Biography
Date of Birth
2 December 1991, Bournemouth, Dorset, England, UK
Height
5' 10" (1.78 m)
Mini Biography
Ben Hardy was born Ben Jones on 2 January 1991 in England, United Kingdom. He grew up in Sherborne and attended The Gryphon School.
Ben starred in The Judas Kiss (1998) play, written by David Hare, in 2012 and played the character Arthur Wellesley, a member of the hotel staff. The play was held in Hampstead Theatre on the September 6, 2012.
On April 19, 2013 it was announced that Ben would play Peter Beale in EastEnders, taking over from Thomas Law who played the character from 2006 until 2010. He made his first appearance as Peter on 7 June 2013. On November 19, 2014 it was announced that Ben would leave the show.
Hardy joined the cast of X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) on February 25, 2015, following his departure from EastEnders in an (at the time) undisclosed role. Since leaving EastEnders that February, he was persistently linked to Singer's next X-Men film, and was at one point rumored to be in the running to play Cyclops, a role that went to Tye Sheridan. However, Hardy ended up playing winged mutant Angel (a.k.a Warren Worthington III).
Trivia
Graduated from the Central School of Speech and Drama with a BA (Hons) in Acting.
Despite playing twins on EastEnders (1985), Hardy is actually 3 years older than Hetti Bywater.
Never showed an interest in acting until he was in his early teens. Before that time he aspired to be a sports personality.
Quotes
I don't really think of myself as a heartthrob.
There's one scene where I took my t-shirt off. I was wearing a t-shirt and a hoodie, and I took my hoodie off and took my t-shirt off to give to the girl because she got her top dirty or something. It was like, why don't I just give her my hoodie - that makes no sense whatsoever! I just took off another layer just to take my top off.
When my family first found out about my part in 'EastEnders' they were happy for me and very supportive.
It's great to be up for 'Best Newcomer' and 'Sexiest Male.'
I don't really know how my family and friends will react to seeing me on screen in a cinema. I'm sure it'll be an odd experience for them, just like I'm sure it will be for me.
I remember watching 'EastEnders' as a kid with my mum, and even my dad would be gripped by the odd episode. So to think I would be part of the show was a strange feeling at first.
I have so many man crushes - 'my brother' Tom Hardy, Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper - if he's here today, I might get a bit squealish.
I don't regret being topless in certain things, but there were some things in 'EastEnders' where there was no reason for me to be topless.
I'm really excited to be joining the fantastic cast of 'EastEnders' - a show which my family have watched for years.
I just wanted to get out there and do different roles and try new things.
L.A. is big, although Hollywood's not as glamorous as I thought; it's kind of grungy.
You're always aware that only eight per cent of actors are in work at one time, so you've got to be thankful for the job you've got and do the best you can.
It's been great; the whole experience was surreal to me. To go from 'EastEnders' to 'X-Men' was like a dream. I could never have thought when I left 'EastEnders' that I would get this good a gig and so soon.
I have got a lot of respect for Arsene Wenger but, reluctantly, I am in the 'Wenger Out' campaign.
I try not to be topless any more because I don't want that to be my thing.
I didn't actually grow up in London.
On stage, you rehearse for five weeks, and it goes out to 300 people. In 'EastEnders,' you get ten minutes to rehearse, and seven million people watch it!
Working on 'X Men,' I got to do a lot of flying and fighting, which was good fun.
I love theater. I really want to go back to it.
I'd love to play a lead in the theatre.
Working with Mrs. Clarke at The Gryphon School is when I really began to think of acting as a potential career.
For a while, I didn't want to leave the house. Eventually, I just got sick of being indoors. Now I take steps not to be noticed when I don't want to be. For instance, I live near Westfield shopping centre, so I won't go there at the weekend.
As far as I know, the original 'X-Men' actors will remain in the franchise.
It's crazy. I couldn't believe it going from 'EastEnders' to 'X-Men.' I was just looking to leave and get any job, so when I actually got the job, I was in dreamland.
It's hard to imagine you've got these massive wings in your back. You have to think about how it's going to affect your posture, affect the way you move, just, like, the sheer weight of them.
If you express yourself too much. you're overacting; if you underplay it too much, it can come across as wooden.
I'm chuffed to be getting gritty stuff.
