, was highly praised by critics and audiences. The film became one of the most unconventional releases of 2008. Despite its success, the development of a sequel has remained uncertain.
Rise to Stardom
James McAvoy demonstrated his versatility in action films and solidified his status as an actor beyond one role through his portrayal of Charles Xavier in the "X-Men" franchise. His character, Professor X, the leader and ideological inspirer of the mutant team fighting for their place in the world, became his signature role. However, he continued to take on a variety of projects that showcased his range as an actor. Some notable works include "Arthur Christmas" (2011, voice acting), "Trance" (2013), "The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him" (2013), "The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Her" (2013), "Filth" (2013), "Macbeth" (2013, Trafalgar Studios), "Victor Frankenstein" (2015), and "Split" (2016).
Throughout his career, McAvoy has received several awards and nominations. He won the British Academy Film Award for Rising Star in 2006 and the Chopard Trophy for Best Young Actor at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007. He was nominated for a British Academy Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "The Last King of Scotland" (2007) and received nominations for a Golden Globe and a British Academy Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in "Atonement" (2008).
Personal Life
For six years, James McAvoy was in a relationship with his classmate Emma Nelson. After their breakup, he struggled with alcohol abuse, which affected his career. However, he eventually overcame the stress and moved on. His next romantic interest was his co-star from the series "Shameless," Anne-Marie Duff. The couple married in 2006 and had a son named Brendan on June 16, 2010. They divorced in May 2016 but remain friends and continue to live together in their North London home for the sake of their son.
Upcoming Projects
"Dark Phoenix" is not the only highly anticipated project for James McAvoy. In 2019, the sequel to the thriller "Split" titled "Glass" will be released, where James will portray ten different characters (he played eight roles in "Split"). Rumors suggest that James will also play the lead role in the horror film "It: Chapter Two," the sequel to the immensely popular horror film that caused a sensation worldwide in 2017.
