James McAvoy Biography

Scottish actor James McAvoy has been appearing in film and television since 1995, but his popularity truly exploded in 2005 with The Chronicles of Narnia. Since, he has established his name with films such as The Last King of Scotland, Atonement, and Wanted.

James Andrew McAvoy was born April 21, 1979 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Some sources, however, place his date of birth as January 1, 1979.) McAvoy’s parents are Elizabeth Johnstone and James McAvoy, a psychiatrist and builder respectively. Divorcing when McAvoy was only seven years old, he ultimately lived with his grandparents in Drumchapel.

McAvoy obtained his initial education from St Thomas Aquinas Secondary. Raised in a traditional Catholic household, McAvoy briefly considered joining the priesthood. Deciding to pursue his passion for acting instead, he attended the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

Entering the world of entertainment, McAvoy made his onscreen debut in 1995 with The Near Room. Taking a small role, the film also featured Lord of the Rings scene-stealer Andy Serkis.

Finding jobs slowly, McAvoy’s next appearance would not come until 1997 when he appeared in An Angel Passes By.

The same year brought a role opposite Jonathan Pryce, Jonny Lee Miller, Tanya Allen, and others in the drama Regeneration.

After yet another stint of little to no work, McAvoy received the break he needed in 2001. Auditioning for and landing a role in the popular miniseries Band of Brothers, McAvoy was able to share the screen with actors such as Damian Lewis, Ron Livingston, Neal McDonough, and many others.

With his increased visibility, McAvoy won high profile roles in both film and television. To that end, he appeared in the horror/thriller Swimming Pool (2001). Playing Mike, he costarred with Isla Fisher, Kristen Miller, and Cordelia Bugeja.

Returning to the small screen, McAvoy found steady work on series such as Children of Dune, Early Doors, and State of Play with Bill Nighy and Kelly Macdonald.

Winning roles in critically acclaimed productions as well, McAvoy was cast in the Stephen Fry film Bright Young Things. Playing Simon Balcairn, the film also attracted stars Emily Mortimer, Stockard Channing, Dan Aykroyd, and Michael Sheen.

Enjoying work in commercial projects, McAvoy took a supporting role in the 2004 romantic comedy Wimbledon. He appeared with Paul Bettany and Kirsten Dunst.

2004 proved a good year for McAvoy as he also landed a recurring role on the television series Shameless. He was with the program until 2005. And he rounded out the year with a sizable role in the highly acclaimed Inside I’m Dancing from director Damien ODonnell.

But McAvoy was really introduced to movie-going audiences in 2005 when he landed the role of Mr. Tumnus, the Faun in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. Based on the CS Lewis novel, McAvoy appeared with Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley, and Anna Popplewell. Supporting roles were handled by Tilda Swinton and Jim Broadbent.

He switched gears dramatically the following year for the heavy historical drama The Last King of Scotland with Forest Whitaker, Kerry Washington, and Gillian Anderson.

Quickly becoming one of the most in-demand actors around Hollywood, McAvoy then took roles in Becoming Jane (with Anne Hathaway, Julie Walters, and James Cromwell), Atonement (with Keira Knightley, Brenda Blethyn, and Saoirse Ronan), and Wanted (opposite Angelina Jolie, Common, and Morgan Freeman.)

In his personal life, McAvoy has been romantically linked to Emma Neilson. They were together nearly eight years.

Subsequently linked to Anne Marie Duff, the two were married on October 18, 2006. They are currently still together.