Charlie Hunnam is a renowned English actor who gained fame for his role in the television drama series ‘Queer as Folk.’ He was discovered by a producer while goofing around at a shoe store and was given a role in the series ‘Byker Grove.’ Hunnam’s breakthrough came with his portrayal of ‘Nathan Maloney’ in ‘Queer as Folk,’ which established him as a talented actor. He later moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in US films and television. Hunnam has showcased his versatility by starring in various genres and delivering remarkable performances, notably in the series ‘Sons of Anarchy’ as ‘Jackson Teller.’ His talent has been recognized with prestigious awards such as the ‘CinemaCon Award’ for ‘Male Star of the Year’ and the ‘Huading Award’ for ‘Best Global Emerging Actor.’
Quick Facts
- British Celebrities Born In April
- Also Known As: Charles Matthew Hunnam
- Age: 43 Years, 43 Year Old Males
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Katharine Towne (m. 1999–2002)
- Father: William Hunnam
- Mother: Jane Hunnam
- Partner: Morgana McNelis (2005)
- Born Country: England
- Quotes By Charlie Hunnam
- Actors
- Height: 6’1″ (185 cm), 6’1″ Males
- Notable Alumni: University Of Cumbria
- City: Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
- More Facts
- Education: Heaton Manor School, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School
Childhood & Early Life
Charlie Hunnam was born on April 10, 1980, in Newcastle, England, to William ‘Billy’ Hunnam and Jane Bell. His father was a gangster and scrap metal merchant, while his mother was a ballet dancer who owned a gift shop. He has an elder brother and two younger step-brothers. His parents separated when he was two years old. He grew up in Newcastle upon Tyne and attended Heaton Manor School. After his mother remarried and moved to Melmerby, Cumbria, he enrolled at Elizabeth Grammar School. He was expelled from school and completed his exams from home. He later graduated from Cumbria College of Art and Design with a degree in theory and history of film.
Career
Charlie Hunnam’s acting career began when he was spotted by a production manager of the children’s show “Byker Grove” while goofing around in a shoe store. He was given the opportunity to play the character of Jason for three episodes. At the age of 18, he landed a role in the British teen series “Microsoap” and gained recognition for his performance. This led to a major role in the drama “Queer as Folk,” where he portrayed the character of Nathan Maloney. The show was highly praised and he became a role model for LGBT youth groups.
Hunnam continued to make a name for himself in the industry with roles in films such as “Whatever happened to Harold Smith?” and “Nicholas Nickelby.” He then moved to Los Angeles and appeared in the TV series “Young Americans” and “Undeclared.” In 2002, he made his American film debut in the thriller “Abandon” and also starred in the movie adaptation of Charles Dickens’ novel “Nicholas Nickelby.” He later appeared in films like “Cold Mountain” and “Green Street Hooligans.”
One of Hunnam’s most notable roles was as Jackson Teller in the television biker drama “Sons of Anarchy.” This role earned him critical acclaim and nominations at award ceremonies. He has since appeared in various films, including “Pacific Rim,” “Crimson Peak,” “The Lost City of Z,” and “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.”
Personal Life & Legacy
Charlie Hunnam married Katharine Towne in 1999, but they divorced in 2002. He has been in a relationship with jewelry designer Morgana McNelis since 2005. In addition to his acting career, Hunnam is also trained in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and received his blue belt in 2018.
Trivia
Hunnam was cast to play a role in the independent film “Anderson Cross,” but had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts. The director chose to erase the character from the script instead of recasting it.
Quotes
- “Time is precious. Don’t waste it.”
- “I’m a big believer in the fact that life is about the journey and not about the destination.”