Jamie Bell is an English actor and performer who rose to prominence in the 2000 film Billy Elliot, for which he was nominated for a BAFTA for Best Actor in a Leading Role. In film circles, he is highly regarded for his outstanding portrayal of supporting characters. His roles in the films ‘King Kong’ (2005), ‘Jumper’ (2008), ‘Snowpiercer’ (2013), and ‘Fantastic Four’ (2015) were praised. In the 2011 film “The Adventures of Tintin,” he was selected to portray the lead role of Tintin. In the AMC-produced period drama ‘Turn: Washington’s Spies,’ Bell was praised for his portrayal of Abraham Woodhull. Jamie Bell developed a passion for dance while accompanying his older sister to her ballet recitals. Instead of acting, dance is Bell’s first passion.
Youth and Early Life
Jamie Bell was born in Billingham, England, on March 14, 1986, to Eileen Matfin and John Bell. His father was a craftsman. Before Jamie was conceived, his parents divorced, so he never had a relationship with his father. His older sister’s name is Kathryn Bell. Bell developed a passion for dancing while accompanying his sister to her ballet practices.
In 1999, Bell was chosen from over 2,000 boys to portray Billy Elliot in the film of the same name. Billy Elliot’s character is comparable to Jamie’s in that they both enjoy ballet. Alongside Robson Green, James Bolam, and Susan Jameson, he appeared in the ITV legal drama series Close and True in 2000.
Jamie Bell’s Career
Jamie Bell served as Honorary President of the Jury at the 2001 Giffoni Film Festival in Campania, Southern Italy.
In 2002, he portrayed the disabled attendant Smike in the film adaptation of ‘Nicholas Nickleby’. In the same year, he portrayed a teenage soldier in the film Deathwatch. In the 2004 film “Undertow,” he portrayed the role of a teenager on the run. In the same year, he also portrayed a pro-gun pacifist in ‘Dear Wendy’.
In the 2005 American-German comedy-drama ‘The Chumscrubber’, Bell portrayed a Southern California adolescent with severe mental issues. In the same year, he also portrayed juvenile Jimmy in the remake of ‘King Kong’ from 2005. In 2007, Jamie Bell starred in the ‘lonelygirl15’ spin-off titled ‘KateModern’ as himself.
He also co-starred alongside Hayden Christensen in the 2008 adaptation of the 1992 novel Jumper. In 2008, he also portrayed Asael Bielski, the final member of the partisan Bielski Brothers during World War II. More than 1200 lives were saved by the organization during the Holocaust.
He portrayed Esca in the 2011 film ‘The Eagle. In the same year, he portrayed St. John Rivers in ‘Jane Eyre’.
In 2013, he starred in two films: ‘Filth’ with James McAvoy as Ray Lennox, and ‘Snowpiercer’ as Edgar, a science fiction action film. In the AMC-produced period television drama ‘Turn: Washington’s Spies,’ he portrayed Abraham Woodhull from 2014 to 2017.
He portrayed ‘The Thing’ in the 2015 revival of the popular Marvel superhero film series Fantastic Four’.
He portrayed Rusty Firmin in the 2017 biographical action film ‘6 Days’. In the same year, he portrayed Peter Turner in ‘Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool,’ a biographical romantic drama film.
Jamie’s Major Opera
In 2007, he was nominated for ‘Best Actor’ at the British Independent Film Awards or BAFTAS for his performance as the title character in the film ‘Hallam Foe’. In 2009, Bell portrayed Tintin in the film ‘The Adventures of Tintin’ alongside well-known British comedians and actors Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. However, the film’s release was delayed and did not occur until 2011.
Personal History and Legacy
Jamie Bell began courting actress Evan Rachel Wood in 2005, after meeting her on the set of Green Day’s ‘Wake Me Up When September Ends’ music video. In 2011, after a temporary separation in 2006, the couple reconciled.
They tied the knot on 30 October 2012 and welcomed a son in July 2013.
Bell and Wood declared their separation on May 28, 2014. In late 2015, Bell began dating co-star Kate Mara from the ‘Fantastic Four’ franchise. The couple became engaged in January 2017 and ultimately wed on July 17, 2017.
Estimated Net Worth
The English actor Jamie Bell has a net worth of $11 million. Jamie Bell rose to prominence in 2000 as the teen protagonist of “Billy Elliot,” for which he was awarded the BAFTA Award for Best Actor.
Trivia
Jamie Bell is descended from a line of performers. His grandmother, mother, aunt, and sibling on his mother’s side are all dancers. His preferred dance style is tap dancing. Bell has participated in and received a number of accolades for his dancing abilities. Bell was rated number 19 on Entertainment Weekly’s ’30 Under 30′ list of actors in 2008.