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Fox Jackson-Keen

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Fox Jackson-Keen
Fox Jackson-Keen in March 2010
Born (1995-05-14) 14 May 1995 (age 29)
Hornsey, England
Occupation(s)Stage actor
television actor
singer
dancer
Years active2006–present

Fox Jackson-Keen (born 1995 in Hornsey, England) is an English stage and television actor, singer and dancer.[1] He is known for his shared performances in a two and a half-year run as the star role of 'Billy' in Billy Elliot the Musical at London's Victoria Palace Theatre.[2][3] He has appeared as Mobbsy in the 26 episode live action children's comedy series, My Phone Genie, on ITV and CITV.

Career

Jackson-Keen has appeared in a wide range of advertising campaigns and TV shows, and competed four times in the UK National Gymnastics finals. He received the first name of "Fox" because his father was a fan of the TV's The X Files. His father was a gymnast, and in initially followed in his father's footsteps, Fox entered and won several youth competitions before representing London in a national competition, where he came third.[2] At 9-years-old in 2006, he started break-dancing and hip-hop, and then studied ballet and tap.[3]

His broadcast career began in 2006 with a role in the UK television series The Bill, and in the award-winning film Terry Pratchett's Hogfather.[3]

From June 2008 to March 2010, Jackson-Keen played the role of Billy in Billy Elliot the Musical in London. When cast at 12½ years old, he became the 16th boy to play that role. His 23 June 2008 debut marked the first Londoner to play that role.[4] At 14½ years old, and after 205 performances, he retired from the role of Billy on 27 March 2010 as the oldest of the 'Billys'.[citation needed]

On 8 March 2010, Jackson-Keen and three other boys from the cast were invited to 10 Downing Street,[5] and met with Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Alistair Darling, Peter Mandelson and Minister for Culture and Tourism Margaret Hodge.[6]

In 2013, he appeared as Roger in the Teatro Kismet touring production of the Philip Pullman novel I Was a Rat! or The Scarlet Slippers, in the United Kingdom.[7]

Television

References

  1. ^ Shenton, Mark (23 June 2008). "London Boy Is One of the West End's New "Billy Elliots"". Playbill. Archived from the original on 17 October 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  2. ^ a b "Hornsey teenager lands lead role in Billy Elliott musical". Hampstead & Highgate Express. 20 July 2008. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  3. ^ a b c "Fox is first Londoner to take role of Billy Elliot". Evening Standard. 20 June 2008. Retrieved 16 August 2010.[dead link]
  4. ^ "London gets first home-grown Billy". London Theatre Guide. 23 June 2008. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  5. ^ "Meet the Billys – London: Billy Elliot the Musical". theSkyKid.com. 1 December 2009. Archived from the original on 12 September 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  6. ^ "Billys get down with Gordon Brown". London Theatre Guide. 10 March 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  7. ^ "Cast and tour announced for Philip Pullman's I Was A Rat!". Birmingham Repertory Company. 5 December 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2015.