Jeremy Philip Northam (born December 1, 1961) is an English actor.
Northam was born in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, the son of Rachel, a potter and professor of economics, and John Northam, a professor of literature and theatre, as well as Ibsen specialist and teacher first at Clare College, Cambridge and later at Bristol. Northam was educated at Bristol Grammar School and trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Northam performed at the Royal National Theatre, where he replaced Daniel Day Lewis in the role of Hamlet (1988). He received an Olivier Award in 1990 as "most promising newcomer". He made his American film debut in The Net (1995), but has appeared more frequently in British films such as Carrington (1995), Emma (1996), The Winslow Boy (1999), An Ideal Husband (1999), Enigma (2001) and as Welsh actor and singer Ivor Novello in Gosford Park (2001). In 2002 he starred in the film Cypher alongside Lucy Liu. Presently, he can be seen portraying St. Thomas More on the Showtime series, The Tudors.
His audiobook work includes The Silver Chair by C. S. Lewis for Harper Audio and A Death Divided by Clare Francis for Macmillan.
Jeremy Philip Northam was born in Cambridge, England to parents John and Rachel, both university professors. John Northam is best known for his translations of Ibsen. The family moved to Bristol in 1972 where Jeremy attended Bristol Grammar School. Jeremy graduated from Bedford College, University of London, in 1984 with a bachelor of arts degree in English Literature. After graduation, he attended the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and worked his way through regional theater to the London stage. Northam was the recipient of the prestigious Olivier Award - the British equivalent of the Tony - for outstanding newcomer, for his 1990 performance as Edward Voysey, the moral pivot of the Royal National Theatre revival of the 1905 play "The Voysey Inheritance." In 1994 he made his American film debut in the thriller, The Net (1995), with Sandra Bullock followed by his beloved portrayal of Mr. Knightley in Miramax's "Emma" (1995) starring opposite Gwyneth Paltrow. Northam has continued to thrill his audiences with his many acclaimed performances which include big budget productions, smart, independent projects and even television and audio books. Presently, Jeremy can be seen portraying Sir Thomas More in the Showtime series, The Tudors.
