James Mcavoy

Comment on this artist

James Mcavoy Biography

James McAvoy (born 21.4.1979)

James McAvoy is a Scottish actor, perhaps best known for his roles in The Last King of Scotland and Atonement.

James McAvoy: Childhood

James McAvoy was born to Elizabeth and James McAvoy in Lee-London. His mother was a psychiatric nurse and his father a builder. After his parents divorced when he was seven, James was sent to live with his grandparents in Drumchapel, Glasgow.

As a child, James McAvoy attended the Catholic St. Thomas Aquinas school in Glasgow and it has been reported that he briefly considered joining the priesthood. Whilst at school, James McAvoy was a member of the PACE Youth Theatre and then graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

James McAvoy: Acting Career

James McAvoy's first significant acting roles came in 1995, with a performance in David Hayman's The Near Room and another in Pat Barker's Regeneration two years later. However, it wasn't until 2001 that he had his big break, when he landed a role in the Steven Spielberg-directed TV series Band of Brothers. The series also starred Damian Lewis and Ron Livingstone.

In 2003, McAvoy starred in Children of the Dune, an adaptation of the Frank Herbert novel of the same name. He also appeared in the BBC sitcom Early Doors with Craig Cash. This was followed by a co-starring role in the thriller serial, State of Play, opposite David Morrissey, Kelly Macdonald and John Simm.

The following year, James McAvoy landed the role of Steve Abbott in the Channel 4 comedy series Shameless the series also starred David Threlfall and Gerard Kearns. He then starred in Wimbledon, a romantic comedy, in which he played Paul Bettany's character's brother. The film also starred Kirsten Dunst.

2005 saw James McAvoy return to the stage, in a production of Breathing Corpses at the Royal Court Theatre. He also featured in the BBC production of Macbeth for their ShakespeaRe-told series. He also played the role of the Faun in the 2005 production of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The film, an adaptation of a CS Lewis novel, also starred Tilda Swinton, Jim Broadbent and Dawn French.

2006 was a pivotal year for James McAvoy, as he starred in the film The Last King of Scotland, opposite Forest Whitaker. The film was a commercial and critical success and propelled James McAvoy to household name status.

James McAvoy also starred in Starter For 10 that year, winning the Mary Selway / Orange Rising Star Award for his performance opposite Alice Eve and Rebecca Hall.

2007 was another important year for James McAvoy, with the release of Atonement, starring McAvoy and Keira Knightley as well as Vanessa Redgrave and Saoirse Ronan. It was also the year that Becoming Jane was released, which starred James McAvoy and Anne Hathaway as well as Julie Walters and Maggie Smith.

Wanted, released in 2008, was a comic-book adaptation starring James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie, along with Morgan Freeman.

The Last Station premiered at the Telluride Film Festival. The film featured James McAvoy, Helen Mirren, Christopher Plummer, Paul Giamatti and James McAvoy's wife, Anne-Marie Duff.

James McAvoy: Personal Life

James McAvoy married the English actress Anne Marie Duff in October 2006 and they live in London together.

James McAvoy is a keen fan on Celtic Football Club.

Back to top

James Mcavoy Picture Gallery

the laurence olivier awards 2013 280413
the laurence olivier awards 2013 280413
the olivier awards - arrivals 280413
the laurence olivier awards 2013 280413
the laurence olivier awards 2013 280413

More James Mcavoy Pictures

Back to top

The Latest James Mcavoy News

Benedict Cumberbatch Won't Be Affected By Fame

8th May 2013

Benedict Cumberbatch believes he will be able to stay ''grounded'' as his fame increases.The 36-year-old actor has landed the biggest...

Michael Fassbender To Play Macbeth

29th April 2013

Michael Fassbender is set to star in a new adaptation of 'Macbeth'.The actor will play the famous Shakespearean character in...

Helen Mirren Wins First Olivier Award

29th April 2013

Dame Helen Mirren has won her first ever Olivier Award.The 67-year-old actress picked up the prestigious Best actress award for...

James Mcavoy Predicts Theatre Awards Loss

22nd April 2013

James Mcavoy is convinced he has no hope of winning a prize at Britain's upcoming Olivier Awards as fellow nominee...

Rosario Dawson: Danny Is A 'kindred Spirit'

22nd April 2013

Rosario Dawson calls Danny Boyle a ''kindred spirit''.Although the 33-year-old actress recently split from her 56-year-old 'Trance' director, they are...

More James Mcavoy News

Back to top

James Mcavoy Reviews

A Week In Movies:Carell, Buscemi And Carrey Get Magical, Danny Boyle Back With Ewan McGregor And A First Glimpse Of Bling Ring

16th March 2013

The big global release this week is the comedy pastiche The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, starring...

A Week In Movies featuring The Oscars Favourites, Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn Crashing Google and Danny Boyle's Gory Trailer For Trance

22nd February 2013

It's Oscar weekend, so the stars are converging on Los Angeles for the big night...

A Week in Movies Feat: The Hobbit, Helena Bonham Carter, Rise of the Guardians, Ray Liotta, Ian McKellen, Jack the Giant Slayer and More!

30th November 2012

A specially painted Air New Zealand plane jetted around the world this week, collecting cast...

More James Mcavoy Reviews

Back to top

James Mcavoy Footage Film / Movie Reviews

Welcome to the Punch 2013, Review by Rich Cline

After the tiny drama Shifty, British filmmaker Creevy turns to both Hong Kong and Hollywood...

Trance 2013, Review by Rich Cline

Danny Boyle is obviously having a ball with this thriller, deploying every cinematic trick he...

Gnomeo & Juliet 2011, Review by Rich Cline

With its Toy Story meets Shrek approach, this animated romp feels somewhat derivative. It's all...

X-men: First Class 2011, Review by Rich Cline

Matthew Vaughn kicks some life back into the X-men franchise with this superbly written, directed...

Arthur Christmas 2011, Review by Rich Cline

This lively holiday romp has a steady stream of sharp verbal and visual gags that...

More James Mcavoy Film / Movie Reviews

Back to top

James Mcavoy Interviews

James McAvoy - Interview

12th March 2013

After a couple of years off, James McAvoy has the leading role in three big...

Back to top

The Latest James Mcavoy Press Releases

Claire Foy Announced As Lady Macbeth Also Starring James Mcavoy

4th January 2013

Claire Foy (White Heat, Little Dorrit, The Promise) will play Lady Macbeth, alongside the...

James Mcavoy To Play Macbeth In London's West End Feb 2013

7th December 2012

BAFTA winning and Golden Globe nominated actor James McAvoy (The Last King of Scotland,...

More James Mcavoy Press Releases

Back to top

Newsletter

Subscribe to this news alert service to receive news and reviews on

Unsubscribe | Unsubscribe All

Comments