Jude Law

David Jude Heyworth Law (born 29 December 1972) is an English actor. He received a British Academy Film Award, as well as nominations for two Academy Awards, two Tony Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. In 2007, he received an Honorary César and was named a knight of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government."French Honour for Jude Law"
, Reuters (UK), 2 March 2007. Retrieved 20 November 2007.

Born and raised in London, Law started acting in theatre. After finding small roles in feature films, Law gained recognition for his role in Anthony Minghella's '' The Talented Mr. Ripley'' (1999), for which he won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and was nominated for an Academy Award. He found further critical and commercial success in '' Enemy at the Gates'' (2001), Steven Spielberg's '' A.I. Artificial Intelligence'' (2001) and Sam Mendes' '' Road to Perdition'' (2002). He continued to gain praise for starring in the war film '' Cold Mountain'' (2003), the drama '' Closer'' (2004), and the romantic comedy '' The Holiday'' (2006), gaining Academy Award and BAFTA nominations for the first.

Law played Dr. Watson in ''Sherlock Holmes'' (2009) and '' Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows'' (2011), a younger Albus Dumbledore in '' Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald'' (2018) and '' Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'' (2022), and Yon-Rogg in '' Captain Marvel'' (2019); all of which rank among his highest-grossing releases. His other notable roles were in '' Contagion'' (2011), '' Hugo'' (2011), ''Side Effects'' (2013), '' The Grand Budapest Hotel'' (2014), and '' Spy'' (2015); and the television series ''The Young Pope'' (2016) and '' The New Pope'' (2020).

Law has performed in several West End and Broadway productions including '' Les Parents terribles'' in 1994, ''Hamlet'' in 2010, and ''Anna Christie'' in 2011. He received Tony Award nominations for the first and second.

Early life

David Jude Heyworth Law was born on 29 December 1972 in the Lewisham district of London, to Peter Robert Law and Margaret Anne Heyworth, both teachers. His father later became, according to Law, "the youngest headmaster in London".Inside the Actors Studio
Jude Law, Season 10, Episode 1008. Bravo. Original Airdate: 21 December 2003. Retrieved 25 May 2008. His mother was adopted but was later reunited with her Welsh birth mother, Meinwen Parry. He has an elder sister, Natasha. Law was named David after one of his parents' best friends, but called by his middle name since birth. The name Jude was taken from "a bit of both" the book '' Jude the Obscure'' and the Beatles song "Hey Jude". He grew up in Blackheath, an area in the borough of Greenwich, and was educated at John Ball Primary School in Blackheath and Kidbrooke School, before attending Alleyn's School.

Career

1987–1999: Early work and breakthrough

Law began acting in 1987 with the National Youth Music Theatre. He played various roles in the Edinburgh Fringe-awarded play ''The Ragged Child''. One of his first major stage roles was Foxtrot Darling in Philip Ridley's ''The Fastest Clock in the Universe''. Law went on to appear as Michael in the West End production of Jean Cocteau's tragicomedy '' Les Parents terribles'', directed by Sean Mathias. For this play, he was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Newcomer, and he received the Ian Charleson Award for Outstanding Newcomer. Following a title change to ''Indiscretions'', the play was reworked and transferred to Broadway in 1995, where Law acted opposite Kathleen Turner, Roger Rees and Cynthia Nixon. This role earned him a Tony Award nomination and the Theatre World Award.

In 1989, Law received his first television role, in a film based on the Beatrix Potter children's book, ''The Tailor of Gloucester''. Law would then go on to have minor roles in various British television series, including a two-year stint in the Granada TV produced ITV soap opera '' Families'', and in the episode " Shoscombe Old Place" in ITV's ''Sherlock Holmes'', as well as the leading role in the BFI /Channel 4 short '' The Crane''.

In 1994, Law appeared in his first major leading film role with the British crime drama ''Shopping'', which also featured his then future wife, Sadie Frost. In 1997, he rose to prominence with his role in the Oscar Wilde biopic '' Wilde''. Law won the Evening Standard British Film Award for Most Promising Newcomer for his portrayal of Lord Alfred Douglas, the glamorous young lover of Stephen Fry's Wilde. In Andrew Niccol's science fiction film '' Gattaca'', Law played the role of a disabled former swimming star living in a eugenics-obsessed dystopia. In Clint Eastwood's '' Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil'', he played the role of Billy Hanson, a male prostitute killed by an art dealer portrayed by Kevin Spacey. In 1998, Jude Law played Steven Grlscz, a vampire and an expert seducer, in ''The Wisdom of Crocodiles''.

In 1999, Law starred alongside Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett, and Philip Seymour Hoffman in the psychological thriller film '' The Talented Mr. Ripley'', directed by Anthony Minghella. For the film, Law learned to play the saxophone. For his performance, Law won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role,"Full list of Bafta winners"
, BBC News, 9 April 2000. as well as receiving nominations for the Golden Globe Award and Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

At this time, Law, along with his wife Sadie Frost was a member of the famed Primrose Hill set, and that association of friends spilled over into creative collaborations, and the formation of a production company Natural Nylon.

2000–2008: Expansion and critical recognition

In 2001, Law starred as Russian sniper Vasily Zaytsev in the film '' Enemy at the Gates'', and learned ballet dancing for the film '' A.I. Artificial Intelligence'' (2001). A BBC March 2002 review of Law in ''Dr Faustus'' stated ''In such films as Gattaca, A.I. and The Talented Mr Ripley, Law has cornered the market in cocky pride and preening self-absorption.

In 2002, Law played a mob hitman in Sam Mendes's 1930s period drama '' Road to Perdition''. In 2003, he again collaborated with director Anthony Minghella for the period war film '' Cold Mountain'' opposite Nicole Kidman and Renee Zellweger, for which he received nominations for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama, the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, and the Academy Award for Best Actor.

Law, an admirer of Sir Laurence Olivier, suggested the actor's image be included in the 2004 film ''Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow''. Using the computer graphics technology, footage of the young Olivier was merged into the film, playing Dr. Totenkopf, a mysterious scientific genius and supervillain. Also in 2004, Law portrayed the title character in '' Alfie'', the remake of Bill Naughton's 1966 film, playing the role originated by Michael Caine; and later took on another of Caine's earlier roles in the 2007 film ''Sleuth'', adapted by Nobel Laureate in Literature Harold Pinter, while Caine played the role originated by Olivier. Also in 2007, Law acted alongside Norah Jones in the romantic drama My Blueberry Nights, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.

In 2006, he portrayed the role of Kate Winslet's character's single-parent brother in the film '' The Holiday'', a modern-day American romantic comedy written, produced and directed by Nancy Meyers. After his appearances in a string of period dramas and science fiction films in the early to mid-2000s, Law said he found it tricky to approach the contemporary role in this film. Like Winslet, the actor stated, he felt more vulnerable about playing a character who fitted his own look and did not require an accent, a costume or a relocation. By the end of the year, Law was one of the Top Ten A-list of the most bankable film stars in Hollywood, according to the Ulmer Scale."Tom Cruise and Hanks Top New Power List"
, '' World Entertainment News Network'', 10 April 2006.

2009–present: Return to theatre and other projects

In May 2009, Law returned to the London stage to portray the title role in William Shakespeare's ''Hamlet'' at the Donmar Warehouse West End season at Wyndham's Theatre. The BBC reported "a fine and solid performance" but included other reviews of Law's interpretation that were mixed. There was a further run of the production at Elsinore Castle in Denmark from 25–30 August 2009. In September 2009, the production transferred to the Broadhurst Theatre in New York City. ''The Washington Post'' felt the much-anticipated performance was "highly disappointing". Nonetheless, he was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play and at the Critics' Circle Theatre Awards ceremony, he was presented with the John and Wendy Trewin Award for Best Shakespearean Performance. Also in 2009, Law became one of three actors who took over the role of actor Heath Ledger in Terry Gilliam's film '' The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus''. Along with Law, actors Johnny Depp and Colin Farrell portray "three separate dimensions in the film".

In 2010, Law appeared opposite Forest Whitaker in the dark science fiction comedy '' Repo Men'' and as Dr. Watson in Guy Ritchie's adaption of ''Sherlock Holmes'', alongside Robert Downey, Jr. and Rachel McAdams, as well as the 2011 sequel, '' Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows''. Law starred as a celebrity supermodel in the film '' Rage''. He portrayed blogger Alan Krumwiede in the 2011 medical thriller '' Contagion''. ''The Hollywood Reporter'' critic Todd McCarthy called the character "excellent" and praised the "compelling ferociousness" of Law's portrayal.

In May 2015, it was announced that Law would portray Lenny Belardo/Pius XIII, an American cardinal who becomes the pope. A ten-episode series titled ''The Young Pope'' was jointly produced by Sky Atlantic and Canal+ with HBO, and directed by Paolo Sorrentino. The series began airing in various countries in October 2016. In their respective reviews for ''The Guardian'' and ''The New York Times'', Rebecca Nicholson praised the "surprising charm" with which Law strikes a balance between the qualities of a "vindictive authoritarian and wounded man-child", while James Poniewozik described his role as "saddled with stiff dialogue". Law reprised in the role in the spin-off series '' The New Pope'', which premiered on HBO on 13 January 2020. He also starred in the miniseries ''The Third Day'', which premiered on HBO on 14 September 2020.

Law portrayed Albus Dumbledore, a wizard, in the fantasy film '' Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald''. It was released on 16 November 2018 to mixed reviews. Law also portrayed Yon-Rogg in the 2019 Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film '' Captain Marvel'', which was a global box office success, grossing over $1 billion worldwide. Law will play Captain Hook in ''Peter Pan & Wendy'', a live-action adaptation of the animated film '' Peter Pan''. It is scheduled for a 2022 release. He is set to star in the limited series ''The Auteur''.

In May 2022 at Star Wars Celebration, Law was announced to be starring in '' Star Wars: Skeleton Crew'' from director Jon Watts. It is a Disney+ series premiering in 2023.

Law will next be playing artist Roland Penrose in the drama film ''Lee'' set in World War II directed by Ellen Kuras and starring Kate Winslet.

Other work

Activism

In 2002, Law directed a Respect for Animals anti-fur cinema commercial, titled "Fur and Against". It used music composed by Gary Kemp, and included appearances by Law, Chrissie Hynde, Moby, George Michael, Danny Goffey, Rhys Ifans, Sadie Frost, Helena Christensen, Sir Paul McCartney, Melanie C, and Stella McCartney. In July 2007, he and Jeremy Gilley were in Afghanistan over a period of ten days to document peace commitments and activities there for an upcoming film and for marking the UN International Day of Peace. Accompanied by UNICEF Representative Catherine Mbengue, they travelled and filmed in dangerous areas of eastern Afghanistan with a film crew, interviewing children, government ministers, community leaders and UN officials. They also filmed at schools and visited various UNICEF-supported programmes inside and outside the capital Kabul. The efforts of Peace One Day are coordinated in celebration of the annual International Day of Peace, on 21 September. The film, named ''The Day After Peace'', premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. On 21 September 2008, the film was shown at a gala screening at the Royal Albert Hall.

On 30 August 2008, Law and Gilley returned to Afghanistan to help keep a momentum around Peace Day. They met President Hamid Karzai, top NATO and UN officials, and members of the aid community. They also screened the new documentary about the efforts in support of peace. The documentary features activities that took place throughout Afghanistan in 2007. It also highlights support from UNICEF and the WHO for the peaceful immunisation of 1.4 million children against polio in insecure areas. In 2011, Law joined street protests against Alexander Lukashenko and his brutal crackdown on the Belarusian democracy movement.

Philanthropy

In 2004, Law launched a campaign to raise £2.5 million towards the Young Vic Theatre's £12.5 million redevelopment project. He is currently Chairman of the Young Vic committee and has said he is proud to help make the Young Vic "a nurturing bed" for young directors. In 2006, he joined Robbie Williams in the "Soccer Aid" celebrity football match to benefit UNICEF.

In 2006, he starred in an anthology of Samuel Beckett readings and performances directed by Anthony Minghella. With the Beckett Gala Evening at the Reading Town Hall, more than £22,000 was donated for the Macmillan Cancer Support. Also in 2006, Frost and Law directed a Shakespeare play in a South African orphanage. He travelled to Durban with Frost and their children to help children who have lost their parents to AIDS. In July 2007, as patron of the charity, he helped kick off the month-long tour of the AIDS-themed musical ''Thula Sizwe'' by the Young Zulu Warriors. Also in 2007, he encouraged the Friends of the Earth/ the Big Ask campaign, asking British government to take action against climate change.

Law does charity work for organisations such as Make Poverty History, the Rhys Daniels Trust, and the WAVE Trauma Centre. He supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Pride of Britain Awards.

He is the chairman of the Music For Tomorrow Foundation to help rebuild Katrina-devastated New Orleans.Jude Law
"A Message from Our Chair"
, Music for Tomorrow. Retrieved 10 September 2009. Cf.br>"Jude Law's Charity Work"
. Look to the Stars. looktothestars.org. with hyperlinked feature

Law serves as an ambassador of the Prince of Wales' Children and the Arts Foundation. He supports Breast Cancer Care, and in December 2008 he supported the Willow Foundation with a small canvas for their campaign Stars on Canvas. In April 2009 he supported the charity Education Africa with the gift of a mask he had painted and signed himself. The campaign was launched on eBay by Education Africa.

Law, alongside Judi Dench, helped save St Stephen's Church in Hampstead. They supported the campaign, which raised £4.5 million to refurbish the Victorian church in North London. The building reopened in March 2009 as an arts and community centre.

''Realtime Movie''

In early 2007, Law shot the short film ''Realtime Movie Trailer'' at Borough Market, South London. Instead of promoting a film, this "trailer", which appeared among regular trailers in selected cinemas across London starting 19 November 2007, advertised a live event, Realtime Movie by Polish artist Paweł Althamer. Hundreds turned up for this unfilmed reenactment, in real time, of the sequence of events shown in ''Realtime Movie Trailer'' by the same actors, including Althamer as a Polish labourer, held on 30 November 2007. The performance was commissioned by Tate Modern as part of its "The World as a Stage" exhibition, which explored the boundaries between arts and reality.

Music

Law is a featured artist on Vampire Weekend's 2019 album, '' Father of the Bride'', in which he recites Thomas Campbell's poem "Lord Ullin's Daughter" during the song of the same name.

Modeling

Since 2005, he has represented Dunhill as an "apparel ambassador" in Asia. In 2008, he became the international face of Dunhill and began appearing in the worldwide advertising campaigns. In 2008, Law became the face of a male perfume, ''Dior Homme Sport''.

Personal life

Law met actress Sadie Frost while working on ''Shopping'' (1994), at the time, Frost was married to Gary Kemp of Spandau Ballet. ''Such was the force of their attraction that she ended up walking out on their nine-year union to be with the gangly 19-year-old.'' The two married in September 1997 and divorced on 29 October 2003. They have two sons and a daughter, Iris, who is the middle of the three. While filming ''Alfie'' (2004) in late 2003, Law and co-star Sienna Miller began a relationship and became engaged in 2004. On 8 July 2005, Law issued a public apology to Miller for having an affair with his children's nanny. Miller and Law ended their relationship in November 2006.

Law was in a brief relationship with American model Samantha Burke in 2008; Burke gave birth to her and Law's daughter in September 2009. His fifth child, a girl, was born in 2015, to Catherine Harding. He married his girlfriend Phillipa Coan on 1 May 2019. In September 2020, Law announced the birth of the couple's first child together, who is also his sixth.

Law's parents live in Vaudelnay, France, where they run their own drama school and theatre.Charlie Rose
"A Conversation with Actor Jude Law"
. '' The Charlie Rose Show'' broadcast on '' WNET'' (New York); video clip posted 27 October 2007. Retrieved 12 November 2007. His sister Natasha is an illustrator and artist, living in London.Dolly Jones
"Fashion Law"
. ''Vogue''. 10 May 2006. Retrieved 19 November 2007.

Credits

Awards and nominations

Film

Theatre

References

External links

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Filmography Jude Law
at the ''British Film Institute'' (BFI). Retrieved 25 May 2008.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Law, Jude
1972 births
Living people
20th-century English male actors
21st-century English male actors
Audiobook narrators
Best Supporting Actor BAFTA Award winners
César Honorary Award recipients
Chevaliers of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
Critics' Circle Theatre Award winners
English male film actors
English male Shakespearean actors
English male stage actors
English male television actors
English male voice actors
English people of Welsh descent
Male actors from Kent
Male actors from London
People educated at Alleyn's School
People educated at Corelli College
People from Lewisham