Jude Law

Birthday: 29 December 1972, Lewisham, London, England, UK

Birth Name: David Jude Law

Height: 178 cm

Jude Law is a talented and versatile actor. Law has been nominated for two Academy Awards and continues to build a prolific body of work that spans from early successes such as Gattaca (1997) and The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) to more recent turns as Dr. John Watson in Sherlock Holmes (2009) and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011), as Hugo's father in Hugo (2011) and in the titular role in Dom Hemingway (2013).David Jude Law was born on December 29, 1972 in Lewisham, London, England, to Margaret Anne (Heyworth) and Peter Robert Law, both of whom taught at comprehensive schools; his father later became a headmaster. Law has said that he was named after both the book Jude the Obscure and the song Hey Jude.In 1992, Jude began his stage career. He starred in many plays throughout London, and was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award of "Outstanding Newcomer" After doing the play "Indiscretions" in London, he moved and did it again on Broadway. This time, he was alongside Kathleen Turner. He then received a Tony Nomination for "Outstanding Supporting Actor". He was then rewarded the Theatre World Award. After Broadway, Jude started on the big screen, in many independent films. His first big-named movie was Gattaca (1997), with Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke. He also had a good role in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997). Jude's latest rise to fame has been because of The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), in which he plays Matt Damon's obsession. The film did very well at the box office, and critics loved Jude's acting.Following the success of Gattaca (1997) and The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), Law's feature film career continued to gain momentum throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s with roles in such films as Enemy at the Gates (2001), Road to Perdition (2002), I Heart Huckabees (2004), The Aviator (2004) and many others. Law is one of three actors, along with Colin Farrell and Johnny Depp, to take over acting responsibilities in the Terry Gilliam project The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) following Heath Ledger's death.Law is a partner in the production company "Natural Nylon". His partners include Jonny Lee Miller, Ewan McGregor and his ex-wife Sadie Frost.Law has been active in many charitable activities and supports several different foundations and causes, doing work for organizations including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Make Poverty History, Breast Cancer Care and others. Law is also a peace advocate, and in 2011, participated in street protests against the rule of Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus.Law married Sadie Frost in 1997 and the couple had two sons (Rafferty and Rudy) and a daughter (Iris) before divorcing in 2003. Law and Alfie (2004) co-star Sienna Miller were engaged to be married in 2005 and separated in 2006 (they would later rekindle their relationship in 2009, splitting once again in 2011). Law and American model Samantha Burke had a brief relationship in 2008 that resulted in the birth of Law's fourth child, daughter Sophia. Law's fifth child, with an ex-girlfriend, Catherine Harding, was born in 2015. Hide

[about working on Enemy at the Gates (2001)] Yeah, I got blown up, cut up...I remember actually, whe Show more [about working on Enemy at the Gates (2001)] Yeah, I got blown up, cut up...I remember actually, when I had to go the Ripley premiere which was happening at that time, I arrived with this huge gash in my head. Very cool, really. Hide

I've always liked what Thomas More said in Utopia, which is that in Utopia every person is allowed t Show more I've always liked what Thomas More said in Utopia, which is that in Utopia every person is allowed their own lifestyle and religion but no one is allowed to stand on a soapbox and tell others that theirs is right. I thought that was brilliant. Brilliant. Hide

Success, and even life itself, wouldn't be worth anything if I didn't have my wife and children by m Show more Success, and even life itself, wouldn't be worth anything if I didn't have my wife and children by my side. They mean everything to me. Hide

(2004 quote) I've spent most of my free time the past 10 years traveling in Southeast Asia. It start Show more (2004 quote) I've spent most of my free time the past 10 years traveling in Southeast Asia. It started with a trip to Vietnam, because we were told it could be a wonderful place to visit. I loved it and have been to Cambodia, China, Malaysia and Bali. Now I'm intrigued to see places like South America or Africa. I like the idea of constantly discovering. Hide

"Hamlet" is a bit like a great song that's been covered by a load of different singers. It's like Bo Show more "Hamlet" is a bit like a great song that's been covered by a load of different singers. It's like Bob Dylan, Van Morrison and Joni Mitchell all covering the same song. But they would each bring a different sound and colour to it (May 2009). Hide

Well, I had to do a nude scene [in the play Indiscretions], and you're on stage naked but you get ov Show more Well, I had to do a nude scene [in the play Indiscretions], and you're on stage naked but you get over it, you do whatever you have to do. But the first night, my character is just getting out of the bath, and the rest of the crew had poured in freezing cold water. Hide

[2013, on privacy] I find it terribly hard to talk about it, because I hear myself as a whingy, moan Show more [2013, on privacy] I find it terribly hard to talk about it, because I hear myself as a whingy, moany, lucky person. So it's an awkward thing to voice fairly. But I certainly sometimes weighed up what I was getting out of the job with the hassle and the grief that I was being caused at home. And what I took from that was, "Well, I'd better start making better choices at work." Because I didn't want to give it up. I thought, "Well, if I'm considering stopping, then it means the work's not worth it, so the work should become worth it." I'm only interested in what people do in their work life; I'm genuinely not interested in what they do outside of their work. It just seems disappointing to me that people are. I'm lucky to work with some really interesting people, I'm lucky to work in some really interesting stuff. Yet apparently it's more interesting to talk about my hairline, or whether I've gained some weight or not, or whether I'm seeing someone or not. And I just think we're allowing ourselves to go into a real slurry of lowbrow, gossipy crap. It seems that's becoming a national tendency. Hide

My only obligation is to keep myself and other people guessing. My only obligation is to keep myself and other people guessing.

There were two instances where the police were called for whatever reason to my old house and they s Show more There were two instances where the police were called for whatever reason to my old house and they sold the story, telling lies. The police were responding to phone calls that happened, but they were then coming out and creating an atmosphere, a drama, when actually nothing had happened; there were no charges pressed. But that's the High Court and then the police selling stories, so how are you going to live in a country and feel safe? Hide

[on Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001)] I liked that movie. I think the thing that shocked me about Show more [on Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001)] I liked that movie. I think the thing that shocked me about that film was that the appendix to the film wasn't in the script I read and was an addition that Steven (Spielberg) came up with later. Maybe he always knew he was going to do it, but I certainly had no idea. It must be the only subtitle in the world that reads "4,000 years later". You're thinking, "What?!" I personally felt it could have ended with him underwater. There's a lot in that film that's very, very interesting and dark. Hide

[on his role in Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001)] Steven Spielberg's approach to Gigolo Joe was th Show more [on his role in Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001)] Steven Spielberg's approach to Gigolo Joe was the perfect middle ground, compared to Kubrick's far darker original vision. The character was originally much more aggressive, sinister, and far from Spielberg's revised conception as an innocent who's abused. He's a hooker who ultimately comes round to learning to love in a different way. Hide

[on his role in The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)] I told Anthony that if I play Dickie Greenleaf, I wa Show more [on his role in The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)] I told Anthony that if I play Dickie Greenleaf, I want to eat in the best restaurants and drink the best wines every night because he would. Hide

I have no problem with nudity. My friend Ewan McGregor and I are starkers in most of our films. I have no problem with nudity. My friend Ewan McGregor and I are starkers in most of our films.

(About his injury during Dickie's death scene in The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)) "Matt [Damon] broke Show more (About his injury during Dickie's death scene in The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)) "Matt [Damon] broke my rib! But I think I strained his neck, we got a little bit carried away". Hide

[on comic book films] I've got nothing against them, I see them with my kids, we analyse them over d Show more [on comic book films] I've got nothing against them, I see them with my kids, we analyse them over dinner after. Some work in my mind, some don't. I just think it's a shame. I was talking about this with a friend of mine who was very excited about one of those movies. And in the end, I said, "Mate, he's a cartoon character!" I was like, "Wouldn't it be wonderful if we were talking like this about a film like Apocalypse Now (1979) or The Godfather (1972)?" Films that I grew up watching, that to me were adult movies. Event movies that were for adults, like The Deer Hunter (1978). Instead we're all getting excited about cartoon characters! We're grown-ups! That to me is a sad situation. There's a place for those films, and I love them, but it seems it's either all that or nothing. Hide

[on making Gattaca (1997)] It was the first time I felt I was making a script I believed in, and tha Show more [on making Gattaca (1997)] It was the first time I felt I was making a script I believed in, and that I'd see something on screen close to what I'd hoped, rather than this vaguely confusing wilderness my jobs had been to this point. It was my first project with quality minds behind it, Jersey Films, Andrew Niccol and Ethan Hawke, who was a joy to work with. I felt we had a real meeting of the minds. Hide

I honestly have no interest in celebrity whatsoever. If anything, I always cringe at it because it t Show more I honestly have no interest in celebrity whatsoever. If anything, I always cringe at it because it takes away from what I am, which is an actor who wants to be better and do better things. Hide

I never thought I had to forge a family, but it felt the most natural thing that ever happened to me Show more I never thought I had to forge a family, but it felt the most natural thing that ever happened to me - meeting someone and becoming a father. Hide

As a culture, the West has found itself in a strange, not battle of the genders, but battle in one's Show more As a culture, the West has found itself in a strange, not battle of the genders, but battle in one's own gender. There's been so much equalizing that we've all kind of lost a little sense of who and what we're about, and a certain amount of definitions of who and what being a woman and being a man is about. It's almost like a murky middle ground that sometimes diffuses the definition and out of that has indeed spawned, in certain areas, misogynism. Hide

I think it's a bigger risk following a part that plays up your looks than it is to try and carve out Show more I think it's a bigger risk following a part that plays up your looks than it is to try and carve out a career as an actor. Hide

I just want to say I am deeply ashamed and upset that I've hurt Sienna and the people most close to Show more I just want to say I am deeply ashamed and upset that I've hurt Sienna and the people most close to us. Hide

The truth is, one can work for another ten years and be playing parts, pushing yourself as hard as y Show more The truth is, one can work for another ten years and be playing parts, pushing yourself as hard as you can, and you are still accused of that. You're still tainted with that brush. I'm not called Jude Law, I have three names; I'm called 'Hunk Jude Law' or 'Heartthrob Jude Law'. In England anyway, that's my full name. That's the cheap language that's thrown around, that sums you up in one little bracket. It doesn't look at your life. But if one looks beyond, there is actually a little bit more. Hide

I've always thought Prince Charming in Cinderella was the most boring role; I'd rather be the Wicked Show more I've always thought Prince Charming in Cinderella was the most boring role; I'd rather be the Wicked Witch. Hide

[on Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)] The funny thing about Sky Captain is that a year l Show more [on Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)] The funny thing about Sky Captain is that a year later, Peter Jackson was doing retro-style CG movies in colour, and it was suddenly making hundreds of millions of pounds. That's not to say there weren't other faults with Sky Captain - you could argue that the script could have been tighter - but when you look back at it, there's a lot about it that really worked. And maybe we were just a bit early. Nowadays, film has become a kind of sport, all played out on an opening weekend. Hide

I really try and mix up what I do. The parts that interest me are very varied. I'm really not, and n Show more I really try and mix up what I do. The parts that interest me are very varied. I'm really not, and never have been, an actor who's particularly keen on playing one type of role or fitting into a pigeonhole. I'm still aware that people think, "Oh, he does this kind of part." But if you look at the work I do, it often isn't the case. And every time I do something that's slightly different they go, "Oh gosh, that's a first." I think, "Well, I haven't done a hundred dashing leading men." I like changing it up. Hide

I would never know how to sell myself as a sex symbol. That's not how I'm programmed. I would never know how to sell myself as a sex symbol. That's not how I'm programmed.

[on his desire to make a foreign language film] I'd be very keen to act a foreign language film, esp Show more [on his desire to make a foreign language film] I'd be very keen to act a foreign language film, especially French. I like Jacques Audiard - especially De rouille et d'os (2012) and Un prophète (2009) - and Michael Haneke, to me, he is probably the great director of the moment. His last four or five films have been pretty much faultless. I'd learn Congolese for him. Hide

I don't want to do anything that I'm not passionate about. I don't want to do anything that I'm not passionate about.

[...] you go to the National with your parents and think: 'I'd love to be here.' And then suddenly y Show more [...] you go to the National with your parents and think: 'I'd love to be here.' And then suddenly you are. It's a dream come true. Hide

"Face it, I didn't become famous until I took my clothes off" - (People Magazine 3/26/01) "Face it, I didn't become famous until I took my clothes off" - (People Magazine 3/26/01)

I've never been a great believer in relying on good looks to get you through. To me it's all about t Show more I've never been a great believer in relying on good looks to get you through. To me it's all about the work and what you do in the workplace. Hide

Bosie [from the movie Wilde (1997)] was the first part I was ever offered, which I suppose is sort o Show more Bosie [from the movie Wilde (1997)] was the first part I was ever offered, which I suppose is sort of an insult because he's just the nastiest bastard! Hide

[on playing Dom Hemingway (2013)] It was a wonderful cathartic purge. There were nuances and tones t Show more [on playing Dom Hemingway (2013)] It was a wonderful cathartic purge. There were nuances and tones to him, cause he's a deep and complicated and layered kind of human, as we all are. There's a wonderful kind of swagger that is incredible to step into. And that rubs off on you, you know? When you walk around in an electric blue suit and Cuban heel boots, you can't help but walk around with a bit of attitude. Hide

[on stages in choosing acting roles] There's the part that feels like you get over the minefield of Show more [on stages in choosing acting roles] There's the part that feels like you get over the minefield of being 20 or early 30s in Hollywood..and stick your fingers up and go ''vanity has to go out the window and character has to come flying in'. It's kinda nice to shock people I suppose. Hide

[about how he got the role of Gigolo Joe in Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001)] Through one of those Show more [about how he got the role of Gigolo Joe in Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001)] Through one of those fantastical phone calls when your agent calls you and says Steven Spielberg is on the phone, he wants to speak to you about his next film'. And once you've peeled yourself of the ceiling, you go *clears throat* Yeah, great. Hide

(about the paparazzi) "I throw root vegetables at them." (about the paparazzi) "I throw root vegetables at them."

The only film I ever made for money was something called Music From Another Room, which I really did Show more The only film I ever made for money was something called Music From Another Room, which I really didn't like. Hide

It's not ideal for me that they come out all one after the other in four or five months. I did them Show more It's not ideal for me that they come out all one after the other in four or five months. I did them all because I found them very different different kinds of films, different kinds of parts. And I hope people recognize the variety rather than the onslaught". [on Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004), I Heart Huckabees (2004), Alfie (2004), Closer (2004) and The Aviator (2004) coming out within 6 months of each other. He actually did them in the last two years.] Hide

[on working with Richard Shepard on Dom Hemingway (2013)] We both sort of knew, from the off, that i Show more [on working with Richard Shepard on Dom Hemingway (2013)] We both sort of knew, from the off, that in order for the film to work, Dom had to work. And we both kind of fell in love with the character, and bonded over our mutual love of this insane, excessive rogue. I needed him and he needed me, and Dom needed both of us. Hide

[on filming Enemy at the Gates (2001)] It was cold, very, very cold. I don't remember a lot of dayli Show more [on filming Enemy at the Gates (2001)] It was cold, very, very cold. I don't remember a lot of daylight, just endless hours of being buried in rubble, interrupted by lots of raising collective spirits by singing Russian folk songs. Can our genuine physical suffering be seen on film? I bloody hope so. Hide

I only want to do the kind of work that I would like to go and see, that's going to teach me somethi Show more I only want to do the kind of work that I would like to go and see, that's going to teach me something new, that involves working with people I can learn something from and I can give something to. Hide

Jude Law's FILMOGRAPHY

as Actor (126)

20-20 - Season 48

Saturday Night Live - Season 14

Saturday Night Live - Season 5

Saturday Night Live - Season 4

Hugo

The Holiday

Saturday Night Live - Season 28

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew - Season 1

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Toast of London - Season 2

Dom Hemingway

I Heart Huckabees

Exit Through the Gift Shop

The Aviator (2004)

The Third Day - Season 1

Firebrand (2024)

The Graham Norton Show - Season 21

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert - Season 5

Immortality (The Wisdom of Crocodiles)

The Graham Norton Show - Season 1

The Graham Norton Show - Season 29

The 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards 2018

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

The Graham Norton Show - Season 18

The Order (2024)

Jude Law'S roles

Michael Daly

Captain Robinson

Dom Hemingway

Alfie Elkins

Aleksei Aleksandrovich Karenin

Inman

Gigolo Joe

Vortigern

Hugo's Father

Bradley Fine