Paul Bettany Biography


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Paul Bettany biography: Paul Bettany (born 27 May, 1971) is an English actor who has starred as a wide range of characters in several diverse film genres. He has been nominated for BAFTA- and Screen Actors' Guild Awards as well as numerous critics and film circle awards.

Paul Bettany was born into a theatre family. His father, Thane Bettany, is still an actor. His mother Anne Kettle has retired from acting. He has an older sister who is a mother and a writer and he has a niece. His maternal grandmother, Olga Gwynne (her maiden and stage name), was a successful actress, while his maternal grandfather was a musician and promoter. He was brought up in North West London and after the age of 9 in Hertfordshire (Brookmans Park).


Paul Bettany quote:There's no such thing as "for sure". That's the only sure thing I do know.”

“In America, they shoot budgets and schedules, and they don't shoot films any more. There's more opportunity in Europe to make films that at least have a purity of intent.”

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Career Highlights
Non-acting careers:
Big break:
Defining characters:
Best movies:
Best TV:
Stage credits:
Endorsements:
Other notable appearances/credits:
Top awards:
Other:

Paul Bettany Relationships
Family:parents anne & thane, sister sarah, brother matthew (deceased)
wife jennifer
stepson kai dugan
son stellan
Romance(s):laura fraser
Frequent collaborator(s):russell crowe
ron howard
stellan skarsgard
Other affiliations:

Fun Facts About Paul Bettany
Son of Thane Bettany. Has one older sister named Sarah, who lives in Cornwall (England) with her daughter Emaly.Developed laryngitis after filming A Knight's Tale (2001) because of all the yelling he had to do as Geoffrey Chaucer.Also plays the guitar, and used to busk on Westminster Bridge in London.Acted for a year with the Royal Shakespeare Company.Has a stepson named Kai Dugan (mother is Jennifer Connelly).August 5, 2003 - his wife, Jennifer Connelly, gave birth to their first child, a boy.Son's name is Stellan, named after the actor Stellan Skarsgård who acted with him in Kiss Kiss (Bang Bang) (2000) and Dogville (2003).Apparently turned down the role of the Tooth Fairy in Red Dragon (2002) (most probably offered to him after his frightening appearance as psycho gangster in Gangster No. 1 (2000)) in favour of a much more poorly paid role in Lars von Trier's Dogville (2003).Has appeared in many theatre productions, debuting in Stephen Daldry's production of "An Inspectors Calls," grabbing the American film industry's attention in Joe Penhall's "Love and Understanding." He also appeared in "One More Waster Year" and "Stranger's House."Nominated for Best Actor for his role in Gangster No1 by London Film Critics Circle Awards.Paul's "acting heroes" are Humphrey Bogart, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Peter O'Toole and Vincent Cassel.When he was 16, his younger brother Matthew, who was 8, died in a fall. Consequently, he claimed to be obsessed with having lots of children.Won Evening Standard Film Award 2001 for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Geoffrey Chaucer in A Knight's Tale (2001).Writer/director Brian Helgeland wrote the role of Chaucer in A Knight's Tale (2001) specifically for Paul. He "refused" to do the movie without him. The production companies did not think Bettany was known well enough, Helgeland thought that if he backed down on his choice of Bettany, he would have to back down on everything else.Dated Laura Fraser.Was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in June 2004.Lists his favourite foods as cheese and broccoli; and his favourite drink is whisky.Quit smoking in 2005.He had to wear a wig for The Da Vinci Code because when they bleached his hair the bleach burned bleeding holes in his head.Gave up smoking in 2005 after seeing his 2 year-old son, Stellan, imitating him with a pen.His son's godfather is the actor Charlie Condou who starred with him in Dead Babies (2000) and Euston Road (2004).

Paul Bettany's Awards & Honors
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Paul Bettany's Upcoming Projects
  1. Priest (2010) (pre-production)
  2. Iron Man 2 (2010) (post-production) (voice) .... Jarvis
    ... aka Iron Man II (International: English title: promotional title)
  3. Legion (2010) (post-production) .... Michael
  4. Creation (2009) (completed) .... Charles Darwin
  5. Born (2009/I) (completed) (rumored) .... Joe

  1. American Pastoral
  2. South Solitary


Paul Bettany Links
  • www.paulbettany.net