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) 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. Hide

I'm not a Christian. I'm not a Christian.

I've never met anyone normal. I've never met anyone normal.

We see death constantly on film. We see death constantly on film.

There's a great deal to be said about talent and inspiration but hard work is the most important in Show more 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. Hide

I think the story of 'Alice in Wonderland' in a way is a reminder that life is frightening, it can s Show more 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. Hide

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.

I try not to pay any attention to clothes fascism and I'd rather be thought of as someone who has hi Show more 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. Hide

I'm always aware that there are, broadly speaking, two different ways to act: there is acting, and t 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. Hide

I think being a parent is the most challenging thing you do. That's why we're here. It's at the hear 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. Hide

Getting older is a struggle. I always feel that just under the surface of acceptance and enjoyment o 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. Hide

Although my family - parents and sister - all work in the personnel management business, their real 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. Hide

I cry when I feel moved by incredible generosity or a connection to someone. We spend so much of our 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. Hide

I would never use prosthetics. I don't like sticking things on. I don't really like wearing wigs, ei Show more I would never use prosthetics. I don't like sticking things on. I don't really like wearing wigs, either. Hide

Everyone deserves compassion. Everyone deserves compassion.

My taste in watching things runs from dramas and low-budget films to high-end fantasy/science fictio Show more My taste in watching things runs from dramas and low-budget films to high-end fantasy/science fiction. Hide

Normal people - i.e., people who aren't actors - are the most bizarre people you can ever come acros 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.' Hide

Having played a lot of characters that are dangerously close to caricature, there's something I've a 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. Hide

I think it's quite tough for people like Tom Cruise where you can never really get away from being T 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. Hide

I suppose I've got a reputation for playing quite extreme characters and making them quite believabl Show more I suppose I've got a reputation for playing quite extreme characters and making them quite believable. Hide

I'd love to go back to Greek times and see the birth of theater and performing, in that time. It wou 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. Hide

I would like to be taller, thinner and more rakish looking. I would like to be taller, thinner and more rakish looking.

There are times in my career where I can see it would be helped by having a bit more of a profile, b 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. Hide

I've always had an eye for what looks good on a man. But I've not always found it easy to find cloth Show more 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. Hide

My dad is a Jack Nicholson lookalike and a frustrated performer, my mother's into reading and poetry 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. Hide

'Hamlet' is one of the most dangerous things ever set down on paper. All the big, unknowable questio 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. Hide

I have a terrible temper. I have absolutely no problem with getting shouty or a bit physical. It's n 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. Hide

I am prone to get carried away thinking about creative projects. I am prone to get carried away thinking about creative projects.

I do think there's a kind of a dark energy in Port Talbot. It's dominated by the steelworks, where t 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. Hide

I find increasingly that the more extreme are the things going on in your life, the more cultural re 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. Hide

Hopefully, any character I play has an anchor in reality. Hopefully, any character I play has an anchor in reality.

[on playing "Castor" in Tron (2010)] I wanted him to be like a sort of popular-culture jukebox progr 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. Hide

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 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.

In some ways any film that you do has an artificiality about it. Even when you're doing the most kit 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. Hide

Americans are much more open than people in Britain. Americans are much more open than people in Britain.

I'm definitely passionate and obsessed, and maybe that is a result of where I grew up. There was a r 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. Hide

I'm not a Tony Blair impersonator. I'm not a Tony Blair impersonator.

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.

I've always found it hard to say sorry. I've always found it hard to say sorry.

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 don't do the whole L.A. nightlife thing. I don't do the whole L.A. nightlife thing.

I love watching Jeff Bridges act. He's brilliant. I love watching Jeff Bridges act. He's brilliant.

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.

A lot of children are interested in fairies, especially young girls, and Tinker Bell is the ueber-fa 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. Hide

The first thing, when I read the script, is that I need to care about what happens and feel compelle 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. Hide

On ex Kate Beckinsale: Our relationship now is probably better than it ever was. And it helps that s 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. Hide

I suppose I'm something of an eccentric dresser. I suppose I'm something of an eccentric dresser.

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.

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 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. Hide

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.

When I was at drama school, I wanted to change the world, and thought I had some great wisdom to imp 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. Hide

You know, we're each the hero of our own story and we perceive what's going on around us, and especi 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.' Hide

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.

My chief gifts are - naturally good at all sports with a raw talent for pretty much everything, whic 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. Hide

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.

A parent can seem very kind and gentle, but as any child knows, as soon as that parent gets stressed 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. Hide

I'd love to go back to Europe in the '20s and '30s, for the beginning of the Psychoanalytic Movement 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. Hide

As a general thing, I've always been drawn to characters who appear to be one thing on the surface, 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. Hide

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.

By the time you are 30 you are still trying to make your 15-year-old self happy but you are a differ 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. Hide

For a culture that has such a problem with death, we seem to deal with it in a quite bizarre way. We 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. Hide

I'm happy in my life. I'm happy in my life.

My job takes me away from my daughter Lily a lot, so when I am with her the time is precious. When I 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. Hide

If someone has an ability to impress an audience there's a tendency to be tempted into doing just th Show more If someone has an ability to impress an audience there's a tendency to be tempted into doing just that. Hide

I think I'm becoming more relaxed in front of a camera. I suppose I'll always feel slightly more at 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. Hide

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.

I think when you work on a Woody Allen film the actors become a real company, probably more than on Show more I think when you work on a Woody Allen film the actors become a real company, probably more than on any other film. Hide

Stories have always been the things that entertain me and make me feel happy and sad and move me and 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. Hide

I can be a lazy dresser. I can be a lazy dresser.

Acting itself is quite scary. Some people say that actors are show-offs, very egotistical and all th Show more 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. Hide

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 am very impatient. I am very impatient.

Part of the fun of life is interacting with people and not knowing what the truth is inside. Letting 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. Hide

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.

Sometimes you see things in a script, and it doesn't necessarily mean the director sees the same thi 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. Hide

On the one hand Twitter gives you the opportunity to engage with people, which is great, but on the 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. Hide

I live a very Kenneth Williams-like existence. I live a very Kenneth Williams-like existence.

I've always loved animation and animated films. I've always loved animation and animated films.

I perceive and relate to the world through where I grew up; that's part of me. It's what I judge eve Show more 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. Hide

I think parenthood is a wonderful balancing act. On the one hand, you want to spend as much time wit 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. Hide

It's weird that I've ended up playing so many real live people, because I was never any good at impe Show more It's weird that I've ended up playing so many real live people, because I was never any good at impersonations at school. Hide

A lot of the times when I've auditioned for parts in America, the answer is, 'Sorry, we need a bigge Show more A lot of the times when I've auditioned for parts in America, the answer is, 'Sorry, we need a bigger name.' Hide

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 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.

I was obsessed with football when I was growing up. I was obsessed with football when I was growing up.

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 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.

Michael Sheen's FILMOGRAPHY

as Actor (318)

Quiz - Season 1

The Jonathan Ross Show - Season 19

Gogglebox - Season 7

Top Gear (UK) - Season 23

The Last Leg - Season 17

The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn - Part 1

The Graham Norton Show - Season 22

Ant and Decs Saturday Night Takeaway - Season 2

Punkd - Season 3

Unthinkable (2010)