Jason Isaacs

British actor Jason Isaacs is best known for his nefarious role of Lucius Malfoy, but he actually has a diverse base of roles in television, film, and stage.

Jason Isaacs was born June 6, 1963 in Liverpool, Merseyside, England. Isaacs was raised in Liverpool with his three brothers and subsequently moved to London when he was eleven. Although he is an established and respected actor now, performing was not always his ambition. In fact, he intended to follow in his pragmatically minded brother’s footsteps who were a doctor, lawyer, and accountant. Isaacs also desired to study law, which he pursued in 1982 at Bristol University.

It was here that he accidentally stumbled into an audition when he was intoxicated. Calling for his particular Northern accent, Isaacs nailed the audition even in his inebriated state. Acting offered Isaacs a great way to meet women. But it was more than the dating opportunities that kept him coming back to the stage. Acting or directing over thirty plays at his time in Bristol, Isaacs had found his calling.

In 1985 he pursued another three years of training at Central School of Speech and Drama. By his graduation, he had acquired not only an agent but a girlfriend and creative partner, Emma Hewitt. Although it is unclear to the public whether the two ever actually married, one thing is certain. They have been in a committed relationship ship 1988, and they have two daughters together, Lily and Ruby. The family resides in London, where Isaacs is an avid supporter of Liverpool Football Club.

On the professional front, Isaacs began working in British television immediately. He is most known during this period for Capital City and Civvies. His first feature film came in 1989 with The Tall Guy, directed by Mel Smith. It starred Jeff Goldblum, Rowan Atkinson, and Emma Thompson.

With his movie star good looks, Isaacs began earning higher profile roles, although they were not always critically acclaimed. This was best exemplified with the 1996 fantasy film Dragonheart with stars Dennis Quaid, David Thewlis, Pete Postlethwaite, Dina Meyer, and Brian Thompson.

More successful turns included the Michael Bay directed Armageddon with all-star cast Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton, Liv Tyler, Ben Affleck, Steve Buscemi, Owen Wilson, Michael Clarke Duncan, Keith David, and others. He also earned recognition for his supporting role opposite Julianne Moore and Ralph Fiennes in The End of the Affair.

It was his next role, however, that truly put him in the limelight. Taking on the bad guy persona, he was masterfully evil in The Patriot with Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, Chris Cooper, and Joely Richardson. Although it never came to anything, his well-received portrayal generated considerable Oscar buzz.

Although he has had numerous, albeit memorable, bit parts in films, it is his depiction of Lucius Malfoy in J K Rowling’s Harry Potter series that has gained him the most attention opposite cast regulars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson. With a highly acclaimed supporting cast which includes David Tennant, Imelda Staunton, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Brendan Gleeson, Miranda Richardson, Gary Oldman, and others, it’s no small compliment to say Isaacs is a standout.

He currently stars in the television series Brotherhood with Karl Bury, Annabeth Gish, and Frank Ridley.

He also has a varied and successful theater career, which he is currently pursuing.