Michael Sheen Actor Profile
A Look at the British Star of The Damned United and Frost/Nixon
Mar 27, 2009
Michael Sheen is known as an acting chameleon for his uncanny ability to inhabit roles portraying real life people such as David Frost in Frost/Nixon, Kenneth Williams in Fantabulosa, Tony Blair (twice) in The Fear and The Queen and, currently the Dapper Dan football manager Brian Clough in The Damned United.
Michael Sheen's Family
Michael Sheen was born on 5th February, 1969 in Newport, Gwent, and raised in Port Talbot, South Wales. He divides his time between homes in London and Los Angeles, but admits he still thinks of Port Talbot as his spiritual home. Sheen is in a long term relationship with Royal Ballet dancer Lorraine Stewart, and has a daughter, Lily, with his previous girlfriend the actress Kate Beckinsale. Michael and Kate remain good friends, who famously share the responsibility, and the fun, of raising their daughter between them, as much as possible.
Sheen's parents Irene and Meyrick, moved the family (Sheen also has a younger sister, Joanne) to Liverpool when he was 5, but soon returned to Wales, albeit with a football mad Liverpool FC supporting son in tow. Sheen has spoken widely about how thrilled he was to be standing next to “his team” (the Liverpool of the 1970s) to lead Leeds United out against Liverpool in the charity shield match in current film The Damned United.
Michael Sheen Trivia
- Michael Sheen's dad, Meyrick, works part-time as a Jack Nicholson impersonator.
- Michael Sheen met his girlfriend Lorraine Stewart after going to see his cousin Caroline Sheen appear at the National Theatre. Lorraine was in the same show, and they met backstage
- In the 2009 New Years Honours, Michael Sheen was awarded an OBE for his services to drama.
- Michael Sheen is rumoured to have spent 2 years during adolescence convinced that he was Jesus Christ on Earth.
- At the age of 12 Michael Sheen was offered a trial at Arsenal FC, after being spotted by Tony Adam's dad at a Pontin's holiday camp.
Sheen's Early Career
Michael Sheen studied at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre school, and enjoyed an enviable early flourish of success on stage in productions such as When She Danced (opposite Vanessa Redgrave), Romeo and Juliet, Peer Gynt and Look Back in Anger. Branching out to television, he won rave reviews for his performance in Gallowglass, before breaking into films with supporting roles in Othello and Mary Reilly.
Top Michael Sheen Film Recommendations
- Wilde (1997). A biopic of Oscar Wilde, in which Sheen plays Wilde's confidante Robbie Ross.
- Heartlands (2002). A bitter sweet British road movie, penned by Shane Meadows regular scribe Paul Fraser.
- The Four Feathers (2002) Sheen has a small role in Shekhar Kapur's underrated film alongside the late Heath Ledger.
- Underworld (2003). This vampire/werewolf film is an acquired taste, but those who get it really love it. Underworld is forced to weather a certain distasteful infamy due to marking the time when Kate Beckinsale left Sheen for the films director Len Wiseman. But this hasn't stopped Sheen returning for the two sequels. Although in Evolution (2006), he is featured only in flashbacks, Rise of the Lycans (2009) sees him take the reins as leading man, and is quite possibly the best film of the franchise.
- The Deal (2003). Sheen's first outing as British Prime Minister Tony Blair was in this TV film directed by Stephen Frears.
- Dirty Filthy Love (2004). This TV film, in which Sheen gives a bravura performance as a man suffering obsessive compulsive disorder, was the one that really brought his acting talents to public attention.
- Kingdom of Heaven (2005). Sheen has a small but pivotal role as the priest in this Ridley Scott film.
- Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa! (2006). Sheen's performance as Carry On star Kenneth Williams confirmed his chameleon acting ability to many.
- The Queen (2006). In which Sheen reprises his role as Tony Blair for director Stephen Frears.
- Blood Diamond (2006). Hollywood is now beginning to pay serious attention to Sheen.
- Frost/Nixon (2008). Sheen reprises his role from the stage play of Frost/Nixon for Ron Howard's Oscar nominated film.
- The Damned United (2009). Sheen inhabits the role of charismatic football manager Brian Clough during the most disastrous 44 days of his career.
Further reading: A review of Sheen's latest film, the tremendous Damned United.
Sources: This article was researched and checked via websites IMBd, Thisissouthwales and Wikimedia as well as human resources located in South Wales.
