The Irish actor Jamie Dornan began his journey to fame with a modeling career: he acted in films for advertising, participated in photo shoots, and was the “face” of famous brands. Fans of cinema, or rather, the female audience, became known after the role of millionaire Christian Gray in the erotic melodrama Fifty Shades of Gray. Although the film, like the book, is hardly a masterpiece, its record box office and commercial success paved the way for Dornan to the world of big cinema.
Biography: early years
James Dornan was born in 1982. His childhood and youth passed in Northern Ireland, or rather, in the suburbs of Belfast. The actor celebrates his birthday on May 1. Dornan has two older sisters - Lisa and Jessica. His father Jim is a famous obstetrician-gynecologist, professor. Once, he also thought about his acting career. Lorna - the mother of Jamie - worked as a nurse and was a cousin of the famous British actress Greer Garzon.
Since 1993, Dornan attended Belfast Methodist College. He played in the school rugby team and even then he was distinguished by an enviable physique, which his fans like so much. In addition to sports, Jamie enthusiastically studied in a drama club. Teachers and former students of the Methodological College still remember his first roles in school productions, in which the young actor was extremely convincing.
At age 15, Dornan experienced a severe emotional shock when his mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. After 18 months, she was gone. A year later, Jamie was waiting for a new blow: in a car accident, two of his best friends died at once. In an interview, Jim Dornan recalled how courageously his son held on to the most difficult moments of his life, despite his young age. Jamie worthily accepted his father’s new marriage - with gynecologist Samina.
He found an unexpected salvation in music: together with a school friend he organized the group Sons of Jim. Novice musicians performed in local pubs, playing folk, acoustic compositions and songs of their own composition. The group existed until 2008 and even went on tour with Scottish singer Kate Tunsthal.
In 2000, Dornan graduated from high school. In his certificate you can find only three highest marks - in English, art history and classical literature. To continue his education, he entered the University of Teesside, where he planned to study marketing. Pretty soon, the new student dropped out to go to London and begin a modeling career.
Career in the modeling business
In 2001, Jamie took part in the reality show Model Behavior on the British channel Channel 4. He did not become a winner, but he received a contract with the famous agency Select Model Managament. The modeling career brought Dornan the first success, public attention and substantial fees for which he bought his own housing in London. Representatives of the fashion world liked his pensive face with the profile of a Roman senator and special body proportions, as if created for photographs. Jamie collaborated with the most famous fashion houses and brands:
- Abercrombie & Fitch;
- Armani;
- Dior Homme;
- Calvin Klein;
- Dolce & Gabanna;
- Zara;
- Hugo Boss;
- Levi's Jeans.
Together with him, models Kate Moss, Lily Aldridge, Malin Akerman, actress Eva Mendes, Keira Knightley posed in front of the camera lens. In 2006, the New York Times devoted an article to Dornan entitled The Golden Torso. Studying the phenomenon of his popularity, journalist Guy Trebay talked with creative director of GQ magazine Jim Moore. “For twenty years, I have seen maybe four models that have what Jamie Dornan has … He's the male version of Kate Moss. He brings relaxation to the model, ”Moore shared his impressions.
Actor career
Successful work as a model helped Dornan attract the attention of representatives of the film industry. In an interview, he recalled how he rehearsed with his band Sons of Jim when his English agent called for a casting for a small role in the film Marie Antoinette (2006). The next day, Jamie flew to Paris to take samples from the director Sofia Coppola. He was approved for the role of Count Axel Fersen - beloved Maria Antoinette, played by actress Kirsten Dunst. The debut was successful, Dornan was praised by film critics who noted his acting and outstanding external data.
In 2009, Jamie appeared in the British independent project Shadows in the Sun and starred in a pair of short films. In 2011, the young actor was invited to television in the fantasy television series Once Upon a Time. He appeared in nine episodes, playing the role of the Hunter. The next stage of Dornan’s career is the main role in the series Crash, where his partner was Gillian Anderson, the star of The X-Files. He played the charismatic maniac Paul Spector in 2013-2016 for 17 episodes.
In the casting for the adaptation of the erotic bestseller “Fifty Shades of Gray” Ian Sommerholder, Alexander Skarsgard, Scott Eastwood, Chase Crawford and other young actors took part. Initially, director Sam Taylor-Johnson approved the role of Christian Gray as an Englishman Charlie Hunnam. When he refused, citing a complicated work schedule, Jamie Dornan was invited to the project. This was officially announced on October 23, 2013. The main female role was played by actress Dakota Johnson.
The premiere of “Fifty Shades of Gray” was held on February 11, 2015 at the Berlin International Festival. Critics did not skimp on negative reviews, making fun of dialogues, script, and the interaction of the main characters. The film received five Golden Raspberry film awards, including Dornan’s victory in the Worst Actor nomination and his colleagues Dakota Johnson in the Worst Actress nomination. However, the impressive box office - more than half a billion dollars - showed a clear spectator interest in the relationship of an amateur millionaire BDSM and an innocent student.
In 2017, the continuation of the first part was released - “Fifty Shades of Darker”, and in 2018 - the final film of the “Fifty Shades of Freedom” trilogy. In all three episodes, Jamie Dornan faithfully fulfilled his contract, although he complained that he was not too happy to flaunt half of the screen time with a naked torso.
In any case, the role of Christian Gray gave a powerful impetus to Dornan's career. He received the coveted pass to Hollywood and intends to use it to the maximum. In 2018, three new films with the participation of the actor were released:
- "My dinner with Herve";
- "Robin Hood";
- "Private war."
