James McAvoy Jr. is a Scottish actor. He made his acting debut as a teen in The Near Room (1995) and made mostly television appearances until 2003, when his feature film career began. His notable television work includes the thriller State of Play and the science fiction mini-series Frank Herbert’s Children of Dune.
Besides screen acting, McAvoy has performed in several West End productions and received three nominations for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor. He has also done voice work for animated films including Gnomeo & Juliet, its sequel, Sherlock Gnomes, and Arthur Christmas.
Birth Name
James McAvoy
Nickname
Jamesy Boy, Jimmy, Floyd
Profession
Actor
Nationality
Scottish
Personal Life
Birthday / Date of Birth
James McAvoy was born on April 21, 1979 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
Age
He is currently 39 years old.
Sun Sign
Taurus
Ethnicity
White
Religion
He was raised Catholic, and attended a Catholic school for school education.
Education
James attended St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School in Jordanhill, Glasgow and then attended the Royal Scotish Academy of Music and Drama, graduating in 2000.
Family Details
- Father – James McAvoy, Sr. (Builder, Formerly a Bus Driver)
- Mother – Elizabeth (née Johnstone) (Psychiatric Nurse)
- Siblings – Joy McAvoy (Younger Sister) (Singer), Donald McAvoy (Paternal Younger Half-Brother)
- Others – Mary (Maternal Grandmother), James Johnstone (Butcher) (Maternal Grandfather)
Manager
United Agents Ltd.
Marital Status
Divorced
Girlfriend / Spouse
James McAvoy dated –
- Emma Neilson (1995-2002) – From 1995 to 2002, James was romantically linked with fellow actress Emma Neilson.
- Anne-Marie Duff (2004-2016) – In October 2004, he started dating English actress Anne-Marie Duff, who had played his love interest in Shameless in the first two seasons. After dating for two years, they married on October 18, 2006, in a quiet ceremony. Anne gave birth to the couple’s first child, son Brendan in 2010. In May 2016, they had announced about their plan to divorce.
- Alexandra Shipp (2016) – In the summer of 2016, actors Alexandra Shipp and James were rumored to have hooked up together.
- Lisa Liberati (2016-Present) – Lisa Liberati and James first met on the set of the film Thriller Split, directed by M. Night Shyamalan. He played a prominent role in the film and Lisa was assisting her director Shyamalan. They made their relationship official via Instagram during a Halloween party in October 2017.
Physical Statistics
Height
- In feet – 5 feet 7 inches
- In centimeters – 170 cm
- In meters – 1.7 m
Weight
- In Kilograms – 67 kg
- In Pounds – 148 lbs
Body Measurements
James McAvoy’s body specifications may be –
- Chest – 41 in or 104 cm
- Arms / Biceps – 14 in or 35.5 cm
- Waist – 33 in or 84 cm
Body Build
Athletic
Eye Color
Blue
Hair Color
Light Brown
Shoe Size
Unknown
Sexuality
Straight
Professional Statistics
Film Debut
James McAvoy made his acting debut with the film The Near Room in 1995m in which he played the role of Kevin Savage.
Television Debut
McAvoy landed his first television gig in the ITV’s police procedural series The Bill, playing Gavin Donald in an episode entitled “Rent. in 1997.
Famous For
Playing young Professor Charles Xavier in the superhero film series X-Men, and as Robbie Turner in the 2007 romantic drama war film Atonement.
Brand Endorsements
McAvoy has endorsed the brands like Samsung and Motorola and appeared in their commercials as well.
Distinctive Features
- Blue eyes
- Wavy hair
- Scottish accent
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | The Near Room | Kevin Savage | |
| 1997 | An Angel Passes By | Local boy | Short film |
| 1997 | Regeneration | Anthony Balfour | |
| 2001 | Swimming Pool | Mike | |
| 2003 | Bright Young Things | The Earl of Balcairn | |
| 2003 | Bollywood Queen | Jay | |
| 2004 | Wimbledon | Carl Colt | |
| 2004 | Strings | Hal Tara | Voice role |
| 2004 | Inside I’m Dancing | Rory O’Shea | |
| 2005 | The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe | Mr. Tumnus | |
| 2006 | The Last King of Scotland | Dr. Nicholas Garrigan | |
| 2006 | Starter for 10 | Brian Jackson | |
| 2007 | Becoming Jane | Thomas Langlois Lefroy | |
| 2007 | Penelope | Johnny Martin/Max Campion | |
| 2007 | Atonement | Robbie Turner | |
| 2008 | Wanted | Wesley A. Gibson | |
| 2009 | The Last Station | Valentin Bulgakov | |
| 2011 | Gnomeo and Juliet | Gnomeo | Voice role |
| 2011 | The Conspirator | Frederick Aiken | |
| 2011 | X-Men: First Class | Charles Xavier / Professor X | |
| 2011 | Arthur Christmas | Arthur | Voice role |
| 2013 | Welcome to the Punch | Max Lewinsky | |
| 2013 | Trance | Simon Newton | |
| 2013 | Filth | Bruce Robertson | |
| 2014 | Muppets Most Wanted | Delivery Man | Cameo |
| 2014 | X-Men: Days of Future Past | Charles Xavier / Professor X (teenager) | Shared role with Patrick Stewart |
| 2014 | The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby | Conor Ludlow | |
| 2015 | Victor Frankenstein | Victor Frankenstein | |
| 2016 | X-Men: Apocalypse | Charles Xavier / Professor X | |
| 2016 | Split | Kevin Wendell Crumb / The Horde | San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor Seattle Film Critics Society Award for Villain of the Year Nominated — MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Actor in a Movie |
| 2017 | Atomic Blonde | David Percival | |
| 2017 | Submergence | James Moore | |
| 2018 | Sherlock Gnomes | Gnomeo | Voice role |
| 2018 | Deadpool 2 | Charles Xavier / Professor X | Uncredited cameo |
| 2019 | Glass | Kevin Wendell Crumb / The Horde | Post-production |
| 2019 | Dark Phoenix | Charles Xavier / Professor X | Post-production |
| 2019 | It: Chapter Two | Bill Denbrough | Post-production |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | The Bill | Gavin Donald | Episode: “Rent” |
| 2001 | Band of Brothers | Pvt. James W. Miller | Episode: “Replacements” |
| 2001 | Lorna Doone | Sergeant Bloxham | Television film |
| 2001 | Murder in Mind | Martin Vosper | Episode: “Teacher” |
| 2002 | White Teeth | Josh Malfen | 2 episodes |
| 2002 | The Inspector Lynley Mysteries | Gowan Ross | Episode: “Payment in Blood” |
| 2002 | Foyle’s War | Ray Pritchard | Episode: “The German Woman” |
| 2003 | Frank Herbert’s Children of Dune | Leto II Atreides | 3 episodes |
| 2003 | State of Play | Dan Foster | 6 episodes |
| 2003 | Early Doors | Liam | 4 episodes |
| 2004–05 | Shameless | Steve McBride | |
| 2005 | ShakespeaRe-Told | Joe Macbeth | Episode: “Macbeth” |
| 2009–10 | Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps | Mr. Maurice Mouseling (voice) | TV series |
| 2018 | Watership Down | Hazel (voice) | Miniseries, in production |
| TBA | His Dark Materials | Lord Asriel | TV series, in production |
Awards & Nominations
| Organization | Year | Work(s) | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance of Women Film Journalists | 2007 | Atonement | Best Seduction | Won |
| ALOS Awards | 2018 | Split | Best Actor in a Leading Role | Won |
| British Academy Film Awards | 2006 | Rising Star Award | Won | |
| 2007 | The Last King of Scotland | Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Nominated | |
| 2008 | Atonement | Best Actor in a Leading Role | Nominated | |
| British Academy Scotland Awards | 2007 | Atonement | Best Actor in Film | Won |
| 2014 | Filth | Best Actor in Film | Won | |
| British Comedy Awards | 2004 | Shameless | Best TV Comedy Newcomer | Nominated |
| British Independent Film Awards | 2006 | The Last King of Scotland | Best Performance by an Actor | Nominated |
| 2013 | Filth | Best Performance by an Actor | Won | |
| Cannes Film Festival | 2007 | Male Revelation | Won | |
| Central Ohio Film Critics Association | 2018 | Split | Best Actor | Nominated |
| Dublin Film Critics’ Circle | 2007 | Atonement | Best Actor | Nominated |
| Empire Awards | 2006 | The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe | Best Newcomer | Nominated |
| 2008 | Atonement | Best Actor | Won | |
| 2013 | Filth | Best Actor | Won | |
| European Film Awards | 2007 | The Last King of Scotland | European Actor | Nominated |
| 2008 | Atonement | European Actor | Nominated | |
| Evening Standard British Film Awards | 2008 | Atonement, Becoming Jane | Best Actor | Nominated |
| Fright Meter Awards | 2017 | Split | Best Actor | Won |
| Gold Derby Awards | 2008 | Atonement | Best Actor | Nominated |
| 2008 | Atonement | Best Ensemble Cast | Nominated | |
| Golden Globes Awards | 2008 | Atonement | Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama | Nominated |
| IGN Award | 2011 | X-Men: First Class | Best Ensemble Cast | Nominated |
| International Online Cinema Awards | 2008 | Atonement | Best Actor | Nominated |
| 2017 | Split | Best Actor | Nominated | |
| Irish Film & Television Academy | 2008 | Atonement | Best International Actor | Nominated |
| Kids’ Choice Awards | 2017 | X-Men: Apocalypse | #Squad | Nominated |
| London Critics Circle Film Awards | 2005 | Inside I’m Dancing | British Actor of the Year | Nominated |
| 2006 | The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe | British Supporting Actor of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2007 | The Last King of Scotland | British Actor of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2008 | Atonement | British Actor of the Year | Won | |
| 2014 | Filth, Trance, Welcome to the Punch | British Actor of the Year | Won | |
| MTV Movie & TV Awards | 2009 | Wanted | Best Kiss (with Angelina Jolie) | Nominated |
| 2017 | Split | Best Actor in a Movie | Nominated | |
| National Movie Awards | 2008 | Wanted | Best Performance – Male | Nominated |
| North Texas Film Critics Association | 2018 | Split | Best Actor | Nominated |
| OFTA Awards | 2008 | Atonement | Best Actor | Nominated |
| People’s Choice Awards | 2012 | X-Men: First Class | Favorite Movie Superhero | Nominated |
| Phoenix Film Critics Society | 2017 | Split | Best Actor in a Leading Role | Nominated |
| San Diego Film Critics Society | 2017 | Split | Best Male Actor | Won |
| Santa Barbara International Film Festival | 2008 | Atonement | Virtuoso Award | Won |
| Satellite Awards | 2009 | The Last Station | Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture | Nominated |
| Scream Awards | 2011 | X-Men: First Class | Best Fantasy Actor | Nominated |
| 2011 | X-Men: First Class | Best Superhero | Nominated | |
| Seattle Film Critics Society | 2017 | Split | Best Villain | Won |
| Teen Choice Awards | 2017 | Split | Choice Movie: Villain | Nominated |
| Women Film Critics Circle | 2011 | Gnomeo & Juliet | Best Screen Couple |
James McAvoy Favorites
- Favorite Movies – The Goonies (1985), Kes (1969), My Name Is Joe (1998), Back to the Future (1985), The Great Escape (1963), Brief Encounter (1945)
- Favorite Director – Ken Loach
- Favorite Art Gallery – The Tate Modern, London
- Favorite Book – The Old Testament
James McAvoy Net Worth
McAvoy has accumulated an impressive amount of wealth over the years from his acting career. He has a net worth of $20 million dollars.
Social Media Profiles
- Instagram – jamesmcavoyrealdeal
Some Lesser Known Facts About James McAvoy
- When he was 7, his parents split. Since then, he is not in touch with his dad.
- James’ mom used to have poor health conditions when James was young, so he shifted to his maternal grandparents home.
- While studying, he used to work at a local bakery.
- James once thought of becoming a priest just because he wanted to travel the world.
- He started acting at the age of 15 via The Near Room (1995).
- In order to raise money for a charitable organization, he did a BASE jump from the world’s tallest building of a hospital.
- McAvoy and his sisters was raised by his single mother and maternal grandparents.
- He worked at a local bakery while studying in school.
- He moved to London when he was 20. His acting debut came when he was 15 in The Near Room.
- Though, he was not interested in acting initially, he developed an interest for it lately and joined the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama to study acting.
- In 2008, he was ranked #18 on Entertainment Weekly’s ’30 Under 30′ the actors list.
- His fans call themselves as “McAvoyeurs”.
- McAvoy had once said that the script for Atonement was the best he had ever read. For his work in the film, he won him an Empire Award and a London Film Critics Circle Award, for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor respectively.
- His first car was a Citroen C3 Picasso.
- He is an avid fan of Celtic Football Club.
- McAvoy is known for his charity works. He jumped off the roof of the world’s tallest hospital to raise awareness and money for a Ugandan children’s charity.
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