Biographies

David Thewlis: Biography, Success Story, Facts

David Thewlis
David Thewlis

David Thewlis’s biography is a fascinating look into the life story of a man whose talents stretch beyond the screen. From humble beginnings in Blackpool to becoming an internationally recognized actor and filmmaker, Thewlis’s success story is filled with unexpected twists. His breakthrough performance in Naked earned him critical acclaim and cemented his place as one of the finest actors of his generation. His versatility, whether playing the beloved Professor Lupin in the Harry Potter series or a villainous role in Fargo, showcases a career rich in both depth and variety.

Biography Summary

David Thewlis, born David Wheeler on March 20, 1963, is an English actor and filmmaker widely recognized for his versatility in both film and television. Known for his work as a character actor, Thewlis has taken on roles across various genres. Throughout his career, he has received numerous accolades, including a Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor, as well as nominations for two BAFTA Awards, a Golden Globe Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Thewlis made his film debut in Little Dorrit (1987) and gained wider recognition for his lead roles in Mike Leigh’s films Life Is Sweet (1990) and Naked (1993), with the latter earning him the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor. His filmography spans a variety of notable roles, including appearances in Black Beauty (1994), Restoration (1995), James and the Giant Peach (1996), Dragonheart (1996), Seven Years in Tibet (1997), Gangster No. 1 (2001), and as Remus Lupin in the Harry Potter series (2004–2011). Other prominent film roles include Kingdom of Heaven (2005), The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008), War Horse (2011), The Theory of Everything (2014), Anomalisa (2015), Wonder Woman (2017), I’m Thinking of Ending Things (2020), and Enola Holmes 2 (2022).

On television, Thewlis’s standout roles include his portrayal of V. M. Varga in season three of FX’s Fargo (2017), the voice of the Shame Wizard in the Netflix animated series Big Mouth (2017–present) and Human Resources (2022–2023), Christopher Edwards in HBO’s miniseries Landscapers (2021), John Dee in Netflix’s The Sandman (2022), and Fagin in Disney+’s The Artful Dodger (2023). His work in Fargo earned him nominations for an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and a Critics’ Choice Award.

Early Life

David Thewlis was born David Wheeler on March 20, 1963, in Blackpool. He is the son of Maureen Thewlis and Alec Raymond Wheeler, who ran a toy and wallpaper shop. Thewlis grew up with two siblings, one older and one younger. During his teenage years, he played in a rock band called QED and later became the lead guitarist for a punk rock band named Door 66.1 He attended Highfield High School in the Marton area of Blackpool and later pursued acting at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, graduating in 1984.

Career

Acting

David Thewlis adopted his mother’s maiden name after discovering that his birth name, David Wheeler, was already registered with the actors’ union. His first professional role under his new name was in the play Buddy Holly at the Regal Theatre in Greenwich, followed by a commercial for Kellogg’s Bran Flakes. He went on to perform in various theater productions, including The Sea at the Royal National Theatre, Ice Cream at the Royal Court Theatre, and The Lady and the Clarinet at the King’s Head Theatre.

Thewlis started his television career with small roles in high-profile shows such as Only Fools and Horses in 1985 and The Singing Detective in 1986. His film debut came in 1987 with Little Dorrit, and he was soon cast in more significant roles, including Alan Clarke’s Road and the sitcom Valentine Park that same year.

His first leading film role came in Vroom (1988) alongside Clive Owen. He then made a notable performance in Paul Greengrass’s Resurrected (1989), portraying a soldier presumed dead. Thewlis gained wider recognition in 1993 with his breakout role in Naked, in which he played Johnny, a homeless and intellectual street philosopher. This role earned him several awards, including Best Actor honors from the National Society of Film Critics and the Cannes Film Festival.

During the 1990s, Thewlis appeared in films such as Restoration (1995), Black Beauty (1994), and Seven Years in Tibet (1997) with Brad Pitt. His other notable performances included Total Eclipse (1995) and The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996). In 1998, he was nominated for a British Independent Film Award for his role in Divorcing Jack.

When you do something well, this is the best job in the world.

David Thewlis

Thewlis auditioned for the role of Quirinus Quirrell in J.K. Rowling‘s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone but was later cast as Remus Lupin in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004). He reprised this role in four more films in the series, earning a place as a beloved figure in the franchise.

In the 2008 film The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, Thewlis portrayed a Nazi death camp commandant, a role that received critical acclaim. He also appeared in Kingdom of Heaven (2005) and The Omen (2006).

In 2011, Thewlis portrayed Dr. Michael Aris, the husband of Aung San Suu Kyi, in the biographical film The Lady. His performance in Fargo (2017) as V. M. Varga received critical acclaim and earned him several nominations, including for the Primetime Emmy, Golden Globe, and Critics’ Choice Awards.2

Thewlis has voiced the Shame Wizard in Netflix’s animated series Big Mouth (2017–present) and its spin-off Human Resources (2022–2023). His recent roles include performances in the Netflix film I’m Thinking of Ending Things (2020), the HBO miniseries Landscapers (2021), The Sandman (2022), and Enola Holmes 2 (2022). In 2023, he played Fagin in The Artful Dodger and will portray Hades in the upcoming series Kaos (2024).

Filmmaking

David Thewlis directed Hello, Hello, Hello in 1995, which earned him a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Short Film. He later wrote, directed, and starred in the feature film Cheeky (2003).

Writing

In 2007, Thewlis published his first novel, a black comedy set in the art world titled The Late Hector Kipling, through Simon & Schuster. His second book, Shooting Martha, was released in 2021 by Weidenfeld & Nicolson.

Upcoming Roles

Thewlis is set to appear in the film Littlemouth. Additionally, he will take on the role of Sherlock Holmes in the upcoming Sherlock & Daughter series for The CW.

Personal Life

David Thewlis was married to Welsh director and actress Sara Sugarman from 1992 to 1994. He then had a three-year relationship with English actress Kate Hardie.

From 2001 to late 2010, Thewlis was in a relationship with English actress Anna Friel.3 The couple has a daughter, Gracie, who was born on July 9, 2005.4

On August 5, 2016, Thewlis married French designer and artist Hermine Poitou. They currently reside in Sunningdale, Berkshire.

Top 10 Little-Known Facts About David Thewlis

  1. Musician at Heart: Before becoming an actor, Thewlis was a guitarist in a punk rock band called Door 66 during his teenage years.
  2. Name Change: He originally went by his birth name, David Wheeler. He adopted his mother’s maiden name, Thewlis, after discovering that someone else in the actors’ union had already registered under his birth name.
  3. Accidental Fame in “Naked”: Thewlis wasn’t the first choice for his breakout role in Naked (1993). The role of Johnny was initially offered to Daniel Day-Lewis, who turned it down.
  4. Turned Down “Harry Potter” Initially: Although Thewlis became widely known for his portrayal of Professor Remus Lupin in the Harry Potter films, he had originally auditioned for the role of Professor Quirrell in the first film but didn’t get the part.
  5. Multi-talented Filmmaker: In addition to acting, Thewlis has ventured into filmmaking. He directed and wrote a short film titled Hello, Hello, Hello (1995), which earned a BAFTA nomination for Best Short Film.
  6. Published Author: Thewlis is also a novelist. His first book, The Late Hector Kipling, a black comedy set in the art world, was published in 2007. His second novel, Shooting Martha, was released in 2021.
  7. Unconventional Audition: When Thewlis auditioned for the role of Remus Lupin, he didn’t have to go through the standard process. Director Alfonso Cuarón specifically requested him for the role, having been impressed by his previous work.
  8. Long-Standing Voice Role: Thewlis has lent his voice to the Shame Wizard in the animated Netflix series Big Mouth since 2017, showcasing his versatility in comedy.
  9. Honored for His Contribution to British Film: In 2008, Thewlis was awarded the Richard Harris Award at the British Independent Film Awards for his outstanding contribution to British cinema.
  10. Family Life Away from the Spotlight: Despite his fame, Thewlis has managed to keep much of his personal life private. He married French designer Hermine Poitou in 2016, and they live a relatively low-key life in Sunningdale, Berkshire.

Awards

YearAward NameNominated WorkCategory
1993Cannes Film FestivalNakedBest Actor
1993Evening Standard British Film AwardNakedBest Actor
1993London Film Critics’ CircleNakedBritish Actor of the Year
1993National Society of Film CriticsNakedBest Actor
1993New York Film Critics CircleNakedBest Actor
2008British Independent Film AwardOutstanding Contribution to British FilmRichard Harris Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Film
2009Scream AwardHarry Potter and the Half-Blood PrinceBest Ensemble (shared with the entire cast)
2016Alliance of Women Film JournalistsAnomalisaBest Depiction of Nudity, Sexuality, or Seduction (shared with Jennifer Jason Leigh)

Final Reflections

As David Thewlis’s life story unfolds, his success story uncovers the power of hard work and adaptability. With numerous awards, film credits, and even novels, Thewlis has shown that his talents are not limited to acting. He continues to make his mark across the entertainment industry through directing, writing, or voice work. David Thewlis’s biography exemplifies how dedication and passion can lead to a lasting and diverse career.

Reference List for David Thewlis’s Biography

  1. Moffitt, Dominic. “Lancs Harry Potter Star Who Started Off as Only Fools and Horses Extra.” LancsLive, Reach plc, 14 Mar. 2021. ↩︎
  2. Miller, Liz Shannon. “‘Fargo’: David Thewlis on the Details and Delight of Playing a Bad Guy Who’s ‘Out and Out Foul’.” Indiewire, 26 May 2017. ↩︎
  3. “David Thewlis Is the ‘Anonymous’ Actor Who’s Everywhere.” Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2012. ↩︎
  4. MacDonald, Marianne. “Post-Natal Confession.” The Daily Telegraph, 26 Sept. 2005. ↩︎

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