Jonathan Rhys Meyers

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Not to be confused with John Rhys-Davies.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers
JonathanRhysMeyersApr06.jpg
Rhys Meyers at London premiere of
Mission: Impossible III, 25 April 2006
Born Jonathan Michael Francis O'Keeffe
(1977-07-27) 27 July 1977 (age 35)
Dublin, Ireland
Occupation Actor, model, vocalist
Years active 1994–present
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)

Jonathan Rhys Meyers (born Jonathan Michael Francis O'Keeffe; 27 July 1977) is an Irish actor and model.

He is best known for his roles in the films Velvet Goldmine, Mission Impossible III, Bend It Like Beckham, Match Point and his television roles as Elvis Presley in the biographical miniseries Elvis, which earned him a Golden Globe for Best Actor, and as King Henry VIII in the historical drama The Tudors.[1][2] He has been the face of several advertising campaigns for Hugo Boss fragrances.[3] He recently has been cast as Valentine Morgenstern in the upcoming film The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.

Contents

Early life [edit]

He was born in Dublin, Ireland, the son of Mary Geraldine "Geri" Meyers and musician John O'Keeffe.[4][5] He was raised Roman Catholic by his family.[6] Born in Drimnagh, he moved to Cork, at one year old and was raised there with his three younger brothers, Jamie, Alan, and Paul, who are all professional musicians.[7] When he was three, his parents separated. His mother raised Rhys Meyers and his brother Alan while his other two brothers went to live at their grandmother's house with their father.[8] Rhys Meyers attended North Monastery School.[9]

Career [edit]

Rhys Meyers was expelled from the North Monastery Secondary School at age 16 for truancy and spent much of his time hanging out in pool halls. Casting agents looking for Irish boys to appear in War of the Buttons spotted Rhys Meyers at a Cork pool hall, the Victoria Sporting Club, and invited him to audition.[10] Although he was passed over for War of the Buttons, the casting agents encouraged him to pursue a career in acting.[11] His first film role came soon afterward, in A Man of No Importance (1994). In 1996, he appeared in Michael Collins, as the title character's assassin. In 1999, he appeared in Ride with the Devil as psychopathic guerrilla fighter Pitt Mackeson.

Rhys Meyers has starred in television series including Gormenghast (2000) and in the CBS 4-hour mini-series Elvis (2005) as Elvis Presley alongside Randy Quaid as Colonel Tom Parker and Rose McGowan as Ann-Margret, but didn't sing for his role in the miniseries.[12] The latter earned him an Emmy[13] nomination and a Golden Globe win.[14] He has starred in the CBC/Showtime co-production The Tudors (2007) as Henry VIII. He was nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Drama in 2007 for the role.[15]

His film roles range from a David Bowie-inspired glam rock star in Velvet Goldmine (1998) to a dedicated girls' football coach in Bend It Like Beckham (2002). He appeared in Vanity Fair (2004) opposite Reese Witherspoon. He co-starred opposite Colin Farrell and Angelina Jolie in Oliver Stone's epic Alexander (2004). In 2005, Rhys Meyers starred in Woody Allen's film Match Point, for which he received a Chopard Trophy at the Cannes Film Festival. In 2006, he appeared in Mission: Impossible III. Subsequent projects included August Rush (2007) and The Children of Huang Shi (2008), Shelter, co-starring Julianne Moore, and From Paris with Love (2010), co-starring John Travolta.[16]

In 2012, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers stars in "Belle du Seigneur" (an English-language film adaptation of Albert Cohen's novel) as Solal des Solal. The movie will be released in Russia on November 29 and in France in 2013. Rhys Meyers, a self-taught singer and guitarist, has appeared in a number of musical roles. His first such role was that of rock star Brian Slade in Velvet Goldmine; two of the songs he sang ("Baby's On Fire" and "Tumbling Down") are on the film's soundtrack. He sang briefly in the TV miniseries version of The Magnificent Ambersons, performed in studio scenes of the miniseries Elvis and played the flute in Gormenghast. In the 2007 music drama August Rush, Rhys Meyers performed on-screen as singer-songwriter Louis Connelly and is credited for four songs on the soundtrack – "Break", "Moondance", "Something Inside", and "This Time". Of the four, "This Time" and "Break" were considered in the Best Original Song category of the 80th Academy Awards.[17] "This Time" was not released as a single but peaked at #84 of the Canadian Hot 100.[18]

Rhys Meyers was chosen as the face for the Versace men's collection of Autumn/Winter 2006 and Spring 2007,[19] and he was the face of the Hugo Boss men's fragrance range from 2006[20] until he was replaced with Jared Leto in 2011.[21] He is signed to Independent Models in London.[1] In February 2008, he became a celebrity ambassador for the Cork-based charitable organization The Hope Foundation.[22] On 5 October 2008, Rhys Meyers received an Honorary Patronage from the Trinity College Philosophical Society in Dublin, Ireland.[23] In May of 2013 it was rumored that Jonathan Rhys Meyers is in talks for the upcoming space opera Star Wars Episode VII, due in theaters summer of 2015. [24]

Personal life [edit]

From 2004 to 2012, Rhys Meyers was in a relationship with Reena Hammer, daughter of Ruby Hammer.[25][26][27] Since late 2012, Rhys Meyers has been romantically linked to Australian model Victoria Keon-Cohen.[28][29]

In May 2005, Rhys Meyers checked into a rehabilitation facility, Promises in Malibu, California, seeking treatment for alcohol abuse. On 24 April 2007, the Associated Press reported that Rhys Meyers returned to treatment. The actor's representative Meredith O'Sullivan confirmed the news to People magazine citing his need to take a break from his busy schedule in order to maintain sobriety.[30][31]

On 20 November 2007, Rhys Meyers's mother, Geraldine "Geri" Meyers-O’Keeffe, died at Mercy University Hospital in Cork, Ireland following a short illness.[32] Her funeral was attended by "hundreds of mourners" including film director Neil Jordan and actors Cillian Murphy and Colin Farrell.[33]

On 27 February 2009, the actor checked into rehab a third time, seeking help for alcohol addiction; and checked out on 15 March 2009.[34]

In May 2010, it was reported that Rhys Meyers was banned for life from flying on United Airlines due to "belligerent" and "disruptive" behaviour including reported use of a racial slur in an incident involving alcohol[35][36] at John F. Kennedy airport.[37]

In November 2011, Meyers was ordered by a French court to pay a restitution of €1,000 and was given a judgment of a suspended sentence for public intoxication 24 months earlier.[38]

Filmography [edit]

Feature films
Year Film Role Notes
1994 A Man of No Importance First Young Man
1996 The Killer Tongue Rudolph
1996 Disappearance of Finbar, TheThe Disappearance of Finbar Finbar Flynn
1996 Michael Collins Collins's assassin
1996 Samson and Delilah Young Samson TV movie
1997 Maker, TheThe Maker Josh Minnell
1997 Telling Lies in America Kevin Boyle
1998 Velvet Goldmine Brian Slade Nominated—London Critics Circle Film Award for British Newcomer of the Year 
1998 The Governess Henry Cavendish
1998 B. Monkey Bruno
1998 Tribe, TheThe Tribe Adam
1999 Loss of Sexual Innocence, TheThe Loss of Sexual Innocence Nic
1999 Ride with the Devil Pitt Mackeson
1999 Titus Chiron
2001 Prozac Nation Noah
2001 Tangled Alan Hammond
2001 Happy Now Mark Wraith
2002 Bend It Like Beckham Joe
2003 Tesseract, TheThe Tesseract Sean
2003 Octane The Father
2003 I'll Sleep When I'm Dead Davey Graham
2003 The Emperor's Wife Chamberlain
2003 The Lion in Winter King Philip II TV movie
2004 Vanity Fair Captain George Osborne
2004 Alexander Cassander
2005 Match Point Chris Wilton
2006 Mission: Impossible III Declan Gormley
2007 August Rush Louis Connelly
2008 Children of Huang Shi, TheThe Children of Huang Shi George Hogg
2008 A Film with Me in It Pierce 2 Cameo
2010 Shelter Adam
2010 From Paris with Love James Reese
2011 Albert Nobbs Viscount Yarrell
2012 Belle du Seigneur Solal
2013 The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Valentine Morgenstern
Television
Year title Role Notes
2000 Gormenghast Steerpike BBC miniseries
2002 Magnificent Ambersons, TheThe Magnificent Ambersons George Amberson Minafer A&E miniseries
2005 Elvis Elvis Presley Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film
Satellite Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
2007—2010 The Tudors King Henry VIII 38 episodes
Irish Film and Television Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role in Television
Nominated—Irish Film and Television Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role in Television
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama (2008-2009)
2013 Dracula Dracula / Alexander Grayson Lead role

Awards and nominations [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ Monroe, Justin. "Reign Man", Complex, October 2007. Retrieved 10 April 2008.
  2. ^ Wolf, Matt. "Earning an 'A' for Androgyny on the Screen", New York Times, 13 September 1998. Retrieved 10 April 2008.
  3. ^ "Hugo Fragrances – Eau de Parfum – Hugo by Hugo Boss". Hugo.com. Retrieved 2010-07-31. 
  4. ^ Film Reference.com.
  5. ^ "Meyers biography. Yahoo! movies". Movies.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2010-07-31. 
  6. ^ Waxman, Sharon (2005-11-06). "At Home in Oliver's Macedonia and Woody's London". The New York Times. Retrieved 2011-01-08. 
  7. ^ "Jersey – Entertainment – the OKs". BBC. 30 August 2005. 
  8. ^ Victoria Moore (24 November 2007). "The troubling truth about Jonathan Rhys Meyers". The Daily Mail. Retrieved 24 August 2011. 
  9. ^ Barry Roche (7 April 2011). "Council celebrates 200th anniversary of North Monastery school's founding". The Irish Times. Retrieved 24 August 2011. 
  10. ^ "Comment:a chameleon from Cork who can pass for the King". The Sunday Times. 22 January 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2011. 
  11. ^ "Jonathan Rhys Meyers- Biography". Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved 14 May 2013. 
  12. ^ "In Step With: Jonathan Rhys Meyers". Parade Magazine. 1 May 2005. 
  13. ^ Jonathan Rhys Meyers Emmy Award Nominee
  14. ^ "2006 Golden Globe Awards Nominations & Winners", HFPA.org, January 2006. Retrieved 14 April 2008.
  15. ^ "2008 Golden Globe Awards Nominations & Winners", HFPA.org, January 2008. Retrieved 14 April 2008.
  16. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy "EuropaCorp begins shoot on From Paris With Love", Screen Daily, 23 September 2008. Retrieved 24 September 2008.
  17. ^ "59 Songs Tune Up for 2007 Oscar", Oscars.org, 12 December 2007
  18. ^ "Jonathan Rhys Meyers – This Time", aCharts.us. Retrieved 30 September 2008.
  19. ^ Dolly Jones (July 19, 2006). "Versace's Irish tipple". Vogue. Retrieved February 15, 2013. 
  20. ^ "Jonathan Rhys-Meyers endorses Hugo Boss". Starpulse.com. August 25, 2006. Retrieved February 15, 2013. 
  21. ^ "Jonathan Rhys Meyers dropped by Hugo Boss". contactmusic.com. May 5, 2011. Retrieved February 15, 2013. 
  22. ^ "Rhys Meyers to help Calcutta children", RTÉ Entertainment, 18 February 2008. Retrieved 6 October 2008.
  23. ^ "Trinity College to honour Rhys Meyers". Irish Examiner. September 19, 2008. Retrieved February 15, 2013. 
  24. ^ {{cite web/url= http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/20/jonathan-rhys-meyers-star-wars_n_3306474.html
  25. ^ Eden, Richard (21 November 2009). "Marriage to Jonathan Rhys Meyers 'would be lovely', says Reena Hammer". The Telegraph. Retrieved 1 May 2012. 
  26. ^ "'Get help or I'll dump you': Jonathan Rhys Meyers returns to rehab after girlfriend issues ultimatum". Daily Mail. 19 May 2010. Retrieved 1 May 2012. 
  27. ^ Tim Walker (January 18, 2013). "Jonathan Rhys Meyer's former girlfriend finds a man she can bank on". The Telegraph. Retrieved February 15, 2013. 
  28. ^ "Has Jonathan Rhys Meyers found new love with an Australian model". Independent Woman. November 12, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2013. 
  29. ^ "MoS diary: How Henry VIII star was tamed - by society 'queen' Victoria". Daily Mail. December 9, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2013. 
  30. ^ "Jonathan Rhys Meyers checks into rehab". RTE.ie. 24 April 2007. 
  31. ^ McDonald, Ray (30 April 2007). "Actor Jonathan Rhys-Meyers Enters Rehab". VOA News (Voice of America). Retrieved 25 December 2008. 
  32. ^ "'Rhys Meyers's mother dies in hospital". Irish Examiner. 21 November 2007. 
  33. ^ "'Actor buries his mother'". The Sun. 23 November 2007. 
  34. ^ "'Best of the rest: Jonathan Rhys Meyers goes to rehab . . . again". NY Daily News. 28 February 2009. 
  35. ^ "'Tudors' star Jonathan Rhys Meyers used N-word in airport altercation, report says " Entertainment". Entertainment.blogs.foxnews.com. 2010-04-07. Retrieved 2010-07-31. 
  36. ^ "Tudors star Jonathan Rhys Meyers in 'N word' airport bust-up | The Sun |Showbiz|TV". The Sun. 2010-05-18. Retrieved 2010-07-31. 
  37. ^ "Jonathan Rhys Meyers BANNED From United Airlines Flight". Huffington Post. 14 May 2010. 
  38. ^ "Jonathan Rhys Meyers fined for threatening To kill French policeMen". MSN.com. 17 November 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2011. 
  39. ^ Whelan, Natalie. "Brits dominate Golden Nymph Awards", The Guardian, 13 June 2008. Retrieved 13 June 2008.

August Rush

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