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Taron Egerton

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Taron Egerton
Egerton in 2019
Born (1989-11-10) 10 November 1989 (age 34)
Birkenhead, Cheshire, England
EducationRoyal Academy of Dramatic Art (BA)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • singer
Years active2011–present
AwardsFull list

Taron Egerton (/ˈɛdʒərtən/; born 10 November 1989) is a Welsh[1] actor and singer. He is the recipient of a Golden Globe Award and has been nominated for two British Academy Film Awards, a Grammy Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Born in Birkenhead, England, Egerton began acting at age 15 and graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 2012. He gained recognition for starring as Gary "Eggsy" Unwin in the action comedy film Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014) and its sequel Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017). He has also starred in several biographical films, portraying military officer Edward Brittain in the drama Testament of Youth (2014), a psychopath in the crime thriller Legend (2015), the titular ski-jumper in the sports film Eddie the Eagle (2016), and singer Elton John in the musical Rocketman (2019), the latter of which earned him the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.

Early life

Egerton was born on 10 November 1989, in Birkenhead, Cheshire.[2][3] His mother is half English and half Welsh, while his father is English, and hails from nearby Liverpool;[4][5] she worked in social services, while he used to run a bed-and-breakfast.[6] Although born in England, Egerton grew up in Wales and he considers himself to be Welsh "through and through". Also, he is fluent in both Welsh and English.[7][8] His first name is a variation of taran, which means "thunder" in Welsh.[6] Egerton has two younger sisters named Mari and Rosie.[9]

Egerton's parents divorced when he was two, and he subsequently moved with his mother to the Welsh island of Anglesey, where he went to primary school.[3][10] The family moved to Aberystwyth when he was 12 years old.[3] He began acting at age 15.[11] He attended Ysgol Penglais School before he went on to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where he graduated with a BA (Hons) in acting in 2012.[12]

Career

2011–2018: Debut and Kingsman

Egerton made his acting debut in 2013 with a small role in two episodes of the ITV series Lewis as Liam Jay.[13] Later, he was added to the main cast of the Sky1 series The Smoke.[14] Egerton played Gary "Eggsy" Unwin, the young protégé of Harry Hart (Colin Firth), in Matthew Vaughn's film Kingsman: The Secret Service and its sequel, Kingsman: The Golden Circle.[13] The first movie's success launched Egerton into fame and resulted in him signing a three-movie contract with 20th Century Fox.[15]

Egerton co-starred in Testament of Youth, based on the life of Vera Brittain,[16] and appeared in the two-part episode "The Ramblin' Boy" in the seventh series of Lewis as Liam Jay. He voiced Johnny the gorilla in the animation film Sing in 2016. In 2018, Egerton played the title character in the action-adventure film Robin Hood and starred in the crime drama film Billionaire Boys Club.[17][18]

2019–present: Rocketman and acclaim

In 2019, Egerton starred as singer Elton John in the biopic Rocketman.[19] The Washington Post's Ann Hornaday opined that Egerton "exerts a steadying, singularly charismatic force" in the role, while Richard Lawson of Vanity Fair described his performance as "nuanced and emotionally intelligent while still loose, carried with verve and agility".[20][21] He earned the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy and a nomination for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role.[22][23] In June 2019, Egerton performed a live duet of "Your Song" with Elton John at the opening night of the U.K. leg of John's farewell world tour Farewell Yellow Brick Road in Brighton & Hove.[24] He voiced Moomintroll in the animated series Moominvalley.[25]

Egerton will next portray entrepreneur Henk Rogers in the biographical film Tetris.[26]

Public image

Egerton was named one of British GQ's 50 best-dressed British men in 2015[27] and 2016.[28]

Personal life

Egerton at the 2018 Global Education and Skills Forum

Egerton lives in West London.[6] He has stated that he finds an "umbrella in the rain" type of romance better than the dating app experience common to his generation, about which he said, "I have asked a girl out Kamikaze-style. I stopped her on the Tube and said, 'I think you're gorgeous, I think we should go for a drink some time.' It's terrifying, but ultimately so much more rewarding." He later took half a day off from drama school to go on a date with her.[29]

Egerton describes himself as having come from a working-class background.[30] In 2015, he responded to a question for his female Kingsman co-star Sophie Cookson about challenging the gender bias: "I don't think things are changing fast enough—but you didn't seem to want to ask me that. It's not just a question for the women."[31] Referencing scenes from Aziz Ansari's comedy-drama series Master of None, he also addressed his privilege as a white actor in 2017: "I'm the epitome of an actor who walks into a room and has the upper hand just because I'm a mid-twenties Caucasian male. How frustrating must the industry be for a person of colour?"[32] Egerton has shown support for the LGBT community as well, stating in an interview about his performance in Rocketman, "Elton John's a gay icon. And who are we, as frankly heterosexual filmmakers, to not put that element of his story? How dare we. And that's not what we did."[33] Having lost a grandmother to motor neurone disease, he is an ambassador for the MND Association.[8][34]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Director Notes
2012 Pop Andy Edward Hicks Short film
2013 Hereafter Tamburlaine Johnny Kenton Short film
2014 Testament of Youth Edward Brittain James Kent
2015 Kingsman: The Secret Service Gary "Eggsy" Unwin Matthew Vaughn
Legend Edward "Mad Teddy" Smith Brian Helgeland
2016 Eddie the Eagle Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards Dexter Fletcher
Sing Johnny (voice) Garth Jennings
2017 Love at First Sight Matthew Nealon Sing short film
Kingsman: The Golden Circle Gary "Eggsy" Unwin / Galahad Matthew Vaughn
2018 Billionaire Boys Club Dean Karny James Cox
Robin Hood Robin Hood Otto Bathurst
2019 Rocketman Elton John Dexter Fletcher
2021 Sing 2 Johnny (voice) Garth Jennings In production
TBA Tetris Henk Rogers Jon S. Baird Filming

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2013 Lewis Liam Jay 2 episodes
2014 The Smoke Dennis "Asbo" Severs Main role
2018 Watership Down El-Ahrairah (voice) Miniseries
2019–2020 Moominvalley Moomintroll (voice) Main role
2019 The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Rian (voice) Main role

Theatre

Year Title Role Theatre
2005 Oliver! Artful Dodger Aberystwyth Arts Centre
2006 Beauty and the Beast Le Fou Aberystwyth Arts Centre
2011 The House of Special Purpose Yakunin
2012 The Last of the Hausmanns Danny Royal National Theatre
Saturday Night Gene Gorman
Divine Words Laureano
2013 No Quarter Tommy Royal Court Theatre

Music videos

Year Song Artist Album
2015 "The Breach" Lazy Habits The Atrocity Exhibition
2019 "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" Elton John, Taron Egerton Rocketman: Music from the Motion Picture

Audio books

Year Title Role Production company
2018 Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds: The Musical Drama The Artilleryman Audible
2019 Me Reader Audible
2020 The Sandman John Constantine Audible

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Taron Egerton

References

  1. ^ Reliable sources that describe Egerton as Welsh include:
    • Tsang, Jacqueline (19 October 2020). "Rocketman Taron Egerton's lockdown survival routine: cutting out booze, binge-watching The Sopranos, cooking Indian food – and learning to iron his own clothes". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2021. The Welsh actor and singer is undeniably talented, having won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Elton John in the musical film Rocketman, but he still struggles with certain day-to-day tasks.
    • "The Young Han Solo shortlist shrinks: Taron Egerton, Alden Ehrenreich, Jack Reynor and Emory Cohen". The Daily Telegraph. 16 March 2016. Archived from the original on 20 November 2018. Retrieved 20 January 2021. However, US actor Ehrenreich, Irishman Reynor and Welsh actor Egerton aren't just the beginning of a bad joke, but seemingly the favourites with fans, too. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 8 November 2020 suggested (help)
    • Krochmal, Shana Naomi (3 November 2019). "Taron Egerton reveals drag name Elton John gave him". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 23 November 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2011. And somewhere in the three-plus years that Egerton and John have been collaborating, the Welsh actor was also bestowed by John his own honorific drag name.
    • Barnes, Henry (31 March 2016). "Taron Egerton: 'A part of everyone wants to be Leonardo DiCaprio'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2021. The Welsh actor leapt to fame in Kingsman: The Secret Service.
    • Nelson, Jeff (20 February 2015). "Taron Egerton: 5 Things You Didn't Know About the Kingsman Star". People. Archived from the original on 26 July 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2021. PEOPLE chatted with the breakout Welsh actor about his rise to fame – and what's next for him.
    • Feldman, Kate (13 January 2020). "Awkwafina, Taron Egerton snubbed for Oscar nods despite Golden Globes wins". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2021. Awkwafina [...] became the first woman of Asian descent to win for lead actress in a movie comedy or musical at the Globes, [...] while Welsh actor Egerton won for lead actor in a movie comedy or musical for his portrayal of Elton John in "Rocketman."
    • Wong, Curtis M. (26 April 2019). "Taron Egerton Says Being Cast As Elton John Is 'Inclusive And Progressive'". HuffPost. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2021. The Welsh actor says he's "proud and privileged" to be playing the icon in the musical biopic "Rocketman," even though he doesn't identify as gay.
    • McClintock, Pamela (25 January 2016). "Sundance: Hugh Jackman, Taron Egerton to Attend Secret 'Eddie the Eagle' Screening". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 18 May 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2021. Hugh Jackman and up-and-coming Welsh actor Taron Egerton will attend Tuesday's "secret" screening of their film Eddie the Eagle at the Sundance Film Festival.
    • Alexander, Bryan (18 October 2019). "Elton John, Taron Egerton rock 'Rocketman' revival with 'Don't Let the Sun Go Down' duet". USA Today. Archived from the original on 18 February 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2021. The Welsh actor did not give a speech.
    • "Eddie Edwards movie 'is only 10 percent accurate'". The Washington Post. 8 June 2015. Archived from the original on 3 August 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2021. The 51-year-old retired athlete [...] is the subject of a new movie starring Welsh actor Taron Egerton, but has revealed the film is largely made up.
  2. ^ Fearon, Faye (10 November 2019). "Taron Egerton's seven greatest suit moments we'll be copying this season". British GQ. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Thomas, Huw (4 December 2019). "Rocketman star Taron Egerton credits Wales with love of singing". BBC News. Archived from the original on 5 December 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  4. ^ "Taron Egerton on The Jonathan Ross Show, said starting at 0:52". 25 January 2015 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ "An Audience with Taron Egerton | BAFTA Cymru". BAFTA Cymru. 19 December 2019 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ a b c Siegel, Tatiana (6 May 2019). "'Rocketman' Takes Flight: Inside Taron Egerton's Transformation Into Elton John (and, He Hopes, a Major Star)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  7. ^ Elvidge, Chris (13 January 2015). "Mr Taron Egerton". MR PORTER. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  8. ^ a b "10 Things You Never Knew About Taron Egerton". BBC America. 8 January 2020. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  9. ^ "Kids try to pronounce Taron Egerton's name!". Magic Weekend Breakfast. 24 November 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2019 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ Barnes, Henry (31 March 2016). "Taron Egerton: 'A part of everyone wants to be Leonardo DiCaprio'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  11. ^ Krochmal, Shana Naomi (5 November 2019). "How Taron Egerton's Rocketman role became a lifelong gig". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 4 January 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  12. ^ Halligan, Fionnuala (5 June 2014). "Taron Egerton, UK Stars of Tomorrow 2014". Screen International. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  13. ^ a b Kroll, Justin (25 July 2013). "Matthew Vaughn Eyes Newcomer Taron Egerton for 'Secret Service'". Variety. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  14. ^ Howell, Jordan (12 April 2013). "Jamie Bamber, Jodie Whittaker for Sky1 drama 'The Smoke'". imediamonkey.com. Archived from the original on 21 May 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  15. ^ "Taron Egerton idolises Colin Firth". bangshowbiz. 16 September 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2019 – via pressfrom.info.
  16. ^ Ge, Linda (13 February 2014). "Taron Egerton, Colin Morgan and Alexandra Roach Join Alicia Vikander in 'Testament of Youth'". upandcomers.net. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  17. ^ Rankin, Seija (20 November 2018). "Taron Egerton on Robin Hood movie, why he's an unlikely action hero". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 2 September 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  18. ^ Sandwell, Ian (20 November 2018). "Kingsman star Taron Egerton reflects on Kevin Spacey allegations". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 19 July 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  19. ^ McClintock, Pamela (23 August 2018). "Elton John Biopic 'Rocketman' Shifts Summer 2019 Release Date". Billboard. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  20. ^ Hornaday, Ann (30 May 2019). "'Rocketman' review': Taron Egerton's strong central performance lift's this uneven Elton John biopic". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 14 June 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  21. ^ Lawson, Richard (17 May 2019). "Rocketman Review: Taron Egerton Dazzles as Elton John in a Mostly Conventional Biopic". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  22. ^ "Rocketman Taron Egerton triumphs at Golden Globes". BBC News. 6 January 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  23. ^ "Golden Globes 2020: The Complete Nominations List". Variety. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  24. ^ Arron Hendy. "Stars come out for Elton John in Hove". The Argus. Newsquest Media Group Ltd. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  25. ^ White, Peter (28 January 2019). "Rosamund Pike, Kate Winslet and Taron Egerton Head To 'Moominvalley' In Sky Kids Series – Trailer". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 9 January 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  26. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (29 September 2020). "Matthew Vaughn's MARV Sets Former Lionsgate Europe Head Zygi Kamasa As Group CEO; Duo Talk Company Strategy, Taron Egerton Pic 'Tetris' & 'Kingsman' TV Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  27. ^ "GQ Best Dressed Men 2015". British GQ. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  28. ^ "50 Best-Dressed Men in Britain 2016". British GQ. 4 January 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  29. ^ "Colin Firth And Taron Egerton On Tinder, Style & The State Of British Men", Shortlist magazine, 22 January 2015
  30. ^ Pryor, John-Paul (3 May 2019). "Taron Egerton – Must Be The Clouds in His Eyes". Flaunt. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  31. ^ Vicky Roach, "Kingsman: The Secret Service stars Taron Egerton and Sophie Cookson reveal ‘before and after secrets’", News Australia, 4 February 2015
  32. ^ Chris Mandle, "We hung out with Taron Egerton and 5 pedigree dogs" Shortlist magazine, 13 September 2017
  33. ^ Reilly, Nick (23 May 2019). "Taron Egerton addresses fears that 'Rocketman' would straight-wash Elton John's life". NME. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  34. ^ "Cumberbatch, Redmayne & Egerton support MND Association". Able Magazine. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
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