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Hailing from London, England, Tom Hardy comes from a family of members in creative arts. His father, Chips Hardy, works as a Creative Director and Writer for an Advertising Agency, while his mother, Elizabeth Hardy, is a painter. While Hardy struggled during his school years, he found his calling in the world of drama by playing minor television roles and performing in plays. During the early 2000s, his career slowly gained momentum as he starred in independent movies. As his name became popular amongst the critics’ circle, Hardy began working with major production houses, starring in mainstream movies that took his career to new heights. His rugged good looks and cerebral performances have made him one of the most talented and celebrated artists of his generation.
From struggling with addictions during the early years of his career to getting back on his feet and working his way to the top, Tom Hardy has climbed a long ladder of success to reach the spot. Let’s take a look at his extraordinary success story.
An Unexpected Career
Growing up, Tom Hardy had a troubled relationship with his father while feeling self-conscious about his appearance and sensitive personality, a trait that he still carries with him. As mentioned by Esquire, Hardy used to get into trouble during his school years, using alcohol and drugs as an escape. He was arrested for joyriding while possessing a gun. The actor was addicted to drugs and alcohol during his active teenage years. He first contacted the Entertainment Industry while participating in a television modeling competition in 1998. This competition earned him an industry contract.
While studying at Drama Center London, Hardy was expelled due to his absence and drug habits. He didn’t study at the school; however, he earned a minor role in the 2001 television miniseries Band Of Brothers. He also earned a supporting role as Twombly in the Ridley Scott war movie Black Hawk Down. Even after the movie's success, his career failed to take off. In 2003, he suffered a crack-induced collapse on the streets of London. He participated in a drug rehabilitation program, which was a promising action towards his career as an actor, as stated by Britannica.
Gaining Momentum In Hollywood
While waiting to receive a breakthrough in movies, he acted in miniseries and theater productions. He was a part of television miniseries such as Oliver Twist in 2007 and Wuthering Heights in 2009. 2008 was a big year for Hardy as he worked in two films that created a buzz around him in the critics’ circle. He starred as a homosexual gangster in RocknRolla and the titular role of Charles Bronson, Britain’s most notorious prisoner in the movie Bronson. His scene-stealing performances as a supporting actor and lead actor in blockbuster movies such as Inception by Christopher Nolan and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy earned him praises in Hollywood.
The same year that Hardy reunited with Christopher Nolan to star as the antagonist Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, he ventured into the world of business. He started his production company with Dean Baker called Hardy Son & Baker to create sophisticated movies and television shows. According to Deadline, the company signed a first-look deal with NBCU International Productions to create content in 2014. The company has produced several television shows, including Taboo and Poaching Dogs. Along with flourishing his business, Hardy starred in several popular movies over the years. He starred in George Miller’s 2015 apocalyptic fantasy Mad Max: Fury Road, winning seven Academy Awards. He showcased his talent as a balanced actor by playing twin brothers in the crime drama Legend the same year. Tom Hardy has already well established himself as a serious actor with a wide range of acting capabilities.
Mainstream Movies And Future Projects
Along with bagging movie roles, he is best known to portray the recurring role of Alfie Solomons in the superhit British drama series Peaky Blinders opposite Cillian Murphy. Tom Hardy received his first Oscar nomination for starring as a supporting actor in Alejandro Iñárritu’s The Revenant. He reunited with Christopher Nolan for the third time to star in the war epic Dunkirk that stars Harry Styles, Fionn Whitehead, and Cillian Murphy. The actor found himself confined by a mask as a bomber pilot on a World War II mission, giving a graceful performance as a character under pressure, as noted by Variety.
After five years, Hardy returned to comic book movies but with Marvel Cinematic Universe. He bagged the lead role of Eddie Brock and Venom in 2017. The film was a box office smashing success, earning $856.1 million worldwide. He also starred in the 2021-sequel Venom: Let There Be Carnage. His performance in the Marvel Universe has been well-received by audiences worldwide as they wait for his return as the Venom.
From having a rocky start in Hollywood and struggling through addictions to becoming one of the biggest stars in Hollywood through his heart-touching and powerful performances, Tom Hardy has transformed his life for the better. Known for his action roles, he is all set to star in the upcoming 2022 action thriller Havoc.
Sources: Esquire, Britannica, Deadline, Variety
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