Jonathan Rhys-Meyers mini-bio: Jonathan Rhys Meyers was born July 27, 1977, in Dublin, Ireland. A serious heart condition kept him confined to hospital for several months as an infant.
Jon & his three brothers were raised by their mother inthe County Cork where he still resides.
At the young age of 16, he left school with no real ambitions or prospect and began spending time
in a local pool hall where he was discovered by Hubbard Casting.
He made his acting debut in a soup commercial before landing a small role in the 1994 film
'A Man of No Importance"His first lead role was in the film
Disappearance of Finbar (1996). Jonathan has appeared in projects as diverse as the film
Michael Collins opposite Liam Neeson, and the 1996 tv movie
Samson and Delilah. Rhys Meyers has been working steadily since then, and he has received critical acclaim for several performances. His memorable portrayal of a 'Glam' rock star Brian Slade in
Velvet Goldmine (1998),Opposite Ewan McGregor and Christian Bale. In
Bend It Like Beckham (2002) He played sympathetic football (soccer) coach. He also went on to land starring roles in the BBC's epic prduction of '
Gormenghast' and the 2002 adaptation of
The Magnificent Ambersons' which he filmed the same year as as Bend it lIke Beckham which was a suprise box office hit earning Rhys-Meyers a legion of admirers world wide.
The CBS mini series
Elvis earned him a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy nomination for hius portrayal of the Legendary Rocker.
Match Point where he plays a tennis coach &
Mission Impossible 3 came next. He's now been starring in Teh showtime networks hit show 'The
Tudors' as King Henry the 8th, receiving 2 Golden Globe Nominations for the role. The show will start its fourth & final season in April 2010.
Currently jonathan is teamed up with John Travolta in the buddy-cop movie
'From Paris with Love'
Rhys Meyers is also a talented singer and musician, having performed his own vocals in "Velvet Goldmine" and appearing on the film's soundtrack.