Michael Fassbender
Michael Fassbender | |
|---|---|
 Fassbender in March 2012. | |
| Born | 2 April 1977 Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, West Germany |
| Nationality | Irish, German |
| Alma mater | Drama Centre London |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1994–present |
Michael Fassbender (born 2 April 1977) is an actor of Northern Irish and German parentage. He is perhaps best-known for having played Lieutenant Archie Hicox in the war film Inglourious Basterds (2009), directed by Quentin Tarantino; and Magneto in the superhero film X-Men: First Class (2011).
His other credits include the fantasy action film 300 (2007); the drama film Fish Tank (2009); the romantic drama film Jane Eyre (2011); the historical film A Dangerous Method (2011), directed by David Cronenberg, in which he plays psychologist Carl Jung; as well as the biographical film Hunger (2008) and the drama film Shame (2011), both directed by Steve McQueen. For his role in Shame, he won the Volpi Cup best-actor award at the 68th Venice International Film Festival held in August 2011.
Fassbender stars in the upcoming science fiction film Prometheus, directed by Ridley Scott, scheduled for release in June 2012.
Early life and education
Fassbender was born in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, West Germany (now Germany). His mother is from Larne, County Antrim in Northern Ireland, and his father, Josef Fassbender, is German.[1][2] According to Fassbender's "family lore", his mother is the great-great-niece of Michael Collins, an Irish leader during the War of Independence.[1][3] When he was two years old, his parents moved to Killarney, County Kerry, in the Republic of Ireland, where they ran the West End House, a restaurant where his father worked as a chef.[1][2] Fassbender was brought up as a Roman Catholic and served as an altar boy.[4]
He attended St. Brendan's, Killarney (The Sem) and the Drama Centre in North London.[5]
Career
Early work
Fassbender first played the part of Burton "Pat" Christenson in Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg's award-winning television miniseries Band of Brothers. He played the character of Azazeal in both series of Hex on Sky One and he also starred as the main character in the music video for the song "Blind Pilots", by the British band The Cooper Temple Clause. In the video, he plays the part of a man on a stag night with his friends, only to slowly transform into a goat due to wearing a cowbell necklace.
Fassbender played the part of Jonathan Harker in a ten-part radio serialization of Dracula produced by BBC Northern Ireland and broadcast in the Book at Bedtime series between 24 November and 5 December 2003. He was also seen in early 2004 in a Guinness television commercial, The Quarrel, playing a man who swims across the ocean from Ireland to apologize personally to his brother in New York.
During the 2006 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Fassbender played Michael Collins in Allegiance, a play by Mary Kenny based on the meeting between Winston Churchill and Collins, of whom Fassbender's mother is a great-niece.[6] In addition, he produced, directed and starred in the stage version of Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs, along with his production company.
He appeared in Angel (UK title: The Real Life of Angel Deverell), about the rise and fall of an eccentric young British writer (played by Romola Garai) in the early 20th century. Fassbender plays her love interest and average painter Esmé. The drama – the first English-language effort by French director François Ozon and based on the novel by Elizabeth Taylor – premiered on 17 February 2007 at the Berlin International Film Festival and on 14 March 2007 in Paris. He then made a brief appearance in Wedding Belles as Barney, speaking with a Scottish accent.
Mainstream success
In 2006, Fassbender played the role of Stelios, a young Spartan warrior, in 300, a fantasy action film directed by Zack Snyder. The film was a commercial success.[7]
In preparation for his role as Provisional Irish Republican Army prisoner Bobby Sands in Steve McQueen's 2008 film Hunger, Fassbender underwent a crash diet that restricted him to 600 calories a day. He received the British Independent Film Award for his performance.[8]
One year after his success at the Cannes Film Festival with Hunger, he appeared in two films. The first was Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds, in which he played the British officer Lieutenant Archie Hicox. The other film was Fish Tank directed by Andrea Arnold. Both films were critically acclaimed and Fassbender's work in them also well received.
In 2010, Fassbender appeared as Burke in Jonah Hex, a Western film.[9] In an interview at San Diego Comic-Con International, a comic book convention, Fassbender commented of the role: "I kind of developed this character and really pushed it – I’ll see how far I pushed it ... I had this idea about the character, he’s kind of psychotic, he gets his kicks in perverted ways. I didn’t want to make it very obvious or like something you’ve seen before".[10] Hex received predominately negative reviews.[11] Responding to criticism of Jonah Hex in 2011, Fassbender commented: "Pretty awful, was it? I haven't seen it myself."[12]
He also portrayed Quintus Dias in Neil Marshall's war-thriller-drama film Centurion.[13] and was cast as 'Richard Wirth' in the Joel Schumacher film Blood Creek alongside Dominic Purcell. The story centers on a West Virginia man who comes to terms with his moral qualms and helps his brother wipe out a family that had been protecting a Nazi occultist and who had kept his brother captive for him to feed off for years.
Fassbender played Edward Rochester in the 2011 film Jane Eyre, featuring Mia Wasikowska in the title role, with Cary Fukunaga directing.[14]
Fassbender portrayed Magneto in the superhero blockbuster X-Men: First Class, the prequel to X-Men. Set in 1962, it focuses on the friendship between Charles Xavier (played by James McAvoy) and Magneto and the origin of their groups, the X-Men and the Brotherhood of Mutants. The film was released on 3 June 2011 to general acclaim and financial success and promoted Fassbender to being more of a popular movie star.
In 2011, Fassbender starred in A Dangerous Method by director David Cronenberg, playing Swiss psychiatrist and psychologist Carl Jung. The film premiered at the 2011 Venice Film Festival.[15] He also starred in Shame, as a man in his thirties struggling with his sex addiction. Shame reunited him with director Steve McQueen and premiered at the 2011 Venice Film Festival, where Fassbender won a Volpi Cup best actor award for his portrayal of Brandon.[16] Fassbender was a serious contender for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, but he was not nominated, and according to various sources his full-frontal nudity and depiction of sexual encounters inspired voters "to fantasize, and not actually vote."[17][18] Fassbender achieved critical acclaim for his performance in Shame and received nominations for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama and a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
In 2012, he appeared in Haywire, an action-thriller directed by Steven Soderbergh.[19]
Future projects
In 2012, Fassbender will star in Prometheus,[20] with Noomi Rapace. He will play an android named David in the film, which is "incredibly human" and "cries robot tears – and creeps everyone out – in [an April] teaser" for the film. It is scheduled for release on 8 June 2012.[21]
Due to a schedule conflict, Fassbender had to pull out of negotiations to work with Oscar-winning director, Danny Boyle, in his new film, Trance.[22]
Fassbender signed to star in actor Brendan Gleeson's directorial debut of At Swim-Two-Birds,[23] a film adaptation of Irish author Flann O'Brien's novel. He will also team up for a third time with McQueen to co-star in a yet-to-be-determined role, with Chiwetel Ejiofor, portraying Solomon Northup, in Twelve Years A Slave, filming to commence in late summer of 2012.
Together with a screenwriter Ronan Bennett, Fassbender formed a production company Finn McCool Films. Fassbender and Bennett are currently developing a film about the Irish mythological hero Cú Chulainn.[24]
In February, Fassbender signed on to play a title role as a lawyer in The Counselor, a film directed by Ridley Scott and based on the Cormac McCarthy script, filming is to start in mid-June.[25]
He is also going to play Thomas Wolfe in a movie Genius about a famous literary editor Max Perkins, to be played by Colin Firth.[26]
In 2013, Fassbender is set to take on the role of Harry Flashman in a film adaptation of the books by George MacDonald Fraser.
Personal life
Shifting between British films and American films, Fassbender resides in London, England where he has lived for the last 15 years, while making career-related visits to Los Angeles, California.
He speaks conversational German, though he has stated that he needed to brush up a bit on his spoken German before filming Inglourious Basterds, as it was a bit rusty.[27][28] He has also expressed interest in performing in a German-language film or theater production one day.[29]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Band of Brothers | Burton 'Pat' Christenson | Miniseries |
| 2001 | Hearts and Bones | Hermann | 3 episodes |
| 2002 | NCS Manhunt | Jack Silver | |
| 2002 | Holby City | Christian Connolly | 1 episode |
| 2003 | Carla | Rob | |
| 2004 | Gunpowder, Treason & Plot | Guy Fawkes | |
| 2004 | Julian Fellowes Investigates: A Most Mysterious Murder | Charles Bravo | |
| 2004 | A Bear Named Winnie | Lt. Harry Colebourn | |
| 2004 | Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking | Charles Allen | |
| 2005 | Murphy's Law | Caz Miller | 5 episodes |
| 2005 | Our Hidden Lives | German POW | |
| 2004–2005 | Hex | Azazeal | 12 episodes |
| 2005 | William and Mary | Lukasz | 1 episode |
| 2006 | Agatha Christie's Poirot | George Abernethie | 1 episode |
| 2006 | Trial & Retribution: Sins of the Father | Douglas Nesbitt | |
| 2007 | Wedding Belles | Barney | |
| 2008 | The Devil's Whore | Thomas Rainsborough | Miniseries Nominated—IFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in Television |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Fable III | Logan |
| Year | Production | Playwright | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Fairytales Fairytales 123 | Donie Courtney | Cinderella's ugly sister | Stage debut[35] |
| 1995 | Reservoir Dogs | based on script by Quentin Tarantino | Mr. Pink | Also producer and director[35] |
| 1999 | Three Sisters | Anton Chekhov | Alexei Petrovich Fedotik | Performances: Oxford Stage Company |
| 2006 | Allegiance | Mary Kenny | Michael Collins | Performances: Edinburgh Festival Fringe[36] |
Television
Fassbender was at the Top Gear studios in Surrey, England, on 8 February 2012 to film Star in a Reasonably Priced Car, where celebs try to set a fastest lap time of the Top Gear test track in a low-spec family hatchback. The lap and his interview with Jeremy Clarkson was aired on BBC2 on 19 February 2012.
See also
References
- ^ a b c Garratt, Sheryl (18 October 2008). "Michael Fassbender on Playing Bobby Sands in Hunger". The Daily Telegraph.
- ^ a b "Blood, Sweat, Tears". The Irish Times. 5 April 2008. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
- ^ Mottram, James (9 August 2009). "Interview: Michael Fassbender – Lean and Mean". The Scotsman. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
- ^ "Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender for W". Tom & Lorenzo. 16 March 2011. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
- ^ "Michael Fassbender Visits the Sem" St. Brendan's, Killarney. Retieved 27 June 2011.
- ^ O'Doherty, Cahir (16 February 2011). "Michael Fassbender Is Officially a Hollywood Leading Man". IrishCentral. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
- ^ "All-Time USA Box office". IMBd. 7 March 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
- ^ "2008 Winners at British Independent Film Awards". Bifa.org.uk. 16 June 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
- ^ 16 February 2010 (16 February 2010). "In 2010". Alesrybarik.com. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ 19 August 2009 (19 August 2009). "In 2009". Screen Crave.
{{cite web}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help); Text "http://screencrave.com/2009-08-10/michael-fassbender-talks-jonah-hex/" ignored (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Jonah Hex Movie Reviews, Pictures". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved 5 October 2010.
- ^ 8 March 2011 (8 March 2011). "Michael Fassbender, future superstar". Salon. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Get Ready To Jump in New 'Centurion' Clip". Bloody-disgusting.com. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
- ^ Bartyzel, Monika (9 February 2010). "Casting Bites: From Weisz's 'Dream' to Wasikowska's 'Eyre' – The Moviefone Blog". Cinematical.com. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
- ^ Maytum, Matt, "Venice 2011: Michael Fassbender Wins Best Actor for Shame". TotalFilm.com. 11 September 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
- ^ Nikkhah, Roya (10 September 2011). "Michael Fassbender Wins Best actor at Venice for Sex-Addict role". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ "Oscars 2012: Did Michael Fassbender's Big Part Cost Him a Nom?". Los Angeles Times. 25 January 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
- ^ "Michael Fassbender's Penis Caused Oscar Snub?". The Huffington Post. 26 January 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
- ^ 16 February 2010 (16 February 2010). "In 2010". Alesrybarik.com. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Ryan, "Michael Fassbender Talks About Shooting Prometheus", reelzchannel.com blogpost quoting an unidentified LA Times interview; 4.12.11.
- ^ Watercutter, Angela, "New Prometheus Teaser Shows Android’s Softer Side", Wired Underwire blog, 17 April 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
- ^ Abrams, Rachel; Kroll, Justin (6 May 2011). "Fassbender in talks for Danny Boyle's 'Trance'". Variety. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas, (Subscription required) "Michael Fassbender, Luxembourg Fund Join Gleeson's At-Swim-Two-Birds", screendaily.com, 9 July 2011.
- ^ Dawtrey, Adam (17 February 2012). "Michael Fassbender preps Cuchulain project". Variety. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|3=(help); Text "LatestNews" ignored (help); Text "News" ignored (help) - ^ Fleming, Mike, "TOLDJA! Michael Fassbender Commits To Ridley Scott-Directed ‘The Counselor’", deadline.com, 21 February 2012.
- ^ Noonan, Peggy, "Peggy Noonan on How Harvey Weinstein Clawed Back To The Top", thedailybeast.com, 27 February 2012.
- ^ Cheney, Alexandra (2 June 2011). "Michael Fassbender, Supervillain with a Sensitive Side". The Wall Street Journal.
- ^ "Irish Actor Michael Fassbender Brushes Up on His German for 'Inglourious Basterds'". IrishCentral (21 August 2009). Retrieved 3 December 2011.
- ^ "A Michael Fassbender Fan Blog: June 2010". Fassinating Fassbender (6 December 2008). Retrieved 3 December 2011.
- ^ "2011 IGN Award for Best Ensemble Cast". IGN. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ "Nominations Announced for the 'People's Choice Awards 2012'". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
- ^ "Genie Awards 2012: the nominations". Genie Awards. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
- ^ "AACTA International Awards Results". AACTA. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
- ^ "Denver Film Critics Society 2012 Award Nominations". DenverFilmCritics.org. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
- ^ a b "Jane Eyre: Michael Fassbender Interview". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
- ^ "Allegiance". OnStageScotland.co.uk. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
External links
- Use dmy dates from May 2012
- 1977 births
- 20th-century actors
- 21st-century actors
- Alumni of the Drama Centre London
- Irish film actors
- Irish people of German descent
- Irish stage actors
- Irish television actors
- Living people
- Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Screen Actors Guild Award winners
- People from County Kerry
- Volpi Cup winners