Clive Owen

Clive Owen, born on October 3, 1964, is an esteemed English actor known for his versatile performances across film and television.
Owen initially gained recognition in the United Kingdom for his portrayal of the lead character in the ITV series "Chancer" from 1990 to 1991. His talent was further acknowledged with critical acclaim for his role in the film "Close My Eyes" (1991). However, it was his captivating performance as a struggling writer in "Croupier" (1998) that propelled him to international fame.


In 2004, Owen received widespread praise, including a Golden Globe and a BAFTA Award, and an Academy Award nomination for his role in the drama "Closer" (2004).
Throughout his career, Owen has taken on leading roles in various notable films such as "Sin City" (2005), "Derailed" (2005), "Inside Man" (2006), "Children of Men" (2006), and "The International" (2009). His captivating performances have solidified his status as a respected actor in the industry.
In 2012, Owen earned his first Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for his portrayal of Ernest Hemingway in "Hemingway & Gellhorn."
Owen also made his mark on television, notably starring as Dr. John W. Thackery in the Cinemax medical drama series "The Knick." For his compelling performance, he received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actor in a Television Series Drama.
In 2021, Owen showcased his talent in the psychological romance horror miniseries "Lisey's Story" and portrayed President Bill Clinton in the third season of "American Crime Story." He continued his television success with roles in "A Murder at the End of the World" (2023) and "Monsieur Spade" (2024), further cementing his reputation as a versatile and accomplished actor in both film and television.


Clive Owen, born on October 3, 1964, hails from Keresley, Coventry, which was then part of Warwickshire. He is the fourth of five sons born to Pamela (née Cotton) and Jess Owen. Owen's father, who was a country and western singer, departed from the family when Owen was merely three years old. Despite a brief attempt at reconciliation when Owen was 19, the relationship between father and son remained strained, resulting in estrangement. Owen has reflected on his upbringing, describing it as "rough."
Initially hesitant about pursuing drama school, Owen eventually changed his mind in 1984 after a prolonged and unsuccessful period of searching for work. He subsequently attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), where he honed his acting skills. Following his graduation from RADA, Owen found himself performing at the Young Vic, showcasing his talent in various Shakespearean plays.


Clive Owen initially established himself in television before transitioning to film. In 1988, he portrayed Gideon Sarn in a BBC adaptation of "Precious Bane" and starred in the Channel 4 movie "Vroom." Throughout the 1990s, Owen became a familiar face on both stage and screen in the UK. He gained recognition for his lead role in the ITV series "Chancer" and appeared in the Thames Television production of "Lorna Doone."
His breakthrough came with the Stephen Poliakoff film "Close My Eyes" in 1991, where he delivered a critically acclaimed performance in a story about incestuous love. Owen's repertoire expanded with roles in various television productions, including "The Magician," "Class of '61," "Century," "Nobody's Children," "An Evening with Gary Lineker," "Doomsday Gun," "Return of the Native," and the Carlton production "Sharman," where he portrayed a private detective.


In 1996, Owen made his debut in a major Hollywood film with "The Rich Man's Wife," alongside Halle Berry. However, it was his role in the Channel 4 film "Croupier" (1998), directed by Mike Hodges, that brought him international acclaim. In "Croupier," Owen played the title character, a struggling writer who becomes entangled in a casino robbery scheme, showcasing his versatility and depth as an actor.
Continuing his successful career, Owen appeared in various BBC productions, such as "The Echo," and starred in the film "Greenfingers," portraying a criminal who finds redemption through gardening. He also featured in the BBC1 mystery series "Second Sight." Additionally, Owen lent his voice to the BBC2 documentary "Walk On By" and received acclaim for his performance in a theatre revival of Peter Nichols' play "A Day in the Death of Joe Egg," depicting a couple coping with a severely handicapped daughter.


Clive Owen's career soared in North America in 2001 after starring as "The Driver" in The Hire, a series of short films sponsored by BMW and directed by renowned filmmakers. He gained further recognition for his roles in Robert Altman's "Gosford Park" and "The Bourne Identity" in 2002.
In 2003, Owen collaborated again with director Mike Hodges in "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" and starred in "Beyond Borders" and as King Arthur in "King Arthur," showcasing his versatility. The following year, he appeared in the Royal National Theatre debut of Patrick Marber's play "Closer," both on stage and in its film adaptation, earning critical acclaim and awards nominations for his role.


After "Closer," Owen continued to make a mark in Hollywood with roles in "Derailed" alongside Jennifer Aniston, the comic book adaptation "Sin City," and the thriller "Inside Man." Although rumored to be a potential successor to Pierce Brosnan as James Bond, he never received an offer for the role. Instead, he spoofed the Bond connection in the remake of "The Pink Panther" in 2006.
In 2006, Owen starred in the dystopian thriller "Children of Men," followed by "Shoot 'Em Up" and "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" in 2007. He also appeared in the Christmas special of the show "Extras." Owen's diverse range of roles continued with "The International" in 2009 and "The Boys Are Back," an Australian adaptation.


In 2010, Owen starred opposite Nicole Kidman in the HBO film "Hemingway & Gellhorn" and in the horror-thriller "Intruders." He later appeared in "Blood Ties" alongside Marion Cotillard and made his Broadway debut in Harold Pinter's "Old Times." Owen returned to Broadway in 2017 in a revival of David Henry Hwang's "M. Butterfly."
In 2019, Owen portrayed Reverend T. Lawrence Shannon in the West End production of "The Night of the Iguana" and played Dovidl Rapaport in "The Song of Names." He also portrayed Bill Clinton in the miniseries "Impeachment: American Crime Story." Throughout his career, Owen has showcased his talent across stage, television, and film, earning accolades and praise for his performances.

References

1.  "A History of Keresley". 14 March 2021.
2. Maher, Kevin (8 September 2007). "Clive Owen's orgy of violence". Times Online. London. Retrieved 19 September 2007.
3. Wood, Gaby (11 July 2004). "The player". The Observer. London. Retrieved 19 September 2007.
4. "conservatoirefor dance and drama". cdd.ac.uk. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
5. "The Biography Channel". thebiographychannel.co.uk. Archived from the original on 30 May 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
6. "Watch The Hire: 8 Short Films Shot for BMW by John Woo, Ang Lee & Other Popular Filmmakers (2002) | Open Culture".
7. Topel, Fred (4 September 2007). "Clive Owen: A totally original badass". Crave Online. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 19 September 2007.