James Nesbitt
IrelandBiography of James Nesbitt
James Nesbitt is an Irish actor, presenter, and comedian. Born in Ballymena, County Antrim, Nesbitt later moved to Coleraine, County Londonderry. Originally, he had plans to follow in his father's footsteps and become a teacher, even studying French at the University of Ulster. However, after a year, he changed his mind and decided to pursue acting.
Nesbitt left university and enrolled in the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, where he focused on honing his skills and learning the techniques necessary for his new career path. He completed his studies in 1987 and spent the next seven years actively acting in various productions and plays. He appeared in musicals like 'Up on the Roof' and political dramas like 'Paddywack'.
In 1991, Nesbitt made his feature film debut in 'Hear My Song' as Fintan O'Donnell. However, his breakthrough on the small screen came in 1998 when he landed the role of Adam Williams in the romantic comedy 'Cold Feet'. This role was incredibly successful, earning Nesbitt several prestigious awards such as the British Comedy Award, Television and Radio Industries Club Award, and National Television Award.
In the same year, Nesbitt also had his first major film role as Finn in 'Waking Ned', which earned him a nomination for the Guild of Actors Award. In 2001, he played Jimmy Hands in 'Lucky Break', marking his first leading role in a feature film. The following year, Nesbitt portrayed Ivan Cooper in the telefilm 'Bloody Sunday', showcasing his versatility as an actor. This role earned him the British Independent Film Award and a nomination for Best Actor at the British Academy Television Awards.
From 2001 to 2007, Nesbitt played undercover detective Tommy Murphy in 'Murphy's Law', a role specifically written for him by show creator Colin Bateman. He received two nominations for Best Actor at the Irish Film & Television Awards for his portrayal of Murphy. In 2007, Nesbitt showcased his talent in a dual role as Tom Jackman and Mr. Hyde in Steven Moffat's production of 'Jekyll'. He received a Golden Globe nomination for this performance.
In 2012, Nesbitt took on the role of Bofur in the film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Hobbit'. He is married to former actress Sonia Forbes-Adam, and they have two daughters. Nesbitt is known for his active support of various charitable projects.
