Michael Sheen
Birthday:
5 February 1969, Newport, Gwent, Wales, UK
Birth Name:
Michael Christopher Sheen
Height:
178 cm
Even though he had burned up the London stage for nearly a decade--and appeared in several films--Michael Sheen was not really "discovered" by American audiences until his critically-acclaimed turn as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the 1999 Broadway revival of "Amadeus".Sheen was born in Newport, Wales, the only son of Irene (Thomas...
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Even though he had burned up the London stage for nearly a decade--and appeared in several films--Michael Sheen was not really "discovered" by American audiences until his critically-acclaimed turn as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the 1999 Broadway revival of "Amadeus".Sheen was born in Newport, Wales, the only son of Irene (Thomas) and Meyrick Sheen. The charming, curly-haired actor grew up a middle-class boy in the working-class town of Port Talbot, Wales. Although his parents worked in personnel, they shared with their son a deep appreciation for acting, with Meyrick Sheen enjoying some success later in life as a Jack Nicholson impersonator.As a young man, Michael Sheen turned down the opportunity to pursue a possible professional football career, opting to follow in the footsteps of Daniel Day-Lewis and Patrick Stewart by attending the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School instead of university. In his second year, he won the coveted Laurence Olivier Bursary for consistently outstanding performances. While Sheen was still studying, he landed a pivotal role opposite stage legend Vanessa Redgrave in Martin Sherman's "When She Danced" (1991). He left school early to make his West End debut and has been dazzling audiences and critics with his intense and passionate performances ever since. Among his most memorable roles were "Romeo" in "Romeo and Juliet", the title role in Yukio Ninagawa's 1994 Royal Shakespeare Company's staging of "Peer Gynt" and "Jimmy Porter" both in a 1994 regional staging in a 1999 London revival of "Look Back in Anger". A critic from the London Times panned the multimedia production of "Peer Gynt", but praised Sheen for his ability to express "astonishing vitality despite lifeless direction". Referring to Sheen's performance in "Look Back in Anger", Susannah Clapp of The Observer hailed him for his "luminous quality" and ability to be goaded and fiery and defensive all at the same time. Sheen also managed to set critics' tongues wagging with a deft performance in the role of "Henry V", not a part traditionally given to a slight, boyish-looking actor. One writer raved: "Sheen, volatile and responsive in an excellent performance, showed us the exhilaration of power and conquest".In 1993, Sheen joined the troupe "Cheek By Jowl" and was nominated for the Ian Charleson Award for his performance in "Don't Fool with Love". That same year, he excelled as a mentally unstable man who becomes enmeshed in a kidnapping plot in Gallowglass (1993), a three-part BBC serial that aired in the USA on PBS' "Mystery!" in 1995. The actor nabbed his first feature film role in 1994, playing Dr. Jekyll's footman in Mary Reilly (1996) opposite John Malkovich and Julia Roberts, but that film did not make it into theaters until 1996, a year after Sheen's second movie, Othello (1995), was filmed and released. Perhaps his most memorable big screen role at that point, however, was "Robert Ross", Oscar Wilde's erstwhile lover, in the 1997 biopic Wilde (1997). He would also be seen in the Brit road film Heartlands (2002) opposite Mark Addy.Hot off the success of "Amadeus", Sheen began racking up even more notable big screen credits, starring opposite Heath Ledger, Wes Bentley and Kate Hudson in The Four Feathers (2002) and landing a major role opposite Kate Beckinsale in the action-horror blockbuster Underworld (2003), along with supporting turns in Bright Young Things (2003), Timeline (2003) and as British Prime Minister Tony Blair in director Stephen Frears' film The Queen (2006). Next, Sheen grabbed good notices played a divorce-embattled rock star, stealing scenes from Pierce Brosnan and Julianne Moore in the romantic comedy Laws of Attraction (2004).Back on the stage, the actor earned raves for his performance as "Caligula" in London, for which he won the Evening Standard Award and Critics Circle Award for Best Actor, along with a nomination for the prestigious Laurence Olivier Award. Show less «
It's interesting that in searching for monsters to play you often end up playing leaders.
It's interesting that in searching for monsters to play you often end up playing leaders.
[on playing "Castor" in Tron (2010)] I wanted him to be like a sort of popular-culture jukebox program and, then underneath it all, there's ...Show more »
[on playing "Castor" in Tron (2010)] I wanted him to be like a sort of popular-culture jukebox program and, then underneath it all, there's something completely psychotic going on. Show less «
Having played a lot of characters that are dangerously close to caricature, there's something I've always found, and that is: everything you...Show more »
Having played a lot of characters that are dangerously close to caricature, there's something I've always found, and that is: everything you do has to be connected to the source of what the character really is. Show less «
My job takes me away from my daughter Lily a lot, so when I am with her the time is precious. When I'm filming I try to speak to her every d...Show more »
My job takes me away from my daughter Lily a lot, so when I am with her the time is precious. When I'm filming I try to speak to her every day and let her know that I'm thinking of her and hopefully stay a presence in her life. I want Lily to have a parent who is enjoying and is passionate about their work but at the same time I don't want it to be something that takes me away from her too much. Show less «
I do think there's a kind of a dark energy in Port Talbot. It's dominated by the steelworks, where there's this fire that's pumping out ener...Show more »
I do think there's a kind of a dark energy in Port Talbot. It's dominated by the steelworks, where there's this fire that's pumping out energy every day, and I think that is a good symbol for a kind of restless, fiery energy. Show less «
I'm definitely passionate and obsessed, and maybe that is a result of where I grew up. There was a real anger to south Wales in the 1970s an...Show more »
I'm definitely passionate and obsessed, and maybe that is a result of where I grew up. There was a real anger to south Wales in the 1970s and '80s when industries were dismantled and people's livelihoods were being messed up. There was a lot of unemployment and depression. I look at actors like Burton and Hopkins, and what they have in common is a dark anger that comes out in their acting. They're at their best when they're letting all that anger go. I can also see that in me. Show less «
There's a great deal to be said about talent and inspiration but hard work is the most important in terms of being able to do anything well.
There's a great deal to be said about talent and inspiration but hard work is the most important in terms of being able to do anything well.
My tragedy is that all I want is a dog, and yet I have been cursed with cats all my life.
My tragedy is that all I want is a dog, and yet I have been cursed with cats all my life.
Getting older is a struggle. I always feel that just under the surface of acceptance and enjoyment of the aging process is a terrible hyster...Show more »
Getting older is a struggle. I always feel that just under the surface of acceptance and enjoyment of the aging process is a terrible hysteria just waiting to burst out. Show less «
On the one hand Twitter gives you the opportunity to engage with people, which is great, but on the other there are people who feel they can...Show more »
On the one hand Twitter gives you the opportunity to engage with people, which is great, but on the other there are people who feel they can say whatever they want, put poison out there, really, without fear of any repercussions. Show less «
'Hamlet' is one of the most dangerous things ever set down on paper. All the big, unknowable questions like what it is to be a human being; ...Show more »
'Hamlet' is one of the most dangerous things ever set down on paper. All the big, unknowable questions like what it is to be a human being; the difference between sanity and insanity; the meaning of life and death; what's real and not real. All these subjects can literally drive you mad. Show less «
I am very impatient.
I am very impatient.
I love watching Jeff Bridges act. He's brilliant.
I love watching Jeff Bridges act. He's brilliant.
Part of the fun of life is interacting with people and not knowing what the truth is inside. Letting them reveal that to you is what binds y...Show more »
Part of the fun of life is interacting with people and not knowing what the truth is inside. Letting them reveal that to you is what binds you to people. Show less «
I think parenthood is a wonderful balancing act. On the one hand, you want to spend as much time with your children as possible. On the othe...Show more »
I think parenthood is a wonderful balancing act. On the one hand, you want to spend as much time with your children as possible. On the other hand, you want to set an example for them to see that you're fulfilled in your life and in your work. Show less «
I think the story of 'Alice in Wonderland' in a way is a reminder that life is frightening, it can shift on you at any moment.
I think the story of 'Alice in Wonderland' in a way is a reminder that life is frightening, it can shift on you at any moment.
Hopefully, any character I play has an anchor in reality.
Hopefully, any character I play has an anchor in reality.
By the time you are 30 you are still trying to make your 15-year-old self happy but you are a different person. You need to be brave and let...Show more »
By the time you are 30 you are still trying to make your 15-year-old self happy but you are a different person. You need to be brave and let go of that. Show less «
A parent can seem very kind and gentle, but as any child knows, as soon as that parent gets stressed, they can suddenly turn and get a bit a...Show more »
A parent can seem very kind and gentle, but as any child knows, as soon as that parent gets stressed, they can suddenly turn and get a bit angry. Show less «
My taste in watching things runs from dramas and low-budget films to high-end fantasy/science fiction.
My taste in watching things runs from dramas and low-budget films to high-end fantasy/science fiction.
I always say if I'm not good at something it's just because I've not had time to focus on it... it's just uncrafted, like a slab of rock tha...Show more »
I always say if I'm not good at something it's just because I've not had time to focus on it... it's just uncrafted, like a slab of rock that contains the statue of David within it. Show less «
For a culture that has such a problem with death, we seem to deal with it in a quite bizarre way. We see people shot, killed and blown up, a...Show more »
For a culture that has such a problem with death, we seem to deal with it in a quite bizarre way. We see people shot, killed and blown up, and we find it funny and sexy and all those things. But, the reality of it is that every day people die, and people are really sad and they grieve and they go through a really difficult process with it. Show less «
I think a good story's a good story and a good character's a good character.
I think a good story's a good story and a good character's a good character.
A lot of children are interested in fairies, especially young girls, and Tinker Bell is the ueber-fairy. She's the pin-up girl of fairies. S...Show more »
A lot of children are interested in fairies, especially young girls, and Tinker Bell is the ueber-fairy. She's the pin-up girl of fairies. She's the ultimate fairy, but she's also got a mischievous spirit and she's very strong-willed. I think a lot of youngsters recognize themselves in Tinker Bell. Show less «
Acting itself is quite scary. Some people say that actors are show-offs, very egotistical and all that kind of stuff, but it is quite scary.
Acting itself is quite scary. Some people say that actors are show-offs, very egotistical and all that kind of stuff, but it is quite scary.
My chief gifts are - naturally good at all sports with a raw talent for pretty much everything, which if nurtured could develop into imprope...Show more »
My chief gifts are - naturally good at all sports with a raw talent for pretty much everything, which if nurtured could develop into improper talent. Show less «
As a general thing, I've always been drawn to characters who appear to be one thing on the surface, but are actually something else undernea...Show more »
As a general thing, I've always been drawn to characters who appear to be one thing on the surface, but are actually something else underneath. Show less «
I suppose I'm something of an eccentric dresser.
I suppose I'm something of an eccentric dresser.
I enjoy doing things that involve research because it's part of what I enjoy about acting.
I enjoy doing things that involve research because it's part of what I enjoy about acting.
I was obsessed with football when I was growing up.
I was obsessed with football when I was growing up.
I perceive and relate to the world through where I grew up; that's part of me. It's what I judge everything else against.
I perceive and relate to the world through where I grew up; that's part of me. It's what I judge everything else against.
If someone has an ability to impress an audience there's a tendency to be tempted into doing just that.
If someone has an ability to impress an audience there's a tendency to be tempted into doing just that.
Everyone deserves compassion.
Everyone deserves compassion.
I would like to be taller, thinner and more rakish looking.
I would like to be taller, thinner and more rakish looking.
I think I'm becoming more relaxed in front of a camera. I suppose I'll always feel slightly more at home on stage. It's more of an actor's m...Show more »
I think I'm becoming more relaxed in front of a camera. I suppose I'll always feel slightly more at home on stage. It's more of an actor's medium. You are your own editor, nobody else is choosing what is being seen of you. Show less «
I find increasingly that the more extreme are the things going on in your life, the more cultural reference points fail you. More mythical r...Show more »
I find increasingly that the more extreme are the things going on in your life, the more cultural reference points fail you. More mythical reference points actually help, and you realize that's what myths are for. It's for human beings to process their experience in extremis. Show less «
I'm not a Tony Blair impersonator.
I'm not a Tony Blair impersonator.
I cry when I feel moved by incredible generosity or a connection to someone. We spend so much of our lives being separated. It's the relief ...Show more »
I cry when I feel moved by incredible generosity or a connection to someone. We spend so much of our lives being separated. It's the relief of connection that produces the tears. Show less «
I think it's quite tough for people like Tom Cruise where you can never really get away from being Tom Cruise in something. You're so famili...Show more »
I think it's quite tough for people like Tom Cruise where you can never really get away from being Tom Cruise in something. You're so familiar to people and people know so much about your life. Show less «
When I was at drama school, I wanted to change the world, and thought I had some great wisdom to impart to people about humanity. Now that I...Show more »
When I was at drama school, I wanted to change the world, and thought I had some great wisdom to impart to people about humanity. Now that I'm older, I know enough to realize that I know nothing at all. Show less «
If you can define what God is, I can tell you whether I believe in it.
If you can define what God is, I can tell you whether I believe in it.
I think the best acting is when you allow yourself to be kind of vulnerable in the moment.
I think the best acting is when you allow yourself to be kind of vulnerable in the moment.
I have a daughter, and fairies meant a lot to her growing up.
I have a daughter, and fairies meant a lot to her growing up.
You know, we're each the hero of our own story and we perceive what's going on around us, and especially in a relationship, from the kind of...Show more »
You know, we're each the hero of our own story and we perceive what's going on around us, and especially in a relationship, from the kind of viewpoint of, 'Well, this is my story, and I'm the hero of that, and I justify what I do around it.' Show less «
For me, what makes life enjoyable is having a shared culture and shared references.
For me, what makes life enjoyable is having a shared culture and shared references.
I've always loved animation and animated films.
I've always loved animation and animated films.
When you look at all the miracles attributed to Jesus, they're all about change.
When you look at all the miracles attributed to Jesus, they're all about change.
I can be a lazy dresser.
I can be a lazy dresser.
The secret to acting is don't act. Be you, with add-ons.
The secret to acting is don't act. Be you, with add-ons.
Although my family - parents and sister - all work in the personnel management business, their real passion is performing, amateur operatic ...Show more »
Although my family - parents and sister - all work in the personnel management business, their real passion is performing, amateur operatic societies and so on. Show less «
I've always had an eye for what looks good on a man. But I've not always found it easy to find clothes that look good on me.
I've always had an eye for what looks good on a man. But I've not always found it easy to find clothes that look good on me.
I try not to pay any attention to clothes fascism and I'd rather be thought of as someone who has his own sense of style.
I try not to pay any attention to clothes fascism and I'd rather be thought of as someone who has his own sense of style.
I don't want to do something that I've done before; I can't see the point of it.
I don't want to do something that I've done before; I can't see the point of it.
There are times in my career where I can see it would be helped by having a bit more of a profile, but it's not like I refuse to do intervie...Show more »
There are times in my career where I can see it would be helped by having a bit more of a profile, but it's not like I refuse to do interviews, no, not at all. Show less «
Stories have always been the things that entertain me and make me feel happy and sad and move me and give me the experience of being able to...Show more »
Stories have always been the things that entertain me and make me feel happy and sad and move me and give me the experience of being able to live many lives in one lifetime. It's the best thing about being alive. Show less «
In some ways any film that you do has an artificiality about it. Even when you're doing the most kitchen-sinky, gritty, realistic scene you'...Show more »
In some ways any film that you do has an artificiality about it. Even when you're doing the most kitchen-sinky, gritty, realistic scene you've still got 50 people standing around watching you with cameras and lights and things. Show less «
My rule of thumb is that I want to do things I'd like to go and see myself.
My rule of thumb is that I want to do things I'd like to go and see myself.
I am prone to get carried away thinking about creative projects.
I am prone to get carried away thinking about creative projects.
I suppose I've got a reputation for playing quite extreme characters and making them quite believable.
I suppose I've got a reputation for playing quite extreme characters and making them quite believable.
A lot of the times when I've auditioned for parts in America, the answer is, 'Sorry, we need a bigger name.'
A lot of the times when I've auditioned for parts in America, the answer is, 'Sorry, we need a bigger name.'
Normal people - i.e., people who aren't actors - are the most bizarre people you can ever come across. I'll talk to someone and come away th...Show more »
Normal people - i.e., people who aren't actors - are the most bizarre people you can ever come across. I'll talk to someone and come away thinking, 'They are clinically insane.' Show less «
I've never met anyone normal.
I've never met anyone normal.
I don't do the whole L.A. nightlife thing.
I don't do the whole L.A. nightlife thing.
The first thing, when I read the script, is that I need to care about what happens and feel compelled by the story and engaged by the charac...Show more »
The first thing, when I read the script, is that I need to care about what happens and feel compelled by the story and engaged by the characters. It needs to resonate with me, even if what the characters are going through is not something that I have experienced in my life. I have to feel like it has some sort of meaning to me. Show less «
My dad is a Jack Nicholson lookalike and a frustrated performer, my mother's into reading and poetry. I suppose the thing I owe them most is...Show more »
My dad is a Jack Nicholson lookalike and a frustrated performer, my mother's into reading and poetry. I suppose the thing I owe them most is my confidence. Show less «
I'm happy in my life.
I'm happy in my life.
We see death constantly on film.
We see death constantly on film.
I'd love to go back to Europe in the '20s and '30s, for the beginning of the Psychoanalytic Movement, and Freud and Jung, and all that was g...Show more »
I'd love to go back to Europe in the '20s and '30s, for the beginning of the Psychoanalytic Movement, and Freud and Jung, and all that was going on with discoveries in quantum physics. The whole nature of reality was changing and being challenged. Show less «
I've always found it hard to say sorry.
I've always found it hard to say sorry.
I have a terrible temper. I have absolutely no problem with getting shouty or a bit physical. It's not something I'm pleased about and it do...Show more »
I have a terrible temper. I have absolutely no problem with getting shouty or a bit physical. It's not something I'm pleased about and it doesn't happen very often, but it's very much there. Show less «
I'd love to go back to Greek times and see the birth of theater and performing, in that time. It would be so extraordinary to see the need t...Show more »
I'd love to go back to Greek times and see the birth of theater and performing, in that time. It would be so extraordinary to see the need that theater came out of, in the first place. I think we could probably all learn a bit from that. Show less «
I would never use prosthetics. I don't like sticking things on. I don't really like wearing wigs, either.
I would never use prosthetics. I don't like sticking things on. I don't really like wearing wigs, either.
While I enjoy spending time in L.A., Britain is my home.
While I enjoy spending time in L.A., Britain is my home.
I'm a huge fan of science fiction and fantasy - not so much horror because I get a bit scared.
I'm a huge fan of science fiction and fantasy - not so much horror because I get a bit scared.
When I'm in America, I like to be near the sea, listen to music, watch films, read and write.
When I'm in America, I like to be near the sea, listen to music, watch films, read and write.
I'm always aware that there are, broadly speaking, two different ways to act: there is acting, and then there's being, and I'm always more i...Show more »
I'm always aware that there are, broadly speaking, two different ways to act: there is acting, and then there's being, and I'm always more interested in that. Show less «
Americans are much more open than people in Britain.
Americans are much more open than people in Britain.
I think when you work on a Woody Allen film the actors become a real company, probably more than on any other film.
I think when you work on a Woody Allen film the actors become a real company, probably more than on any other film.
Sometimes you see things in a script, and it doesn't necessarily mean the director sees the same things. And if you think you're going to be...Show more »
Sometimes you see things in a script, and it doesn't necessarily mean the director sees the same things. And if you think you're going to be making a different film, then that's not gonna work. Show less «
I think being a parent is the most challenging thing you do. That's why we're here. It's at the heart of what it is to be a human being. It'...Show more »
I think being a parent is the most challenging thing you do. That's why we're here. It's at the heart of what it is to be a human being. It's the ultimate experience because it questions everything about who you are. But it's difficult. Show less «
I'm a big fan of vampire movies generally and that sort of tradition of characters.
I'm a big fan of vampire movies generally and that sort of tradition of characters.
My own daughter is a big fan of the 'Twilight' stories, the books.
My own daughter is a big fan of the 'Twilight' stories, the books.
I live a very Kenneth Williams-like existence.
I live a very Kenneth Williams-like existence.
I don't find the life in Hollywood all that meaningful or inspiring.
I don't find the life in Hollywood all that meaningful or inspiring.
On ex Kate Beckinsale: Our relationship now is probably better than it ever was. And it helps that she actually likes Sarah (Sarah Silverman...Show more »
On ex Kate Beckinsale: Our relationship now is probably better than it ever was. And it helps that she actually likes Sarah (Sarah Silverman) more than she likes me. Show less «
It's weird that I've ended up playing so many real live people, because I was never any good at impersonations at school.
It's weird that I've ended up playing so many real live people, because I was never any good at impersonations at school.
I'm not a Christian.
I'm not a Christian.
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Dr. Slavkin O'Hara
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