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Joel Edgerton
Joel Edgerton in 2017.jpg
Edgerton in 2017
Born (1974-06-23) 23 June 1974 (age 49)
Alma mater University of Western Sydney
Occupation
  • Actor
  • filmmaker
Years active 1995–present
Partner(s) Christine Centenera
(2018–present)
Children 2
Relatives Nash Edgerton (brother)

Joel Edgerton (born 23 June 1974) is an Australian actor and filmmaker. He is known for his portrayal of Will McGill on the first two seasons of the Australian drama series The Secret Life of Us (2001–02), and for playing Owen Lars in the Star Wars films Attack of the Clones (2002) and Revenge of the Sith (2005); a role he reprised in the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022). For his portrayal of Richard Loving in the 2016 historical drama Loving, he received a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture.

In Australia, Edgerton won the AACTA Award for Best Lead Actor for his work on The Secret Life of Us. He has appeared in several Australian films, such as The Square (2008), Animal Kingdom (2010; for which he received the AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actor), Wish You Were Here (2012), and Felony (2013). Edgerton's other film appearances include King Arthur (2004), Warrior (2011), Zero Dark Thirty (2012), The Great Gatsby (2013), Black Mass (2015), Bright (2017), Red Sparrow (2018), The Green Knight (2021), The Stranger, Thirteen Lives, and Master Gardener (all 2022). In 2021, he starred in the Amazon Prime miniseries The Underground Railroad.

For his work on The Gift (2015), a thriller he wrote, directed, co-produced, and in which he co-starred, Edgerton received critical acclaim and a nomination for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directing. In 2018, he wrote, directed and co-starred in the conversion therapy drama Boy Erased. The following year's The King, which he co-wrote and starred in, was released by Netflix.

Early life

Edgerton was born in Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia the son of Michael, a solicitor and property developer, and Marianne (née van Dort) Edgerton. His mother is a Dutch immigrant, who was born in The Hague. He graduated from The Hills Grammar School in 1991. He attended the Nepean Drama School at the University of Western Sydney, before moving on to various stage productions, including at Sydney Theatre Company.

Career

Joel Edgerton 2013
Edgerton at the Sydney premiere of The Great Gatsby, May 2013

Edgerton has appeared in such films as Erskineville Kings, King Arthur and Ned Kelly. In the Star Wars franchise, he played a young Owen Lars in Attack of the Clones (2002) and Revenge of the Sith (2005) and reprised the role in the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi. He played Will on The Secret Life of Us, for which he won an AACTA Award in 2002. In 2005, he lent his voice to the title character of The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello, an Academy Award-nominated animated short film. The same year, he appeared as the son of a deceased shoemaker in the British comedy Kinky Boots. He appeared in Smokin' Aces (2006).

Edgerton appeared in the film Whisper (2007), The Square (which he co-wrote and was directed by his brother Nash Edgerton), Acolytes, and Separation City. In 2009, he starred alongside as Stanley in the Sydney Theatre Company's acclaimed production of A Streetcar Named Desire. He appeared in a production of the same play at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in December 2009. He appeared in the crime drama film Animal Kingdom as Barry Baz Brown in 2010 in which he won an AFI award. He starred as fictional MMA fighter Brendan Conlon in the film Warrior (2011).

In February 2010, Edgerton was cast in Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.'s 2011 prequel to The Thing, portraying helicopter pilot Sam Carter. He played Tom Buchanan in Baz Luhrmann's 2013 remake of The Great Gatsby. He was honoured for his work in international roles with the 2011 Australians in Film Breakthrough Award.

In 2013, it was revealed that Edgerton and David Michôd had collaborated on writing an adaptation of Shakespeare's "Henriad" plays, Henry IV, Part 1, Henry IV, Part 2 and Henry V, for Warner Bros. Pictures.

In 2014, Edgerton starred in the biblical film Exodus: Gods and Kings, as Ramesses II, Moses' adoptive brother, who became a notorious king. Edgerton directed, starred in, wrote, and produced the thriller The Gift, which was released on 7 August 2015 and grossed 60 million with a budget of 5 million. He co-starred in the 2015 film Black Mass as John Connolly, FBI contact and childhood friend of notorious gangster Whitey Bulger.

In 2016, he starred in the Jeff Nichols films Midnight Special and Loving, and in 2017, he starred in the film Bright as Officer Nick Jacoby, an orc who is a police officer. He will reprise the character in the sequel along with Will Smith, directed by Louis Leterrier for Netflix.

In 2018, Edgerton headlined Francis Lawrence's thriller film Red Sparrow with Jennifer Lawrence, and based on the book by Jason Matthews. He plays Nathaniel Nash, a CIA agent who becomes involved with a Russian spy Dominika Egorova (Lawrence). In February 2018, Timothée Chalamet joined the cast of The King, with Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, and Jeremy Kleiner producing, alongside Liz Watts, under their Plan B Entertainment banner. In March 2018, Edgerton joined the cast of the film.

In April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, it was announced that a new film, The Unknown Man, will begin filming in South Australia as soon as enough of the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Directed by Thomas M. Wright, it will also star Sean Harris. In September 2020, Edgerton was tapped to star in and executive produce limited series The Florida Man based on a novel of the same name by Tom Cooper.

In 2021, Edgerton starred in the medieval fantasy film The Green Knight written and directed by David Lowery.

Philanthropy

Edgerton has been a distinguished ambassador for The Fred Hollows Foundation for a number of years and has strong personal ties to the organisation, which works to restore people's sight in poor countries and to improve the health of Aboriginal Australians. In 2012, he visited Nepal, where he saw sight restored first hand. He has described social activism and his involvement with The Fred Hollows Foundation as "an escape" from the "materialistic life" that often surrounds an actor. The Fred Hollows Foundation is an international non-profit organization which educates and provides equipment for undersupported surgeons to help cure avoidable blindness.

Personal life

Edgerton's brother, Nash, is a stuntman and filmmaker. Both he and his brother are a part of the Australian film collective Blue-Tongue Films. Nash directed Joel in 2018's Gringo.

In 2018, Edgerton began a relationship with Christine Centenera, fashion director of Vogue Australia. They have known each other since the late 1990s. Their twins were born in May 2021.

Filmography

Acting roles

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1996 Loaded Frog Short film
Race the Sun Steve Fryman
1998 Praise Leo
Bloodlock Danny Short film
1999 Dogwatch Sparrow
Erskineville Kings Wayne
2000 Sample People Sem
2001 Pitch, TheThe Pitch Guy Short film; also writer
Saturn's Return Barney Short film
2002 Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones Owen Lars
Hard Word, TheThe Hard Word Shane
2003 Night We Called It a Day, TheThe Night We Called It a Day Rod Blue
Ned Kelly Aaron Sherritt
2004 King Arthur Gawain
2005 Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello, TheThe Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello Jasper Morello Voice role
Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith Owen Lars
Kinky Boots Charlie Price
2006 Smokin' Aces Hugo Croop
Open Window Peter Delaney
2007 Crossbow The Dad Short film
Spider Paramedic Short film
Whisper Vince Delayo
2008 Square, TheThe Square Billy Also writer & producer
Acolytes Ian Wright
$9.99 Ron Voice role
2009 Separation City Simon Nicholson
Waiting City, TheThe Waiting City Ben Simmons
2010 Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole Metal Beak Voice role
Animal Kingdom Barry "Baz" Brown
2011 Warrior Brendan Conlon
Thing, TheThe Thing Sam Carter
2012 Wish You Were Here Dave Flannery
Odd Life of Timothy Green, TheThe Odd Life of Timothy Green Jim Green
Zero Dark Thirty Patrick Grayston
2013 Great Gatsby, TheThe Great Gatsby Tom Buchanan
Felony Malcolm "Mal" Toohey Also writer & producer
2014 Exodus: Gods and Kings Ramesses II
2015 Life John G. Morris
The Gift Gordon "Gordo" Moseley Also writer & producer
Black Mass John Connolly
Jane Got a Gun Dan Frost Also writer
2016 Midnight Special Lucas
Loving Richard Loving
2017 It Comes at Night Paul
Bright Nick Jakoby
2018 Red Sparrow Nathaniel "Nate" Nash
Gringo Richard Rusk
Boy Erased Victor Sykes Also writer & producer
2019 The King Sir John Falstaff Also writer & producer
2021 The Green Knight The Lord
2022 The Stranger Mark Also producer
Thirteen Lives Richard Harris
Master Gardener Narvel Roth
2023 The Boys in the Boat Films that have not yet been released Al Ulbrickson Post-production
Key
Films that have not yet been released Denotes films that have not yet been released

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1995 Police Rescue Andy Episode: "Wild Card"
1995–1997 Spellbinder Bazza 2 episodes
1996–1999 Water Rats Pete Crosby / Aaron Lawrence 2 episodes
1997 Big Sky Pierce Bateman Episode: "Lost and Found"
Fallen Angels Scoob Episode: "The Faust Lane"
1998 Wildside Michael Savini Episode: "#1.15"
1999 Secret Men's Business Baz Television film
2000 The Three Stooges Tom Cosgrove Television film
2001–2002 Secret Life of Us, TheThe Secret Life of Us William "Will" McGill Main role, 32 episodes
2002 Dossa and Joe Robbo 2 episodes
2007 Dangerous Senior Sergeant Mark Field Main role, 8 episodes
2009 Dirt Game Shane Bevic Main role, 6 episodes
2021 The Underground Railroad Arnold Ridgeway Miniseries, 7 episodes
2022 Obi-Wan Kenobi Owen Lars Miniseries, 2 episodes
0TBA Dark Matter Jason Dessen Main role, upcoming series

Filmmaking credits

Short film

Year Title Writer Producer
1996 Loaded No Yes
1998 Bloodlock Yes Yes
2001 Pitch, TheThe Pitch Yes No

Feature film

Year Title Director Writer Producer
2008 Square, TheThe Square No Yes Executive
2013 Felony No Yes Yes
2014 The Rover No Yes No
2015 The Gift Yes Yes Yes
Jane Got a Gun No Yes No
2017 It Comes at Night No No Executive
2018 Boy Erased Yes Yes Yes
2019 The King No Yes Yes
2022 The Unknown Man No No Yes
0TBA Wizards! No Story No

Stage

Year Title Role Production company
1995 Blackrock Toby Sydney Theatre Company
1996 Dead White Males
1997 Third World Blues Graham
1998 Henry IV Prince Hal Bell Shakespeare
Love for Love Valentine Sydney Theatre Company
1999 Henry V King Henry V Bell Shakespeare
2007 The Pillowman Katurian Melbourne Theatre Company
2009 A Streetcar Named Desire Stanley Kowalski Sydney Theatre Company

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Subject Result
2000 AACTA Awards Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama The Secret Life of Us Nominated
2002 AACTA Awards Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama Won
Logie Awards Most Outstanding Actor Nominated
AACTA Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role Hard Word, TheThe Hard Word Nominated
Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards Best Supporting Actor Nominated
2003 Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards Best Supporting Actor Ned Kelly Nominated
2008 AACTA Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role Square, TheThe Square Nominated
AACTA Awards Best Original Screenplay (with Matthew Dabner) Nominated
2009 Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards Best Supporting Actor Nominated
Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards Best Original Screenplay (with Matthew Dabner) Won
2010 AACTA Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role Animal Kingdom Won
2011 Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards Best Supporting Actor Won
Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards Best Actor Waiting City, TheThe Waiting City Nominated
2012 MTV Movie & TV Awards Best Fight (with Tom Hardy) Warrior Nominated
2013 AACTA Awards Best Actor in a Leading Role Wish You Were Here Nominated
Australian Film Critics Association Awards Best Actor Won
Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards Best Actor Won
2014 AACTA International Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role Great Gatsby, TheThe Great Gatsby Nominated
AACTA Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role Nominated
Australian Film Critics Association Awards Best Supporting Actor Nominated
Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards Best Supporting Actor Won
2015 Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards Best Actor Felony Nominated
Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards Best Original Screenplay Nominated
Hollywood Film Awards Breakthrough Actor Black Mass Won
2016 AACTA International Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role Nominated
Santa Barbara International Film Festival Virtuosos Award Won
Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Feature Film The Gift Nominated
Austin Film Critics Association Best Actor Loving Nominated
Boston Society of Film Critics Best Actor Nominated
Critics' Choice Movie Awards Best Actor Nominated
Chicago Film Critics Association Best Actor Nominated
Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Best Actor Nominated
Detroit Film Critics Society Best Actor Nominated
Florida Film Critics Circle Best Actor Nominated
Gotham Awards Best Actor Nominated
Indiewire Critics' Poll Best Actor 6th place
San Diego Film Critics Society Best Actor Nominated
San Francisco Film Critics Circle Best Actor Nominated
Satellite Awards Best Actor – Motion Picture Nominated
St. Louis Film Critics Association Best Actor Nominated
Utah Film Critics Association Best Actor Nominated
Village Voice Film Poll Best Lead Performance 6th place
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Best Actor Nominated
Women Film Critics Circle Best Actor Nominated
2017 Golden Globe Awards Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama Nominated
AACTA International Awards Best Actor Nominated
Alliance of Women Film Journalists Best Actor Nominated
North Carolina Film Critics Association Best Actor Nominated
2018 AACTA Awards Best Film Boy Erased Nominated
Best Direction Nominated
Best Adapted Screenplay Won
Best Supporting Actor Nominated
Best International Supporting Actor Nominated
2019 AACTA Awards Best Film The King Nominated
Best Screenplay Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Won
Best International Film Nominated

See also

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