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Tom EllisBritish and Hollywood actor
Date of Birth: 17.11.1978
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Tom Ellis: A Welsh Actor with Heavenly Charisma
- Career Beginnings
- Television Breakthroughs
- The Lucifer Phenomenon
- The "Lucifer" Legacy
- Personal Life
- Beyond "Lucifer"
- Filmography
Tom Ellis: A Welsh Actor with Heavenly Charisma
Early Life and EducationTom Ellis, a renowned Welsh actor, was born under the Scorpio sign on November 17, 1978, in Wales. His mother was a music teacher, while his father, a Welshman, was a Baptist minister. Ellis's childhood was spent in a church in Bangor, where his father served. From an early age, the future actor and his three sisters played musical instruments.
Ellis attended school in Sheffield. While studying, he played the trumpet and later the French horn in a local youth orchestra. His aspiration to become an actor emerged at the age of 12. At a school performance, his parents met a drama teacher who suggested their son attend a drama school.
Career Beginnings
After completing school, Ellis faced limited options due to financial constraints. He came to Glasgow, where his friend was studying at the University of Glasgow, and fell in love with the city. There, he enrolled in the drama school at the Royal Scottish Academy. His first professional work was a pantomime as part of his coursework. The students created the plot themselves, and Ellis chose "Beauty and the Beast," where he played both the prince and the beast.
Television Breakthroughs
In his early career, Ellis sought to gain acting experience and accepted any opportunity to appear on screen. Among his early credits are roles in "Casualty," "Poirot," and "Silent Witness." In 2005, he appeared in an episode of "EastEnders." Two decades later, in 2006, he returned to the same project as Dr. Oliver. The role proved to be transformative, opening doors for Ellis to receive offers from directors.
In 2007, Ellis graced the iconic British sci-fi series "Doctor Who." He portrayed Tom Milligan in the episode "Last of the Time Lords." In 2010, the actor featured in another popular British series, the fantasy drama "Merlin." In this show, Ellis played the supporting role of King Cenred.
In 2011, Ellis joined the cast of "Once Upon a Time," an American fantasy series. He took on the role of Robin Hood. This character is not out of place in the show, as it is set in a fairy tale land where famous figures from legends, fairy tales, and stories reside, regardless of whether they were created by folklore or an author.
The Lucifer Phenomenon
Ellis's immense popularity was ignited by his role as Lucifer Morningstar in "Lucifer." The production of the series commenced on May 9, 2015, but by the end of the month, American advocates for family values were demanding that it be halted, claiming it was offensive to religious believers.
The initiative originated from the American Family Association (AFA) One Million Moms, which posted the petition on its official website. They were outraged that the series portrayed the devil in a positive light, which they believed violated religious dogma and mocked the Christian faith. Within two months, the petition had garnered 11,000 signatures, but it did not affect the project's release.
The production team justified their decision by emphasizing that the plot was not based on the Bible or any other religious texts. The show was inspired by the graphic novel series "Lucifer" created by Neil Gaiman and Sam Kieth, which was published by Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics. Interestingly, Ellis himself had to explain his role to his relatives, who were horrified after watching the trailer for the series.
According to the storyline, Lucifer grew bored in Hell and traveled to Los Angeles. Initially, the character indulges in his devilish lifestyle. He opens his own luxurious bar, Lux, where both the owner and patrons engage in sinful behavior. However, life takes an unexpected turn when a murder occurs at the bar, and Lucifer encounters the police. The devil finds himself working as a police consultant, but his sudden interest in justice stems from his fascination with Detective Chloe Decker, played by Lauren German, who is mysteriously unaffected by the Lord of Hell's charms. The enigma holds a simple answer—Lucifer is in love for the first time in his life, rendering him vulnerable to his chosen one.
The "Lucifer" Legacy
The pilot episode of "Lucifer" premiered in 2015 at San Diego Comic-Con, an annual international geek festival. The full series premiered on January 25, 2016, comprising 13 episodes, which could be interpreted as another plot device. After the final episodes aired in spring, the commencement of filming for Season 2 was announced. The successful project was subsequently renewed for Seasons 3 and 4.
While the series received mixed reviews from critics and viewers, it has consistently earned average ratings.
Personal Life
In 2006, Tom Ellis married actress Tamzin Outhwaite. The couple welcomed two daughters, Florence Elsie and Marnie Mae. Ellis has a total of three children, with his oldest daughter, Nora, being from a previous relationship.
The couple lived together for seven years. In August 2013, they announced their separation, with Outhwaite citing infidelity as the reason. In 2014, Ellis and Outhwaite officially divorced.
A year later, it was revealed that the beloved actor had found love again. His chosen one is actress and screenwriter Meaghan Oppenheimer. The couple keep their relationship private but do not shy away from paparazzi. Additionally, Ellis occasionally posts pictures of his sweetheart on his social media account.
Beyond "Lucifer"
In 2018, Netflix acquired the rights to "Lucifer" from Fox. The new episodes featured several new characters, and the show was rated R.
While continuing to work on the project that brought him global fame, Ellis has also appeared in other American series. In 2018, he played a role in the comedy "Queen America" about a pageant coach who attempts to transform a small-town misfit into a beauty queen. Catherine Zeta-Jones starred in the lead role.
In 2019, the fantasy comedy film "Isn't It Romantic?" was released, featuring Ellis in a supporting role. The film follows a woman who has become disillusioned with love and no longer expects any changes on the "romantic front." However, her world transforms one day, embracing the tropes of a romantic comedy. A handsome man falls in love with her, showering her with flowers and arranging dates in the summer rain. The film drew attention for its impressive cast, including Rebel Wilson, Liam Hemsworth, and Priyanka Chopra.
Filmography
- 2001: "The Last Minute"- 2005: "Shakespeare Re-Told"
- 2006: "EastEnders"
- 2007: "Doctor Who"
- 2009–2015: "Miranda"
- 2011: "Once Upon a Time"
- 2013: "Agatha Christie's Poirot"
- 2014: "Rush"
- 2015: "The Strain"
- 2016–2019: "Lucifer"
- 2019: "Isn't It Romantic?"
