James Frain is one of the most versatile and respected actors in Hollywood. He has earned a reputation as a bold and convincing performer in a variety of film roles. His track record includes such famous movies as Where the Heart Is, Robinson Crusoe, The Count of Monte Cristo, the TV series Grey’s Anatomy and many more. Learn more at ileeds.
As Imdb.com notes, the actor talentedly performs historical and modern characters. Among his roles are Warwick the Kingmaker, Thomas Cromwell, prominent musician Daniel Barenboim and coach Jack Beresford. On sets, James cooperated with many film stars, such as Natalie Portman, Ben Affleck, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson and others.
James was born in Leeds, UK and spent his youth in Stansted Mountfitchet, near Bishop’s Stortford (Essex). He is an outstanding person who has made the city of Leeds famous in the UK and far beyond.
James Frain’s childhood and youth
James Frain was born in Leeds on March 14, 1968. His full name is James Dominic Frain. His family was quite large, as he had eight siblings, being the oldest one among them. Frain’s family is of Irish origin. The father and mother of the future star adhered to the principles of Catholicism. James’s mother was a teacher and his father was a stockbroker.
Frain attended Newport Free Grammar School and then studied Drama and Film at the University of East Anglia. James also studied acting at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. Frain’s debut on the screen took place in 1993, in the last year of drama school, when he appeared in the film Shadowlands. Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger starred in that film as well.
It happened thanks to the assistance of director Richard Attenborough. Soon, the actor received another offer, and in 1995, he appeared in the movie Nothing Personal playing a Northern Irish terrorist. The film was directed by Thaddeus O’Sullivan.
The actor did his best and demonstrated considerable charisma and talent, which couldn’t go unnoticed by the directors. Therefore, he began to receive interesting offers for various projects.
Actor’s career heights
James managed to make a successful career in cinema, but he is also very good at the theatre scene. The star performs as a part of the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Almeida Theatre and the Royal Court Theatre. Among his theatrical works are
- King Lear
- All for love
- The Homecoming
- Other people.
In 2000, James Frain received the first serious recognition of his talent. He was nominated for the Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actor at the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television’s 20th Genie Awards in Toronto. The actor got the nomination for the role of Gustave Sonnenschein in the film Sunshine directed by István Szabó.
In 2008, he received a Drama Desk Award. The achievement became possible thanks to his performance in Homecoming, which, in fact, became the best in the actor’s theatrical career.
James often participated in projects dedicated to the Tudor era. He played the role of Álvaro de la Quadra in the 1998 film Elizabeth and Thomas Cromwell in the The Tudors TV series. Later, he was cast as Warwick the Kingmaker in the BBC series The White Queen (telling about Elizabeth Woodville, who was the grandmother of King Henry VIII and great-grandmother of Queen Elizabeth I).
Interesting facts about James Frain
James Frain often performs roles of quiet, pragmatic and wealthy people who hide their own secrets. His main genres are drama, thriller and detective. His most successful film is considered to be 1999 Sunshine, for which the artist received the Genie Award as Best Supporting Actor.
It is interesting that in his free time, the man is engaged in fine arts as an amateur. He married director Martha Cunningham in 2004, with whom he has two children. The couple lives in Los Angeles. The actor is a supporter of naturalness, so he didn’t get tattoos or dye his hair, even for shootings. His height is 182 centimetres.
James’ favourite actor is his colleague Daniel Day-Lewis. James Frain’s older brother, Ben Frain, also connected his life with acting. He appeared in more than 75 films and TV series.
James Frain doesn’t stop and moves further in his career. Among his new works are the BBC TV series Showtrial. The actor has gained a reputation as a smart and courageous performer who can switch to various images easily and convincingly. He cooperated with the best actors and directors of our time, which had a positive effect on his career path in cinema.