Jonathan Rhys Meyers biography
Jonathan Rhys Meyers (born Jonathan Michael Francis O’Keeffe; 27 July 1977) is an Ireland film and television actor. He is best known for playing King Henry VIII in the BBC and Showtime drama The Tudors and for his androgynous appearance. His looks and distinct style allow him to also work as a Model (person), most notably for Club Monaco, Versace, and Hugo Boss.
Biography
Early life
Meyers was born Jonathan Michael Francis O’Keeffe in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, the son of Geraldine Meyers and John O'Keeffe, who is a musician. His stage name is derived from his mother's maiden name, Meyers.
Rhys Meyers was born with a serious heart problem and was baptism shortly after his birth, as it was feared he would not survive long enough for a traditional baptism ceremony. He spent the first few months of his life in the hospital. Meyers still lives in County Cork, Republic of Ireland where his family moved when he was a few months old. He has three younger brothers named Jamie, Alan, Paul.
When Rhys Meyers was three years old, his parents separated. His mother raised Jonathan and his brother Alan, while his other two brothers went to live at their grandmother's house with their father. They had spoken every day for several years.
Career
Rhys Meyers was expelled from the North Monastery Secondary School at age 16, and spent much of his time hanging out in pool halls namely the Victoria Sporting Club on Patricks Quay and the Coliseum Leisure Centre on McCurtain Street. Casting agents looking for Irish boys to appear in
War of the Buttons (1994 film) spotted Rhys Meyers at a Cork (city) pool hall, the Victoria Sporting Club, and invited him to audition. Although he was passed over for
War of the Buttons (1994 film), the casting agents encouraged him to pursue a career in acting. His first film role came soon afterward, in
A Man of No Importance (1994). In 1996 he appeared in
Michael Collins (film), as Michael Collins (Irish leader)' assassin.
Rhys Meyers has starred in television series including
Gormenghast (miniseries) (2000) and in the CBS 4-hour mini-series
Elvis (TV series) (2005) as Elvis Presley alongside Rose McGowan as Ann-Margret. The latter earned him an Emmy nomination and a Golden Globe win. He is currently starring in the BBC series
The Tudors (2007) as young King Henry VIII. He was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series - Drama in 65th Golden Globe Awards for the role.
His film roles range from a David Bowie-inspired glam rock star in
Velvet Goldmine (1998) to a dedicated girls' Football (soccer) coach in
Bend It Like Beckham (2002). He appeared in
Vanity Fair (2004 film) (2004) alongside Reese Witherspoon. In 2005, Rhys Meyers starred in Woody Allen's film
Match Point (film), for which he received a Chopard Trophy at the Cannes Film Festival. In 2006, he appeared in
Mission: Impossible III. Other projects include
August Rush (2007) and "The Children of Huang Shi" (2007). He is rumored to be appearing in Danny Glover's Haitian epic
Toussaint (2008). He is also signed on to star as Lee Falk's comic strip hero
Mandrake the Magician in an upcoming movie directed by Chuck Russell, but is confirmed to star in
Shelter along with Julianne Moore for an expected 2009 release.
Rhys Meyers also has experience as a singer. He did much of his own singing in the role of rock star Brian Slade in
Velvet Goldmine, although some of these songs were replaced on the CD release of the soundtrack with alternate tracks by better-known vocalists. Rhys Meyers also sings briefly in the TV miniseries version of
The Magnificent Ambersons (film). His singing voice is also featured in his film
August Rush and on the film's soundtrack on songs "Break," "Moondance," "This Time" and "Something Inside."
Rhys Meyers was chosen as the face for the Gianni Versace S.p.A. men's collection of Autumn/Winter 2006 and Spring 2007, and he has also been the face of the Hugo Boss men's fragrance range since 2005. He is signed to Independent Models in London.
Personal life
Rhys Meyers has been romantically linked to several actresses in the past, including his
Velvet Goldmine co-star Toni Collette. The pair were together for a year following the completion of the film. Other short relationships include Rachael Leigh Cook (rumoured), Asia Argento (during the filming of B. Monkey), Irish model Glenda Gilson (rumoured), and Estella Warren (rumoured). He and co-star Scarlett Johansson both denied persistent rumors of romantic involvement while working on
Match Point. His engagement to Dublin socialite/model Cha Cha Seigne, whom he considers his first true love, ended in separation in 2002. He has also been linked to English socialite Lady Victoria Hervey in the past and dated fashion model Lisa Butcher on and off for a year, beginning in the summer of 2002, where they met in France at a party held for the film The Importance of Being Earnest.
In 2004, Rhys Meyers met Reena Hammer, London-based student and heiress to mother Ruby Hammer's cosmetics line (Ruby & Millie) and father George Hammer, owner of Urban Retreat Spa at Harrods. The relationship has been on and off through the years with frequent rumors of engagements. Ms. Hammer is often by his side for premieres, events, and at the November 2007 funeral of Jonathan's mother. They attended the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala, in New York on Monday, May 5, 2008 and were most recently seen together on June 12, 2008 attending the Monte Carlo Television Festival.
In May 2005, Rhys Meyers checked into rehab facility Promises in California seeking treatment for alcohol abuse. On 24 April 2007, the Associated Press reported that Rhys Meyers returned to treatment. The actor's representative Meredith O'Sullivan confirmed the news to People magazine citing his need to take a break from his busy schedule in order to maintain sobriety. On Sunday 18 November 2007 Rhys Meyers was arrested in Dublin Airport and charged with being drunk and in breach of the peace. He was later released on bail to appear at the Dublin District Court on 5 December 2007. He was in Dublin to promote his new movie
August Rush on the Irish television programme
Tubridy Tonight. The charges were later dropped.
On November 20, 2007, the actor's mother, Geraldine Meyers-O'Keeffe, died after being admitted to the Mercy Hospital in Cork. She was 50 years old.
He owns houses and apartments in Nichols Canyon, Los Angeles, California, Dublin, Ireland, London, England and Morocco, splitting his time between Los Angeles and London when not working.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers in the news
Jonathan Rhys Meyers Held After Airport Brawl - People Magazine
Straits TimesJonathan Rhys Meyers Held After Airport BrawlPeople MagazineTudors star Jonathan Rhys Meyers was detained by French police on Saturday afternoon following an incident in which he allegedly ...Meyers Restrained After Drunken Rant At French CopsSan Francisco ChronicleJonathan Rhys Meyers arrestedExaminer.comJonathan Rhys Meyers: Airport BrawlerThe Gossip GirlsAFP -United Press International -msnbc.com -hecklersprayall 146 news articles »
read moreTime for Meyers to re-enter rehab? - The Gazette (Montreal)
Columbus DispatchTime for Meyers to re-enter rehab?The Gazette (Montreal)Jonathan Rhys Meyers has a nasty hangover and a September court date after a rampage at Charles de Gaulle airport ...Jonathan Rhys Meyers, star of Tudors, arrested for threatening ...Films and Books MagazineHe really should avoid airportsMiamiHerald.comPeople in the newsColumbus DispatchIrish Independentall 7 news articles »
read moreJune 25, 2009: Johnny Depp's tip, Jonathan Rhys Meyers&...
June 25, 2009: Johnny Depp's tip, Jonathan Rhys Meyers' arrest and ...SuburbanJournalsActor Jonathan Rhys Meyers was arrested on charges that he punched a waiter at Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris on Saturday when he couldn't get another ...and more »
read moreLinks: Breckin Meyer & Jonathan Rhys Meyers on the Attack -...
Links: Breckin Meyer & Jonathan Rhys Meyers on the AttackBlackBook Magazine[TMZ] ● Jonathan Rhys Meyers was arrested at the Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris on Saturday after getting into a fight and punching a bar employee who ...and more »
read moreJonathan Rhys Meyers Hits Up Bang Cafe - The Gossip Girls
Just JaredJonathan Rhys Meyers Hits Up Bang CafeThe Gossip GirlsEnjoying a beautiful evening, Jonathan Rhys Meyers was spotted leaving Bang Café in Dublin, Ireland last night (June 19). The “Tudors” stud looked super ...Jonathan Rhys Meyers Gets Banged UpJust JaredNo worries for Tudors star on the town with latest squeezeIrish Independentall 4 news articles »
read moreRelease of "Housewives" sex tape blocked for now ...
Release of "Housewives" sex tape blocked for nowSan Diego Union Tribune•“The Tudors” star Jonathan Rhys Meyers, 31, was detained for several hours after allegedly punching a waiter in a drunken scuffle at a Paris airport. ...and more »
read moreJonathan Rhys Meyers: Gala Glam! - TheInsider.com
Jonathan Rhys Meyers: Gala Glam!TheInsider.comImagine waking up in the morning and seeing the face of Jonathan Rhys Meyers!! The lovely couple attended The Raisa Gorbachev Foundation Fourth Annual ...and more »
read moreUPI NewsTrack Entertainment News - United Press International
UPI NewsTrack Entertainment NewsUnited Press InternationalPARIS, June 24 (UPI) -- Irish actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers was handcuffed and questioned after he allegedly, while drunk, challenged police to a fight in a ...and more »
read moreWaking up to: Britney, Jonas Brothers, Pattinson - Examiner.com
Examiner.comWaking up to: Britney, Jonas Brothers, PattinsonExaminer.comJonathan Rhys Meyers, star of The Tudors, was placed in custody by French police Saturday afternoon following an alleged assault on an airport bar employee. ...and more »
read moreThe Emmys | Clothes Make the Show - New York Times
New York TimesThe Emmys | Clothes Make the ShowNew York TimesShe has always outfitted Henry VIII (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) as a charismatic head-turner. (“I think: the Rolling Stones entering a room. ...and more »
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