An inspiring story that restores faith in the fact that one does not have to be born into a wealthy or prominent family in order to achieve success.
Comprised of orphanages and high school expulsion, the 28-year-old actor Jonathan Rhys-Meyers escaped a difficult Irish childhood to shape an impressive path for himself in the world of feature films.
Within Woody Allen's critically lauded MATCHPOINT (nominated for four Golden Globe Awards®), Rhys-Meyers plays Christopher Wilton, an engaged former tennis pro whose interest in a vixen (Scarlett Johansson) jeopardizes his impending nuptials to a wealthy socialite (Emily Mortimer.) Appearing on-screen as both charming and disarming, Rhys-Meyers' dark, infectious good looks have been likened to those of Tom Cruise (hopefully, this is still a good thing.)
While MATCHPOINT did not earn Rhys-Meyers a Golden Globe Award® nomination for his role of Wilton, it did garner him a Cannes Film Festival 2005 Chopard Trophy for "Male Revelation", a distinction certain to net him closer critical scrutiny in the future.
On the experience of collaborating with the famed director, Rhys-Meyers in Carnegie Mellon University's Tartan Online publication states, "Working with Woody Allen was one of the easiest experiences I've ever had. He trusted me as an actor... He allowed me to bring my own characterization in every sense."
And, in Comingsoon.net, Rhys-Meyers reveals a bit more insightful perspective saying, "Even though I respect Woody Allen as one of the greatest directors in the world, I don't really idolize him the way other actors do. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed doing it, but I couldn't put Woody on that pedestal, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to work with him. I had to equalize myself in a way to work with him, instead of having this awe-struck attitude because then it wouldn't have worked."
Rhys-Meyers non-starry-eyed candor may come from the fact that rather than being formally trained in the acting profession he kind of "pocketed" his way into it. Born in Dublin, Ireland, when Rhys-Meyers was one-year-old, his family moved to County Cork, Ireland, (known for the infamous Blarney Stone which brings good luck to all who kiss it) and when he was three-years-old, his father split leaving his mother to care for "Jonny" and his three younger brothers.
At the age of 16, Rhys-Meyers, permanently expelled from high school, spent his days as a grifter in a local pool hall when casting agents spotted him for a film role audition.
While he did not get the part, he did get invited back to audition for a commercial campaign for Knorr Soup. In addition to winning the advertising gig, he also won his first feature film role, albeit a very small role for which he was generically credited as the "First Young Man" in A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE (1994.)
Though acting since 1994 in such films as: Neil Jordan's MICHAEL COLLINS (1996), Todd Hayne's VELVET GOLDMINE (1998), Ang Lee's RIDE WITH THE DEVIL (1999) and PROZAC NATION starring Christina Ricci (2001); Rhys-Meyers break out role did not come until 2002, as Joe, the team coach, in BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM, the hugely popular– feel good- women's football (soccer in America) flick.
And who knows-maybe the Blarney Stone in Rhys-Meyers' childhood town of County Cork really does bring good luck for his newfound notoriety led way to a steady stream of gigs in such feature films as: prince Philip in THE LION IN WINTER (2003-television); suitor George Osburne in VANITY FAIR (2004) starring Reese Witherspoon; and Cassander in Oliver Stone's ALEXANDER (2004) eventually leading up to playing the King himself, the title role of Elvis Presley in the CBS' made for television self entitled mini-series, ELVIS (2005). For this role, he earned both Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award nominations.
Quite astonishingly that-for someone who never had a formal education-he was able to tackle such historically sensitive roles. Yet, as Rhys Meyers explains, "Throughout my career, I've managed to be in many different historical times. I've been a Napoleonic soldier; in Alexander's army; a tycoon; and I've murdered one of the most famous Irish politicians. I actually put myself into those times, almost like a fantastic history lesson that you don't really get. Even though they're reenactments, they have rung true for me."
And such reenactments apparently also come into play when Rhys-Meyers steps into musical roles for-a musician in his own right-he sung all of the vocals for VELVET GOLDMINE and appeared on the soundtrack. And contributed to what has been has called a moving and meticulous portrayal of Elvis Presley in ELVIS.
Creating quite a buzz in Hollywood and European film circles, in addition to the Cannes' Chopard Trophy; in 2005, Rhys-Meyers won the Satellite Award from the International Press Academy (IPA), as well as, an Emmy® and Golden Globe Award® nominations for ELVIS, the mini-series.
It was in 1999 that he received his first critical nod, a nomination from the London Critics Circle Film Award for his role in VELVET GOLDMINE.
In light of all this such impressive fanfare, he has also landed an eclectic array of upcoming roles including: the big-budget, commercial extravaganza-MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE III; a return to period films as the character of Schmendrick along side Christopher Lee and Mia Farrow in THE LAST UNICORN; and, opposite Neve Campbell, the philosophical, sci-fi horror film, ADINA defined as exploring love, sex, and death across the universe.
For an Irish lad whose youth may have been anything but pleasant, Rhys-Meyers seems to have learned acting through both experience and hard knocks. Against all odds-applying 'life lessons' to his craft; Rhys-Meyers has managed to create a cavalcade of intense, mischievous and spry on-screen characters. But who's keeping score?....
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A capsulized profile on an emerging talent, i.e., actor/director in the film world and a snippet as to why he or she is destined to soon become a household name.
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| Nancy Simon |
A Chicago-based freelance writer and film enthusiast, Nancy has an insatiable curiousity and knack for picking out talented, promising individuals.
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