Charlie Hunnam Bio
Charles Matthew Hunnam is an English actor and producer known for leading roles across film and television. He rose to prominence as Jackson Teller in the FX drama Sons of Anarchy, earning critical nominations for his performances. Hunnam has starred in Green Street, Nicholas Nickleby, Pacific Rim, and The Lost City of Z, and he played Arthur Pendragon in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. His work further includes The Gentlemen and other projects across action, drama and adventure. His television work also features Queer as Folk, Undeclared, and the Apple TV+ series Shantaram.
Early Life and Background
Charles Matthew Hunnam was born in Newcastle upon Tyne on 10 April 1980, the son of Jane Bell, a ballet dancer and business owner, and William Hunnam. One of his grandmothers was a portrait artist. His mother raised him as a single parent. He has an older brother named William and two younger half brothers on his mother side named Oliver and Christian.
At age 12, when his mother remarried, the family moved to Melmerby in Cumbria. He attended Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Penrith, from which he was later expelled. During his adolescence, he played rugby and fought with his classmates. After that, instead of going to university, he decided to go to the Cumbria College of Art and Design in Carlisle to study performing arts.
Path to Acting
Hunnam was discovered at the age of 17 in a branch of JD Sports on Christmas Eve, while playing around with his brother during a trip to buy shoes. A production manager for the Newcastle-based teen drama Byker Grove approached Hunnam and he was later cast in his first role as Jason for three episodes of the show. He also had a brief modelling career where he did a photo shoot for Kangol Caps and then decided modelling was not for him.
Hunnam first major role came at age 18 when he was cast by Russell T Davies as 15-year-old schoolboy Nathan Maloney in Davies Channel 4 drama Queer as Folk. He followed this up with his role as Daz in the film Whatever Happened to Harold Smith? and then moved to the United States. Hunnam was heavily considered by George Lucas for the role of Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, but ultimately Hayden Christensen was cast in the role instead.
Charlie Hunnam Career
Early Career (1998-2007)
Hunnam career expanded to include a recurring role as Gregor Ryder in the WB series Young Americans. He then appeared in the short-lived Fox series Undeclared as a British drama student called Lloyd Haythe. Despite critical acclaim, the series was cancelled after one season. Hunnam then appeared on the large screen in Abandon, Nicholas Nickleby, and Cold Mountain.
This decision resulted in his return to the UK to take the lead role of Pete Dunham in the film Green Street. His attempt at delivering a Cockney accent resulted in his inclusion in many critics worst accents in movie history lists. Hunnam said his role as Patric, a member of The Fishes in Children of Men, was the final part in his trilogy of mad men roles that included Cold Mountain and Green Street.
Breakthrough (2008-2014)
From 2008 to 2014, Hunnam starred in Sons of Anarchy as Jackson Teller, leader of SAMCRO, a prominent motorcycle club set in the fictional town of Charming, California. Hunnam was cast after Kurt Sutter, the creator of the show, saw him in Green Street. His portrayal as Jax Teller has led Hunnam to receive a Critics Choice Television Award nomination, two EWwy Award nominations for Best Lead Actor in a Drama series, and a PAAFTJ Award nomination for Best Cast in a Drama Series.
In 2011, Hunnam played the role of Gavin Nichols in the philosophical drama thriller The Ledge by Matthew Chapman. In 2012, he starred as the title character in the indie comedy 3,2,1… Frankie Go Boom alongside his Sons of Anarchy co-star Ron Perlman. He also appeared as Jay, an ex-boxer, in Stefan Ruzowitzky crime drama Deadfall.
Notable Works and Milestones
Hunnam starred as Raleigh Becket in Guillermo del Toro sci-fi film Pacific Rim, which opened in July 2013 and grossed over $400 million worldwide. In 2014, Hunnam was awarded a Huading Award for Best Global Emerging Actor for his role as Raleigh in Pacific Rim due to the film performing well in Asian markets. Hunnam reunited with del Toro in the horror film Crimson Peak, which was released in October 2015.
Leading Man Era (2016-2019)
Hunnam starred as geographer Percy Fawcett in James Gray adaptation The Lost City of Z. The film had its world premiere in October 2016 as the closing night selection at the New York Film Festival and was released in the United States in April 2017. Hunnam played the eponymous title role in Guy Ritchie action-adventure film King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, which was released in May 2017. He next starred in Guy Ritchie 2019 film The Gentlemen alongside Matthew McConaughey.
Recent Projects (2020-Present)
Hunnam portrayed Charlie Waldo in the 2022 mystery thriller Last Looks. His first television series for Apple TV+, Shantaram, premiered in October 2022. Hunnam led the cast of characters as Dale Conti, also known as Lindsay Ford. The series was based on Gregory David Roberts 2003 autobiographical novel.
Hunnam joined Zack Snyder Netflix project Rebel Moon. The epic space opera, Rebel Moon Part One: A Child of Fire had a limited theatrical release in December 2023 and was released worldwide via Netflix streaming service shortly after. Rebel Moon Part Two: The Scargiver was released worldwide in April 2024 on Netflix. In May 2024, Hunnam was cast in the lead role for Amazon Prime Video adaptation of the comic series Criminal.
Charlie Hunnam Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Charlie Hunnam has received several award nominations recognizing his work in television and film. His portrayal of Jackson Teller in Sons of Anarchy earned him a Critics Choice Television Award nomination for Best Actor in a Drama Series. He also received two EWwy Award nominations for Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series and a PAAFTJ Award nomination for Best Cast in a Drama Series for his work on the show.
Charlie Hunnam Awards Won
Charlie Hunnam has won notable awards for his performances. In 2014, he received the Huading Award for Best Global Emerging Actor for his role as Raleigh Becket in the science fiction film Pacific Rim. The film success in Asian markets contributed to this recognition, highlighting Hunnam appeal to international audiences.
Charlie Hunnam Family
Charlie Hunnam was born to William Hunnam and Jane Bell. His mother is a ballet dancer and business owner who raised him as a single parent. He has an older brother named William and two younger half brothers on his mother side named Oliver and Christian. One of his grandmothers was a portrait artist.
Personal Life
Hunnam met actress Katharine Towne in 1999 when they both auditioned for roles on Dawson Creek. After dating for three weeks, they married in Las Vegas. They divorced in 2002. He has been in a relationship with artist Morgana McNelis since 2005. In 2016, he began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Rigan Machado and received his blue belt in October 2018.