David Jude Heyworth Law, professionally known as Jude Law, Born on December 29, 1972, is an actor from England. His career started in theater and he eventually moved on to small roles in British TV shows and movies before gaining fame for his performance in The Talented Mr. Ripley in 1999. This role earned him a BAFTA award and an Academy Award nomination.
Profile Summary
| Full Name: | David Jude Heyworth Law |
| Date Of Birth: | December 29, 1972 |
| Place Of Birth: | London, England |
| Nationality: | English |
| Spouse: | Sadie Frost (divorced)Phillipa Coan ( divorced) |
| Children: | 7 |
| Occupation(s): | Actor |
| Net Worth: | $75 Million |
Early Life And Education
David Jude Heyworth Law was born on December 29, 1972, in London’s Lewisham district. His parents, both teachers, Peter Robert Law and Margaret Anne Heyworth, had married five years before his arrival. Law’s father eventually became the youngest headmaster in London. His Welsh heritage traces back to his maternal grandmother, who had been estranged from the family due to Law’s mother being adopted as a child. Although legally named David, he has always been known as Jude, inspired by Thomas Hardy’s novel and the Beatles’ song. Raised in Blackheath with his sister Natasha, Law attended John Ball Primary School, Kidbrooke School, and Alleyn’s School.
Career
Law began his acting career in 1987 with the National Youth Music Theatre, drawing inspiration from his childhood performances such as Saint George and the Dragon at the age of five. Leaving traditional schooling at 17 to pursue acting, Law took on challenging roles like Foxtrot Darling and Michael in acclaimed stage productions. Transitioning to television, he appeared in various shows and films, including The Tailor of Gloucester and Sherlock Holmes.Â
In 1994, Law landed his first major leading role in the British crime drama Shopping, marking the start of a successful career that includes notable performances in Wilde (1997), Gattaca, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and The Wisdom of Crocodiles.
Law rose to fame in 1999 with his role in The Talented Mr. Ripley, earning him the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor and nominations for the Golden Globe and Academy Awards. During this period, he was associated with the Primrose Hill set, leading to the founding of Natural Nylon in 1996, which he later left in 2003.Â
In the early 2000s, Law showcased his versatility in films like Enemy at the Gates, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, and Road to Perdition. He continued his successful collaborations with directors such as Anthony Minghella in Cold Mountain and his tribute to Laurence Olivier in Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. Law’s roles in Alfie and Sleuth further demonstrated his diverse skills before parting ways with Natural Nylon.
Law thrived in the mid-2000s with roles in successful films like The Holiday and My Blueberry Nights. His performance garnered accolades, including the Honorary César award. Law’s versatility was further showcased in theater, earning him a Tony Award nomination for his role in Hamlet. He also tackled challenging characters in films like The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus and Contagion, demonstrating his range as an actor.
David Jude Heyworth Law captivated audiences with his portrayal of Pope Lenny Belardo/Pius XIII in The Young Pope, earning acclaim for his portrayal of the complex character. He returned to the role in the follow-up series, The New Pope, and also appeared in the miniseries The Third Day.Â
Law showcased his talent further by playing Albus Dumbledore in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald and Yon-Rogg in Captain Marvel. He is set to portray Captain Hook in the upcoming live-action adaptation Peter Pan & Wendy, with other projects including The Auteur and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. Although initially cast in the role of Roland Penrose, he was later replaced in the World War II drama Lee.
Personal Life
Law married Sadie Frost in 1997 after meeting her on the set of Shopping in 1992. They have three kids, including Raff and Iris, but divorced in 2003. While working on Alfie in 2004, Law began a relationship with Sienna Miller. They got engaged but later split in 2006. Law has children with American model Samantha Burke, Catherine Harding, and is currently married to Phillipa Coan. In 2020, Law and Coan welcomed their first child together, followed by their second child in 2023.
Jude Law Net Worth
As of 2024, actor Jude Law is reported to have amassed a substantial net worth of approximately $75 million.
Filmography
Some of the notable films in David Jude Law’s extensive filmography include:
- The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
- AI Artificial Intelligence (2001)
- Cold Mountain (2003)
- Closer (2004)
- The Holiday (2006)
- Sherlock Holmes (2009)
- Contagion (2011)
- Side Effects (2013)
- The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
- Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)
Law has also been involved in various other films, plays, and television projects throughout his career.