Jude Law Biography
Summary
"Jude Law" (born 29 December 1972) is an Academy Award-nominated English actor.
Biography
Early life
Jude Law was born in Lewisham, South London, England, to teachers Peter and Maggie Law, who now run their own drama school in France. His sister Natasha is a well regarded illustrator and artist. He was educated at 'John Ball' Primary school in Blackheath and Kidbrooke School in Kidbrooke, before attending the Alleyn's School in Dulwich. In 1987 he started acting with the National Youth Music Theatre.
Career
Law's first major stage role was as Foxtrot Darling, the sexually ambiguous and manipulative teenager in Philip Ridley's multi-award-winning "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. This role saw Jude nominated for an Laurence Olivier Award as Best Newcomer. Following a title change to "Indiscretions", the play transferred as an imaginative re-working to Broadway in 1995, and he played opposite Kathleen Turner, Roger Rees and Cynthia Nixon. This role earned him a Tony Award nomination and the Theatre World Award.
In 1989 he got his first TV role in a movie based on a Beatrix Potter book, "The Tailor of Gloucester". After minor roles in British television, including a two year stint in the Granada TV soap opera "Families" and the leading role in the BFI /Channel 4 short "The Crane", Law had his breakthrough with the British ram-raiding drama "Shopping" which also featured his future wife Sadie Frost. He shot to fame in Britain upon the release of the biopic "Wilde", in which he played Lord Alfred 'Bosie' Douglas, the glamorous lover of Stephen Fry's Oscar Wilde.
He subsequently moved to Hollywood; his performances include Andrew Niccol's "Gattaca", as a frustrated Olympic medalist bound by a wheelchair, in Clint Eastwood's "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" as the ill-fated lover of Kevin Spacey's character, and in Sam Mendes's "Road to Perdition" as a sadistic hitman in a critically-praised performance. He has been nominated for an Academy Award twice; once as Best Supporting Actor for his performance in "The Talented Mr. Ripley" in 2000, and then again as Best Actor in a Leading Role for "Cold Mountain" in 2003, both directed by Anthony Minghella. For the film "The Talented Mr. Ripley" he learned to play saxophon and earned a MTV Movie Award nomination together with Matt Damon and Fiorello for performing the song "Tu Vuo' Fa L'Americano" by Renato Carosone and Nicola Salerno, so he learned ballet dancing for the film Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001).
He portrayed the lead character in "Alfie", the remake of Bill Naughton's 1966 drama. He also acted opposite Michael Caine in the 2007 film "Sleuth". In both films, he plays the role originally played by Caine. In "Sleuth" Michael Caine played Sir Laurence Olivier's original role. Law is an admirer of Olivier, it was his idea to use the famous actors image in the 2004 film "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow", so he could, in a way act opposite the deceased actor. In 2006 he co-starred in his first romantic comedy "The Holiday".
Jude Law is on the latest Top Ten List from the 2006 "A-list" of the most bankable movie stars in Hollywood. The list was created by James Ulmer, he calls his method (The Ulmer Scale) . He was honored with the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government on March 1, 2007 in recognition of his contribution to World Cinema Arts. He was named a " "Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres" ".
He is a fan of the graphic novel "Watchmen", by Alan Moore, so much so he has a tattoo of the Rorschach character. He has maintained an interest in being involved in a feature film production of the series, especially if it were directed by Darren Aronofsky. He has said that he would most likely play the character Ozymandias. He was, at one point, courted to play either Batman or Superman in "Batman Begins", "Batman vs. Superman", and/or General Zod in "Superman Returns". In 2005, he was one of many actors rumored to be a possible choice to assume the role of James Bond, as MGM decided not to renew Irish actor Pierce Brosnan's contract. The role would eventually go to fellow Englishman Daniel Craig.
Other work
In 1997 he set up a film company, Natural Nylon, with Sadie Frost and fellow friends and thespians Jonny Lee Miller, Ewan McGregor, Sean Pertwee, Damon Bryant and Bradley Adams. Natural Nylon folded in 2003.
Jude Law is the (apparel ambassador) of Dunhill. He has signed a two year deal ad campaign with Dunhill in spring 2006. The ads will be shown in Asia only. He is to be the international face and appear in the worldwide Spring/Summer 2008 advertising campaign, apart from commercials in North America. He represented the company in Asia since 2005.
In 2002 Sadie Frost and Jude Law supported Respect for Animals with an (Anti Fur commercial) . It was directed by Jude Law and with music specially composed by Gary Kemp.
In 2004 Jude Law has launched a public campaign to raise £2.5 million towards the Young Vic Theatre's £12.5 million redevelopment project. He is currently Chair of the Young Vic committee and proud to help make the Young Vic 'a nurturing bed? for young directors.
He is a enthusiastic soccer fan and a supporter of the English football club Tottenham Hotspur. In 2006 he was set to join Robbie Williams in the Soccer Aid celebrity football match to beneft UNICEF.
Jude Law's charity work also includes that for Make Poverty History, (Rhys Daniels Trust) and (WAVE Trauma Centre) . He supports the charity Make-A-Wish Foundation and is the chair of the Music For Tomorrow Foundation (^) to help rebuild Katrina-devastated New Orleans.
In 2006, Frost and Law dedicated their Christmas holidays to direct a Shakespeare play in a South African orphanage. He traveled to Durban, South Africa, with Frost and their children in order 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.
In spring 2007 he filmed a video at Borough Market, South London to support the Tate Modern's "The World as a Stage" exhibition.
Jude Law, plus many others, record video clips for online web march for Friends of the Earth/The Big Ask (^) campaign, asking Government to take strong action against climate change.
In July 2007, Jude Law was travelling with the founder of Peace One Day Jeremy Gilley on a mission to document peace commitments and activities in Afghanistan for an upcoming film which will be released in May 2008 and for marking the UN International Day of Peace. They were accompanied by UNICEF Representative (Catherine Mbengue) . They traveled and filmed in treacherous areas of eastern Afghanistan with a (Peace One Day) film crew, and interviewed children, government ministers, community leaders and UN officials. The crew also filmed schools and visited various UNICEF-supported programmes inside and outside the capital. (Peace Day) is on September 21.
Personal life
Law married Sadie Frost on September 2, 1997. They have four children: Finlay Munro (stepson of Law, born September 20, 1990), son Rafferty (born October 6, 1996), daughter Iris (born October 25, 2000) and son Rudy (born September 10, 2002). Kate Moss is the godmother of his daughter Iris. For a time Frost and Law were central to the so-called 'Primrose Hill set' of young British actors. In early 2003, Jude and Sadie separated and the so-called supercouple finalized their divorce on October 29, 2003. In 2005, Frost and Law reached a divorce settlement after nearly two years of negotiations. Sadie Frost kept the couple's £2million London house in Primrose Hill, and she received a £4million payment and £15,000 a month, according to reports.
He became engaged to Sienna Miller, his co-star in "Alfie". On July 18, 2005, he issued a public apology to his fiancée for having an affair with his children's nanny. Law and Miller reconciled. Reports from May 29, 2006 stated that Miller and Law were 'working things out.' On November 12, 2006 they made public their relationship was over.
Awards and nominations
"Academy Awards"
2004
Nominated
Oscar - Best Actor in a Leading Role
for: "Cold Mountain" (2003)
2000 for: "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (1999)
"Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films"
2000
Nominated
Saturn Award- Best Supporting Actor
for: "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (1999)
"BAFTA Awards"
2004
Nominated
BAFTA Award - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
for: "Cold Mountain" (2003)
2000
Won
BAFTA Film Award - Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
for: "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (1999)
"Blockbuster Entertainment Awards"
2000
Won
Blockbuster Entertainment Award - Favorite Supporting Actor - Suspense
for: "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (1999)
"Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards"
2005
Nominated
BFCA Award - Best Acting Ensemble
for: "Closer" (2004/I)
Shared with:
Clive Owen,
Natalie Portman,
Julia Roberts
"Chicago Film Critics Association Awards"
2002
Nominated
CFCA Award - Best Supporting Actor
for: "Artificial Intelligence: AI" (2001)
"César Awards", France
2007
"Honorary César"
"Empire Awards", UK
2004
Nominated
Empire Award - Best British Actor
for: "Cold Mountain" (2003)
2003
Nominated
Empire Award - Best British Actor
for: "Road to Perdition" (2002)
2001
Nominated
Empire Award - Best British Actor
for: "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (1999)
"European Film Awards"
2001
Nominated
Audience Award - Best Actor
for: "Enemy at the Gates" (2001)
"Evening Standard British Film Awards"
1998
Won
Evening Standard British Film Award - Most Promising Newcomer
for: "Wilde" (1997)
"Golden Globes"
2004
Nominated
Golden Globe - Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
for: "Cold Mountain" (2003)
2002
Nominated
Golden Globe - Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
for: "Artificial Intelligence: AI" (2001)
2000
Nominated
Golden Globe - Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
for: "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (1999)
"Irish Film and Television Awards"
2004
Nominated
Audience Award - Best International Actor
for: "Cold Mountain" (2003)
"London Critics Circle Film Awards"
2001
Nominated
ALFS Award - British Supporting Actor of the Year
for: "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (1999)
"MTV Movie Awards"
2007
Nominated
MTV Movie Award - Best Kiss
for: "The Holiday" (2006), shared with Cameron Diaz
2005
Nominated
MTV Movie Award - Best Kiss
for: "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" (2004), shared with Gwyneth Paltrow
2003
Nominated
MTV Movie Award - Best Trans-Atlantic Breakthrough Performer
2000
Nominated
MTV Movie Award - Best Musical Performance
for: "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (1999), shared with Matt Damon and Fiorello
for the song 'Tu Vuo' Fa L'Americano'.
"National Board of Review"
2004
Won
NBR Award - Best Acting by an Ensemble
for: "Closer" (2004/I)
Shared with: Clive Owen, Natalie Portman, Julia Roberts
"Online Film Critics Society Awards"
2002
Nominated
OFCS Award - Best Supporting Actor
for: "Artificial Intelligence: AI" (2001)
"People's Choice Awards"
2005
Nominated
People's Choice Award - Favorite Leading Man
"Santa Fe Film Critics Circle Awards"
2000
Won
SFFCC Award - Best Supporting Actor
for: "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (1999)
"Satellite Awards"
2004
Nominated
Golden Satellite Award - Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama
for: "Cold Mountain" (2003)
2000
Nominated
Golden Satellite Award - Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, Drama
for: "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (1999)
"Screen Actors Guild Awards"
2005
Nominated - Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for: "The Aviator" (2004)
Shared with: Alan Alda, Alec Baldwin, Kate Beckinsale, Cate Blanchett, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ian Holm, Danny Huston, John C. Reilly, Gwen Stefani
"ShoWest Convention"
2004
ShoWest Award - Male Star of the Year
"Teen Choice Award"
2000
Nominated
Teen Choice Award - Film Choice Breakout Performance
for: "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (1999)
"Visual Effects Society Awards"
2005
Nominated
VES Award - Outstanding Performance by an Actor or Actress in a Visual Effects Film
for: "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" (2004)
Allusions in popular culture
In 2001 Long Island, New York band, 'Brand New' titled one of their songs, 'Jude Law and a Semester Abroad' from their debut album, 'Your Favorite Weapon'. 'Jude Law and a Semester Abroad' is also a 2002 single by the alternative rock band.
External links
('A Conversation with Actor Jude Law') , conducted by Charlie Rose on "The Charlie Rose Show". Recorded on October 19, 2007. "WNET" (New York). First broadcast October 22 (to October 23), 2007, 11:30 p.m.–12:27 p.m. (ET). Video clip posted October 27, 2007. Accessed November 12, 2007.
('Filmography' for Jude Law) at the "British Film Institute" (BFI). Accessed November 12, 2007.
('Jude Law') at "TV Guide" (U.S.).
('Jude Law's Charity Work') - Information posted by "Looktothestars.org". Accessed November 12, 2007.
(Jude Law Heads To Afghanistan) AP video. Accessed November 13, 2007.
('A Message from Our Chair') - Message from Jude Law, Chair, Music for Tomorrow, "musicfortomorrow.org" (Official site of charitable foundation). Accessed November 12, 2007.
('(U)ncovering a 'Sleuth") . Reel Talk Interview with Jude Law by Jeffrey Lyons. Broadcast November 3, 2007. Accessed November 12, 2007. (Video clip of interview about "Sleuth".)
Credit
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article about Jude Law.
