Colin James Farrell (born May 31, 1976) is an Irish actor who has appeared in several high-profile Hollywood films including Alexander and S.W.A.T.
Colin Farrell | |
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| File:Colin James Farrell at Miami Vice Premiere in 2006.jpg Colin Farrell at the movie premiere of Miami Vice. | |
| Born | Colin James Farrell |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) [1] |
Biography
Early life
Farrell was born prematurely, weighing 1 pound 6 ounces, in Castleknock, Dublin to Rita and Eamon Farrell. His father was a footballer who played and managed Shamrock Rovers FC, one of Ireland's famous clubs. Farrell has three siblings, including two sisters, Claudine and Catherine, and a brother, Eamon Jr.
Farrell was educated at St. Brigid's National School in Castleknock followed by Castleknock College and Gormanston College. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he was a promising young football player for Dublin team, Castleknock Celtic, as a goalkeeper. Farrell attended The Gaiety School of Acting, but dropped out and was cast in the part of Danny Byrne on Ballykissangel, a BBC television drama. Farrell appeared on the show from 1998 to 1999.
Career
Farrell had a number of small parts in various TV shows and movies, until 2000, when he was cast in the part of Private Roland Bozz in Tigerland, an American film directed by Joel Schumacher. Farrell's next American films, American Outlaws (2001) and Hart's War (2002), were not commercially successful, but his 2003 films, including Phone Booth, S.W.A.T. and The Recruit were well-received box office successes. Although he has a pronounced Irish accent, Farrell uses an American accent in some of his films including American Outlaws and his breakthrough role, Tigerland. Farrell is also a proven supporting actor, given his performances as an ambitious cop who chases after a potential criminal, played by actor Tom Cruise in Minority Report (2002), and as the skilled villain Bullseye in Daredevil (2003).
In 2004, Farrell appeared in several films that received only a limited theatrical release, including Intermission and A Home at the End of the World, both of which received some positive reviews. [2] [3]
Farrell appeared in the title role of Alexander the Great in 2004's Alexander, which received mixed reviews.[4] The film was marked by controversy, including homoerotic scenes with other men. Both the movie, including Oliver Stone's directing and story telling of Alexander, and Hephaistion's bisexual aspects, were heavily criticized by some historians and film critics who saw it as an inaccurate and misleading representation of the characters' sexualities. Though it failed at the US box office, it made a profit on its overseas revenues. [5]
Farrell also appeared as a bisexual character in A Home at the End of the World. He has credited his homosexual brother, Eamon Farrell Jr., for inspiring him and teaching him about "the meaning of love and understanding." [6]
His next film was 2005's Academy Award-nominated The New World, also a historical epic that was met with mixed reviews.[7] Farrell played the leading role of captain John Smith, the founder of 17th century colonial Jamestown, Virginia who falls in love with a beautiful American Indian maiden, Pocahontas, played by actress Q'Orianka Kilcher. The film achieved success, despite being released on 811 theatres worldwide and having a relatively low box office gross. [8] [9]
The New World was followed by Ask the Dust, a romance film set in period Los Angeles co-starring Salma Hayek. It received a very limited theatrical release and was not a financial success. [10] 2006 brought more success in Farrell's career, as he appeared opposite Jamie Foxx in Michael Mann's action-crime film Miami Vice. The film received box office status grossing a total of US$ 163,557,986.00 in its worldwide revenues; Universal Pictures released it in over 3,000 theatres worldwide and it captured the top spot at the box office, grossing more than US$ 25.7 million in its opening weekend. [11] [12]
Private life
Farrell married English actress Amelia Warner in July 2001 and divorced her four months later. He has a son, James, (born on September 12, 2003), with American model Kim Bordenave, from whom he is now estranged. [13]
In December 2005, Farrell voluntarily checked into a rehabilitation treatment center for addictions to recreational drugs and painkillers. [14] His publicist commented that Farrell had started taking painkillers due to a back injury. He was released on January 2006. In May 2006, Farrell started attending rehabilitation meetings.
Personal disputes
In July 2005, Farrell filed a lawsuit suing his former girlfriend, Playboy model Nicole Narain, the Internet Commerce Group (ICG) and adult entertainment producer David Hans Schmidt over the distribution of an illegal fourteen minute sex tape that Farrell had made with Narain in 2003. The tape is believed to have been made at Narain's apartment. Farrell claims he understood the tape as being "strictly private and confidential and will take legal court actions to anyone who tries to distribute it", [15] but it was leaked to Schmidt and ICG who tried to release it publicly. A Los Angeles judge issued an injunction barring the sale, distribution, or display of the tape.
Narain claimed that she did not give the tape to anyone and was not sure if or how copies were taken from her. She originally said that she would work with Farrell to ensure that it remained private, but Farrell said Narain was trying to release it along with Schmidt in order to damage his career and " make money out of it", which Narain denies. [16] [17]
In January 2006, the tape surfaced on website named dirtycolin.com. The site was shut down on the same day because of server overload, but re-opened a week later. The tape was then pirated through BitTorrent and other file sharing systems. Both Farrell's and Narain's lawyers denounced the site, which was shut down again a few days later for unknown reasons. Farrell's legal team said it would take legal action against sites that hosted the tape. A trial date for the Narain lawsuit was set for July 17, 2006, but the judge allowed Farrell and Narain to mediate until April 20. On April 16, the two reached a settlement with confidential terms. However, Farrell's lawsuit against ICG continued with a trial date set for July 21, 2006. [18]
Dessarae Bradford's accusations
Farrell has been sued twice for alleged harassment and sending foul messages to telephone sex worker Dessarae Bradford. The lawsuits were later dismissed due to a lack of evidence provided by Bradford. [19][20] Bradford, who has announced that she is "waging war on Colin Farrell", [21] has recorded a song entitled "Colin Farrell is My Bitch" and has self-published a book called "Colin Farrell: A Dark Twisted Puppy". [22]
Bradford took a lie detector test on an i TV program in an attempt to support her claims and stories. She failed the test. [23]
On July 20, 2006, Bradford confronted Farrell on the set of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and was escorted out by police while shouting "I'll see you in court". Farrell's response was, "You're insane" [20]. Farrell requested a restraining order in court against Bradford; Farrell said Bradford "accosted me during the taping of a network television show on July 20, 2006. I am concerned that her harassing behaviour has escalated and may pose an immediate threat to my well-being and the well-being of my family." The request also asked for Bradford to keep away from Farrell, his son James and James' mother, Kim Bordenave. [24]
The temporary restraining order was granted and will remain in effect until August, 2009. The restraining order was upheld during a later appeal.
Trivia
- Named one of People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" in 2003. [25]
- Voted 6th in the World's "Sexiest Man" by Company Magazine in 2003. [26]
- Was a line dancing instructor in a nightclub in Limerick called Docs (now known as Trinity Rooms). [27]
- Auditioned for Boyzone at the age of 17. [28]
- Sister, Claudine Farrell is his personal assistant. [29]
- Became an official games spokesman for the 2007 Special Olympics. [30]
Selected filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Cassandra's Dream | ? | Post-production |
| Pride and Glory | Jimmy Egan | Post-production | |
| 2006 | Miami Vice | Det. James 'Sonny' Crockett | |
| Ask the Dusk | Arturo Bandini | ||
| 2005 | The New World | Captain John Smith | |
| 2004 | Alexander | Alexander the Great | |
| A Home at the End of the World | Bobby Morrow (1982) | ||
| 2003 | Veronica Guerin | Tattooed Boy | Cameo |
| Intermission | Lehiff | Released in the U.S. in 2004 | |
| S.W.A.T. | Officer Jim Street | ||
| The Recruit | James Douglas Clayton | ||
| Daredevil | Bullseye | ||
| 2002 | Phone Booth | Stuart Shepard | |
| Minority Report | Danny Witwer | ||
| Hart's War | Lt. Thomas W. Hart | ||
| 2001 | American Outlaws | Jesse James | |
| 2000 | Tigerland | Pvt. Roland Bozz | |
| Ordinary Decent Criminal | Alec | Released in the U.S. in 2003 (DVD and video) | |
| 1999 | The War Zone | Nick |
Awards
Awards won
- Boston Society of Film Critics Awards: Best Actor for Tigerland in 2000.
- IFTA Awards: Best Actor in a film for S.W.A.T. in 2003.
- London Critics Circle Film Awards: Best Newcomer of the Year for Tigerland in 2002.
- MTV Movie Awards: Best Trans-Atlantic Breakthrough Performer in 2003.
- MTV Movie Awards, Mexico: Best Actor in a Movie for S.W.A.T. in 2004.
- Shanghai International Film Festival: Best Actor for Hart's War in 2002.
- Teen Choice Awards: Best Choice Movie Actor for Daredevil and Phone Booth in 2003.
- Teen Choice Awards: Best Movie Villain for Daredevil in 2003.
Nominations
- Emire Awards, UK: Best Actor for Minority Report in 2003.
- European Film Awards: Best Actor for Intermission in 2004.
- IFTA Awards: Best Actor for A Home at the End of the World in 2004.
- IFTA Awards: Best Supporting Actor in Film/TV for Intermission in 2004.
- MTV Movie Awards: Best Villain for Daredevil in 2003.
- Teen Choice Awards: Best Choice Breakout Star-Male for The Recruit, Daredevil and Phone Booth in 2003.
References
- ^ "Celebsrate.com". Colin Farrell, Celebrity Info, Quotes And Trivia.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Everyonesacritic.com". A Home At The End Of The World Critic Reviews. Retrieved September 21.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Thenumbers". A Home At The End Of The World: Total Gross Revenues. Retrieved December 1.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Metacritic.com". Alexander Critic Reviews.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Boxoffice.com". Alexander Box Office Gross.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Contactmusic.com". Farrell Credits Gay Brother for Performance. Retrieved March 1.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Boxofficemojo.com". The New World Box Office Gross.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Yahoo!Movies.com". The New World Critics Rewiews.
- ^ "Movies.yahoo.com". The New World: Awards and Nominations.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Thenumbers.com". Ask The Dusk Total Grosses Revenues. Retrieved December 1.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Ndtv Movies.com". Miami Vice Sinks Pirates At The Box Office. Retrieved July 31.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Boxofficemojo.com". Miami Vice Box Office Revenues.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Teenhollywood.com". Colin Farrell Banned From His Own House. Retrieved July 28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Quepasa.com". Colin Farrell Admitted In Rehab Center Due To Overdose. Retrieved December 13.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Kdkaentertainment". Farrell Sex Tape Web Site Shuts Down. Retrieved January 11.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Kdka.com". Colin Farrell Settles Sex Tape Fight. Retrieved April 19.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Bravenet.com". Trial Date Set For Farrell Sextape Suit. Retrieved January 20.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "New York Daily News". Colin and ex-Playmate settle tale of the sex tape. Retrieved July 18.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Jossip". Colin Farrell sued by phone sex operator for X-rated text messages. Retrieved July 24.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "AccessHollywood". Update: Colin Farrell Confronted On 'Tonight Show' Stage. Retrieved July 24.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Jossip". Dessarae Bradford. Retrieved July 24.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "BlessedAdventurePub". Colin Farrell : A Dark Twisted Puppy. Retrieved July 24.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "www.monstersandcritics.com". Farrell Accuser Fails Lie Detector Test. Retrieved July 24.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accesyear=ignored (help) - ^ "TMZ.com". Farrell Files for Restraining Order. Retrieved July 24.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "CBS News Entertainment". The Most Beautiful People Are Back. Retrieved April 30.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "AmIAnnoying.com". Company Magazine's 100 Sexiest Men of 2003.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Femalefirst.co.uk". Colin Farrell's Line Dancing Lessons. Retrieved November 30.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Visimag.com". Movie Idols: We Look At The Exploding Film Career Of Colin Farrell.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Hello!hellomagazine.com". Colin Farrell shows is Brotherly Love at "Vice" Premiere.
- ^ "Eircom.net". Farrell, The Reformed Man, Is On His Marks. Retrieved October 14.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help)
External links
- Colin Farrell Official Web site
- Colin Farrell at IMDb
- Colin James Farrell Video, photos and news.
- Colin Farrell interview