Josh Hartnett

Josh Hartnett (born 21.7.1978)

Josh Hartnett is an American actor who initially rose to fame following his debut role in a major film production, Halloween H20: 20 Years Later.

Josh Hartnett: Childhood

Josh Hartnett was born and raised in Minnesota, where he lived mainly with his father, Daniel, who was a building manager. His stepmother Molly also lived with them, along with three younger half-sisters and half-brothers, Jack, Joe and Jessica.

Hartnett was raised as a Roman Catholic. He attended the Nativity of Our Lord Catholic school. In eighth grade, he appeared as 'Adam Apple' in a production of Krazy Kamp. When he graduated from that grade school, he attended Cretin-Derham Hall High school and then South High School (in Minneapolis). Josh was a keen footballer at school but was forced to quit when he broke his left knee.

After graduating from high school, Josh Hartnett attended the Conservatory of Theatre Arts and Film, at SUNY Purchase. Whilst studying there, Hartnett worked at a video store to pay his way through his studies.

At the age of 12, Josh Hartnett became a vegetarian. Although he had remained vegetarian since then, he began eating meat again whilst he was filming for The Black Dahlia.

Josh Hartnett: Acting Career

Josh Hartnett made his first screen appearance on the TV show Cracker in 1997. In his early career, he also made a number of stage appearances as well as getting work on national TV adverts.

Hartnett's debut film role was appearing as Jamie Lee Curtis' son in Halloween H20: 20 Years Later. The film was released in 1998 and soon became a box office hit.

Following this debut movie appearance, Josh Hartnett has maintained a steady stream of work. Amongst his most famous films are The Faculty, Black Hawk Down, Pearl Harbour (which also starred Ben Affleck and Jon Voight) and Lucky Number Slevin, which starred Brad Pitt. Hartnett stars alongside Scarlett Johansson in The Black Dahlia. In the film, he plays a detective investigating the murder of the actress Elizabeth Short. The Black Dahlia is based on a true story.

In 2007, Hartnett appeared opposite Samuel L. Jackson in Resurrecting the Champ. That same year, he also starred in the graphic novel-horror flick 30 Days of Night. In the film, he plays the sheriff of a small North American town, trying to defend itself against an unidentified intruder.

In 2008, Hartnett was selected to play Charlie Babbit in a stage adaptation of the Barry Morrow film Rain Man. The play was staged at the Apollo Theatre in London. Adam Godley also stars in the play.

In 1999, Josh Hartnett was named as on of Teen People magazine's '21 Hottest Stars Under 21'. People magazine also selected him in their '50 Most Beautiful People' list in 2002.

In 2008, Hartnett was the star of Emporio Armani's advertising campaign for their fragrance 'Diamonds for Men,' making him the first male to be the face of Giorgio Armani Beauty.