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Aaron Taylor-Johnson

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Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Taylor-Johnson in 2014
Born
Aaron Perry Johnson

(1990-06-13) 13 June 1990 (age 34)
High Wycombe, England
OccupationActor
Years active1996–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2012)​
Children2

Aaron Perry Taylor-Johnson (né Johnson; born 13 June 1990) is an English actor.[1] He is known for his portrayal of the title character in Kick-Ass (2010) and its 2013 sequel, as well as the Marvel Cinematic Universe character Pietro Maximoff in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015).

As a child actor, he performed in films including Shanghai Knights (2003), The Illusionist (2006), and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (2008). He had his breakthrough performance as John Lennon in the biopic Nowhere Boy (2009), directed by Sam Taylor-Wood, whom he married in 2012 and adopted the same surname (Taylor-Johnson) with. He followed this with roles in the crime thriller Savages (2012), period drama Anna Karenina (2012), and monster film Godzilla (2014).

For his performance as a psychopathic drifter in the thriller film Nocturnal Animals (2016), Taylor-Johnson won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture and earned a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. He has since appeared in the action films Tenet (2020), Bullet Train (2022) and The Fall Guy (2024).

Early life

Aaron Perry Johnson was born in High Wycombe on 13 June 1990.[2][3][4] His father, Robert, was a civil engineer and his mother, Sarah, "stayed at home [and] worked odd jobs here and there so [they] could get by."[4][5][6] He has a sister named Gemma, who later had a small role in his film Tom & Thomas (2002).[7] Johnson is Jewish.[8]

He went to Holmer Green Senior School and attended the Jackie Palmer Stage School in High Wycombe, studying drama, tap, jazz, acrobatics, and singing.[9][10] He left school at 15.[11][12]

Career

Beginnings and rise to fame (1999–2015)

Taylor-Johnson with future wife Sam Taylor-Johnson in September 2010

Johnson began acting at the age of six. On stage, he appeared in a London production of William Shakespeare's Macbeth, playing the son of Macduff alongside Rufus Sewell, who played Macbeth, in 1999.[13] He appeared in Arthur Miller's All My Sons in 2000. His television roles have included Niker in the 2004 BBC adaptation of the novel Feather Boy, Aaron in Danny Brocklehurst's ITV1 serial Talk to Me, and Owen Stephens in Nearly Famous.[3] In 2003, Johnson appeared as a young Charlie Chaplin in Shanghai Knights alongside Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson, with Chaplin depicted as a member of a London gang of street hooligans. That year, he also guest starred in a special live episode of ITV drama The Bill. In 2006, he appeared in The Illusionist, appearing in the early flashback scenes as Edward Norton's character, Eduard Abramovicz, as a teenager. The scenes show the young Eduard as he first learns magic. To do this, Johnson had to learn how to perform the ball trick that his character performs. He learned how to balance the egg on the stick, although that was mechanically effected.[14] Also in 2006, he starred in the film The Thief Lord as Prosper.

Johnson appeared as John Lennon in the 2009 biographical film Nowhere Boy, directed by Sam Taylor-Wood, whom he later married. His performance won him the Empire Award for Best Newcomer, and he was also nominated for Young British Performer of the Year by the London Film Critics' Circle. In 2010, Johnson appeared as David "Dave" Lizewski/Kick-Ass, the lead character in Kick-Ass, based on the superhero comic book of the same name by Scottish writer Mark Millar.[15][16] His performance in Kick-Ass saw him nominated for the BAFTA Rising Star Award. He has also appeared as the central character, William, in Hideo Nakata's Chatroom.[3] In December 2010, Johnson joined the cast of Albert Nobbs as a replacement for Orlando Bloom.[17] Johnson starred in R.E.M.'s 2011 music video "Überlin", which was also directed by his then-fiancée.[18]

Taylor-Johnson at the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con

In 2012, Taylor-Johnson played Count Vronsky in Anna Karenina. Later that year, he starred as Ben in Oliver Stone's Savages. HitFix film critic Drew McWeeny was positive of the bond between Johnson and co-star Taylor Kitsch, which "seems not only credible but lived in and authentic throughout the film," and noted the evolution in maturity of Johnson since Kick-Ass.[19] Taylor-Johnson starred in the Godzilla reboot, released in May 2014.[20][21] Taylor-Johnson played Quicksilver in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), the sequel to 2012's The Avengers, as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.[22] Taylor-Johnson first appeared as the character in a post-credits scene of the film Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014).[23] The role reunited him with Elizabeth Olsen, who played his wife in Godzilla.[21][22]

Career progression (2016–present)

In 2016, he played Ray, a menacing Texan, in Tom Ford's thriller Nocturnal Animals. For the role, he won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture. Taylor-Johnson also became first Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor winner since Richard Benjamin who did not receive an Academy Award nomination. For the role, he also received a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. In 2017, he played an American soldier (alongside John Cena) in Doug Liman's thriller The Wall,[24] and in 2018, he appeared in Outlaw King, a British-American historical action drama about Robert the Bruce and the Wars of Scottish Independence.

In 2020, Taylor-Johnson had a supporting role in Christopher Nolan's film Tenet.[25] In 2022, he appeared in David Leitch's Bullet Train, an action-thriller film based on the novel Mariabītoru by Kōtarō Isaka.[26] He reunited with Leitch in the 2024 action film The Fall Guy.[27] Also in 2024, Taylor-Johnson played another Marvel character in Kraven the Hunter, as part of Sony's Spider-Man Universe.[28] He also featured in Robert Eggers' horror film Nosferatu.[29]

He will next star in 28 Years Later, a sequel to the 2002 film 28 Days Later, which will be directed by Danny Boyle.[30]

Personal life

After Johnson met filmmaker Sam Taylor-Wood in 2009 on the set of their film Nowhere Boy, when he was 18 and she was 42.[31][32][33] The two began dating and were married in the chapel at Babington House on 21 June 2012.[34] They subsequently changed both their surnames to Taylor-Johnson.[35] They have two daughters, and he is a stepfather to Sam’s two daughters from her previous marriage.[36] Their relationship has been the subject of widespread media discourse regarding alleged grooming, the double standards of gender surrounding sexual abuse, fraternization, and pedophilia.[37][38][39][40]

Taylor-Johnson was named one of GQ's 50 best dressed British men in 2015.[41] In a 2019 interview with GQ Australia, he defined his style as elegant and "timeless."[42] Taylor-Johnson lives with his wife and their four daughters on a farm near Bruton, Somerset, and he is an avid vegetable farmer.[43]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2000 The Apocalypse Johanan
2002 Tom & Thomas Tom Sheppard / Thomas
2003 Behind Closed Doors Sam Goodwin
Shanghai Knights Charlie Chaplin
2004 Dead Cool George
2006 The Thief Lord Prosper
The Illusionist Young Eisenheim
Fast Learners Neil Short film
The Best Man Michael (Aged 15)
2007 The Magic Door "Flip"
2008 Dummy Danny
Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging Robbie Jennings
2009 The Greatest Bennett Brewer
Nowhere Boy John Lennon
2010 Kick-Ass Dave Lizewski / Kick-Ass
Chatroom William Collins
2011 Albert Nobbs Joe Mackins
2012 Savages Ben Leonard
Anna Karenina Count Alexei Kirillovich Vronsky Final credit as Aaron Johnson
2013 Kick-Ass 2 Dave Lizewski / Kick-Ass First credit as Aaron Taylor-Johnson
2014 Captain America: The Winter Soldier Pietro Maximoff Uncredited cameo; mid-credits scene
Godzilla Lieutenant Ford Brody
2015 Avengers: Age of Ultron Pietro Maximoff
2016 Nocturnal Animals Ray Marcus
2017 The Wall Sergeant Allen "Ize" Isaac
2018 Outlaw King James Douglas, Lord of Douglas
A Million Little Pieces James Frey Also writer and producer
2020 Tenet Ives
2021 The King's Man Archie Reid
2022 Bullet Train Tangerine
2024 The Fall Guy Tom Ryder
Nosferatu Friedrich Harding
Kraven the Hunter Sergei Kravinoff / Kraven the Hunter
2025 28 Years Later † Jamie Post-production
TBA Fuze † TBA Post-production
28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple † Jamie Filming
Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2001 Armadillo Young Lorimer Black
2003 The Bill Zac Clough Episode: "162"
2004 Family Business Paul Sullivan 1 episode
Feather Boy Niker 3 episodes
2006 I Shouldn't Be Alive Mark 4 episodes
Casualty Joey Byrne Episode: "Silent Ties"
2007 Talk to Me Aaron 4 episodes
Coming Up Eoin Episode: "99,100"
Nearly Famous Owen Stephens 6 episodes
Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars Finch Television film
2021 Calls Mark (voice) Episode: "The Beginning"

Video games

Year Title Voice role
2010 Kick-Ass: The Game Kick-Ass

Awards and nominations

Year Association Work Category Result
2009 London Film Critics Circle Awards Nowhere Boy and Dummy Young British Performer of the Year Nominated
British Independent Film Awards Nowhere Boy Best Actor Nominated
2010 Empire Awards Best Newcomer Won
Scream Awards Kick-Ass Best Breakout Performance - Male Nominated
Best Fantasy Actor Nominated
Best Superhero Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie: Male Breakout Star Nominated
2011 Empire Awards Best Actor Nominated
British Academy Film Awards Rising Star Award Nominated
2012 EDA Awards Anna Karenina Best Depiction of Nudity, Sexuality, or Seduction (shared with Keira Knightley) Nominated
2016 San Diego Film Critics Society Awards Nocturnal Animals Best Supporting Actor Nominated
2017 Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Won
Santa Barbara International Film Festival Virtuoso Award Won
British Academy Film Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role Nominated
2022 Locarno Film Festival Himself Excellence Award Davide Campari Won[44]

References

  1. ^ Rafanelli, Stephanie (8 May 2014). "Aaron Taylor-Johnson: 'I was raised by women. Now I'm raising women. And Sam's the best woman I know'". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 1 September 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2020. 'I went into the audition looking like a nerd. My hair was really crazy, curly and wacky. Then they got me to meet Matthew. At the end, when I finally admitted I was English, he said. "Nah, your accent's not that good." I was like, "Dude. I'm from High Wycombe."'
  2. ^ "Aaron Johnson biography". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 8 December 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2011.
  3. ^ a b c Gray, Sadie. "The Times: Entertainment". The Times. Archived from the original on 15 June 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
  4. ^ a b "Aaron Johnson profile". Uk-tv-guide.com. Archived from the original on 13 September 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
  5. ^ Maher, Kevin (3 October 2009). "Aaron Johnson: Beatle mania". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 15 June 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
  6. ^ "Aaron Johnson". At Large Magazine. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  7. ^ Coe, Kairi (2011). "10 Things to Know About Aaron Johnson". MyEveryzine. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012.
  8. ^ Shoard, Catherine (25 March 2024). "George Lazenby backs Aaron Taylor-Johnson for Bond". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 25 March 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  9. ^ "Hgss.co.uk". Archived from the original on 4 April 2015.
  10. ^ Cain, Rebecca (3 January 2010). "Another successful year for the Jackie Palmer Stage School and agency". Bucks Free Press. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  11. ^ "Aaron Taylor-Johnson reflects on relationship with social media: 'Things still hurt'". The Independent. 15 February 2023. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  12. ^ "Catching up with Aaron Taylor-Johnson". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on 10 June 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  13. ^ "Sewell to Return to Stage in Macbeth". Archived from the original on 12 April 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2013.
  14. ^ Writer/director Neil Burger explains this on the film's DVD commentary.
  15. ^ "Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news". Ain't It Cool News. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
  16. ^ Gholson, John (2 May 2011). "'Kick-Ass' Kicks Ass at BNAT – The Moviefone Blog". Scifisquad.com. Archived from the original on 23 March 2010. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
  17. ^ Sneider, Jeff (6 December 2010). "Aaron Johnson Joins Mia Wasikowska in 'Albert Nobbs'". Thewrap.com. Archived from the original on 4 February 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
  18. ^ "Watch REM's Uberlin, starring Aaron Johnson – video". The Guardian. London. 2 March 2011. Archived from the original on 30 July 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  19. ^ McWeeny, Drew (30 June 2012). "Review: Oliver Stone turns Aaron Johnson, Taylor Kitsch, and Blake Lively into 'Savages'". HitFix. Archived from the original on 31 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  20. ^ Kroll, Justin (6 February 2013). "Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston circling 'Godzilla'". Variety. Archived from the original on 13 March 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  21. ^ a b Gettell, Oliver (25 February 2014). "'Godzilla' trailer: Bryan Cranston panics, destruction rains down". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 26 February 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  22. ^ a b "Official: Elizabeth Olsen & Aaron Taylor-Johnson Join 'Avengers: Age of Ultron'". Marvel. 25 November 2013. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  23. ^ Milly, Jenna (14 March 2014). "'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' premiere: Crossover is the word". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 15 March 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  24. ^ Kroll, Justin (9 May 2016). "Aaron Taylor-Johnson Eyed for Lead in Doug Liman's 'The Wall' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 1 December 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  25. ^ Hipes, Patrick (22 May 2019). "Christopher Nolan's New Movie Gets A Title, Final Cast As Shooting Begins". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 7 June 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  26. ^ McNary, Dave (22 October 2020). "Aaron Taylor-Johnson Joins Brad Pitt on 'Bullet Train' at Sony". Variety. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  27. ^ Kroll, Justin (28 October 2022). "Aaron Taylor-Johnson Joins Ryan Gosling In The Fall Guy". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 6 November 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  28. ^ Verhoeven, Beatrice (26 May 2021). "Aaron Taylor-Johnson to Play Spider-Man Villain Kraven the Hunter in Solo Movie". TheWrap. Archived from the original on 26 May 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  29. ^ Kroll, Justin (3 March 2023). "Aaron Taylor-Johnson Joins Robert Eggers' Nosferatu Movie For Focus". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 3 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  30. ^ Kroll, Justin (24 April 2024). "Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson And Ralph Fiennes To Star In 28 Years Later For Danny Boyle And Sony Pictures". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  31. ^ "Aaron Taylor-Johnson Responds to Criticism Over Age Gap With Wife Sam". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on 25 March 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  32. ^ "Aaron Taylor-Johnson Blasts 'Bizarre' Criticism of His Personal Life". Glamour. 11 September 2023. Archived from the original on 25 March 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  33. ^ Jessen, Monique; Chi, Paul (3 May 2010). "She's Having His Baby!". People. Archived from the original on 7 December 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  34. ^ Buchanan, Kyle (22 June 2012). "Aaron Johnson, Sam Taylor-Wood Marry". Vulture. Archived from the original on 10 July 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  35. ^ Shira, Dahvi (22 June 2012). "Aaron Johnson Marries Sam Taylor-Wood". People. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  36. ^ Gilbey, Ryan (23 April 2015). "Aaron Taylor-Johnson: 'Changing my name felt beautiful'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 14 January 2018. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  37. ^ "It's Not Sexist to Point Out That A Powerful Woman Might Have Groomed A Teen Boy, FYI". Retrieved 13 December 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  38. ^ "Sam Taylor-Johnson Said She Finds It "Strange" When People "Question" Her And Aaron Taylor-Johnson's 23-Year Age Gap". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved 13 December 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  39. ^ "Sam Taylor-Johnson, 57, admits age-gap relationship with husband Aaron, 33, can be 'uncomfortable' at times". New York Post. Retrieved 13 December 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  40. ^ "Why the internet is so obsessed with Sam and Aaron Taylor-Johnson's 23-year age gap — and 11-year marriage". Business Insider. Retrieved 13 December 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  41. ^ "50 Best Dressed Men in Britain 2015". British GQ. 5 January 2015. Archived from the original on 7 January 2015.
  42. ^ Chekoufi, Farouk. "Aaron Taylor-Johnson On Style, Storytelling And Staying Creative". GQ Australia.
  43. ^ "The anti-James Bond: Why kale-growing Aaron Taylor-Johnson would be a 007 like no other". Yahoo Life. 19 March 2024. Archived from the original on 21 March 2024. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  44. ^ Vivarelli, Nick (8 July 2022). "Aaron Taylor-Johnson to be Honored With Locarno Film Festival Excellence Award". Variety. Archived from the original on 5 May 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
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