13 Things You Didn't Know About Theo James
Here are some fun facts about The White Lotus and The Gentlemen star.
If Theo James looks very familiar, it is certainly for good reason. This month, the English actor stars in Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen, on Netflix. Though he plays a Duke with a penchant for toeing the line of what is legal and not, James is known for his breakout role as the mysteriously captivating Tobias "Four" Eaton in Divergent. James has been in popular films and television shows, including Sanditon, The Time Traveler's Wife, and The White Lotus. Despite maintaining a low profile when it comes to his personal life, James has captured the hearts of many fans with his undeniable talents and good looks. Here, L'OFFICIEL has put together 13 must-know facts for any die-hard Theo James fan.
He has a main role in The Gentlemen.
Released on March 7, Theo James plays the lead role, Eddie Horniman, in the Netflix action comedy series. The series, which is a spin-off of the 2019 film of the same name, was created by Guy Ritchie. It centers around James' character's discovery that his family estate harbors a vast weed-growing empire, and his subsequent efforts to navigate the unexpected situation and the dangerous underworld that comes with it. Though the original film, which starred Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, and Henry Golding, received mixed reviews, it earned $115 million at the box office.
His last name isn't James.
Born Theodore Peter James Kinnaird Taptikilis, Theo James' real name derives from his Greek ancestors. Born in Oxford, James is also of English and Scottish heritage.
He's an Emmy Nominee and Screen Actors Guild award winner.
In 2023, Theo James received his first Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his work on The White Lotus. That same year, James won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. Given his longstanding career and success in his previous work, we were certainly surprised these were his first nominations and wins in both award shows.
He does his own stunts.
Being an actor in an action movie, there's no shame in having a stunt double perform the dangerous acts. But not for James, who prefers to do his stunts. In an interview with Today, James explained, "Being an actor, sometimes you hang around on set a lot, and you're waiting around in the trailer, so when you can do a bit of running and sweating, it can be good."
He grew up in England.
Though he has mastered a believeable American accent, James actually grew up in Askett, a hamlet in Princes Risborough Buckinghamshire, England.
He's a musician.
James is a man of many talents. Unbeknownst to many, he used to be the lead singer and guitarist in the band Shere Khan. In addition to guitar and singing, he also plays the harmonica and the piano.
He has a degree in philosophy.
Prior to his pursuit as an actor, James was a Philosophy major at Nottingham University. The degree has been put to use in his acting career, as James has indicated that he likes to connect to his characters on a more meaningful and intimate level.
He was in Downton Abbey.
For anyone that hasn't yet seen Downtown Abbey, you may want to now. Earlier on in his career, James played Turkish diplomat Kemal Pamuk. Needless to say, however, his character was short-lived and endured a quick death after being caught with Lady Mary in her bed.
He is a master of accents.
Having range is essential when you're an actor. With the number of diverse roles James has had to play, it's no surprise that he's mastered accents ranging from Southern Irish to Scottish to sounding like a true New Yorker.
He used to work for the National Health Services.
Before becoming a star actor, James' career included being a bartender, lifeguard, and employee for the National Health Services, where he cleaned the houses of the recently deceased. Not everything is so glamorous before stepping into Hollywood.
He's a producer.
Not only does James enjoy working in front of the camera, but also behind it. Enjoying taking on the role of a storyteller, he has accrued five producer credits and began his own production company, Untapped. We look forward to seeing how he develops this new career side.
He's a married man.
James has been off the market for a while now. He tied the knot with his wife, actress Ruth Kearny, in 2018. The couple have two children together.
He's not on social media.
If you're ever trying to social media stalk James, you won't find him anywhere. Unlike most celebrities, he doesn't have Instagram, Twitter, or other popular platforms. Despite being in the public eye, James enjoys living a private life.
