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December 2009
Movie Entertainment
Liz Braun
Daniel Craig can tell you exactly what it was that drew him to acting as a child: “Dressing up and showing off.”
The British actor, 41, became a household name when became the sixth James Bond, but Craig had a noteworthy acting career long before he was engaged by Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Anyone who saw his performances in such films as Layer Cake, Enduring Love, Infamous, Sylvia, Road to Perdition or Love Is the Devil can attest to that. He has also worked successfully theatre and on television. Craig and Hugh Jackman have just had hugely successful run on Broadway in A Steady Rain, and both expected to get Tony Award nominations.
This month, Craig’s performance in Quantum of Solace is jewel in the crown of TMN and Movie Central’s Boxing Day Bond extravaganza, an all-day affair that also features GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day.
Becoming Bond has been a unique challenge for Craig. started with the intense criticism he faced when he was first cast 007 in Casino Royale. The barbs were personal and cruel, citing everything from his blond hair to an inability to drive a stick shift.
Critical acclaim and massive box office quickly quieted criticism. Craig did it again with Quantum of Solace, smashing box office records and cementing his image as the steely secret agent. His performance made James Bond three-dimensional again.
But then there was that tidal wave of fame.
“It was very nuts,” Craig jokes about the newfound celebrity. “I don’t know how you prepare yourself for that.”
The actor, who lives with American producer Satsuki Mitchell and who has a teenage daughter from a previous marriage, now fights to keep his private life private. He told Sun Media: “It’s not even so much to protect myself. It’s to protect my family. Their normality of life is precious to me. And if you’re talking about (invading) someone’s personal life, (someone) who’s not involved with public life, that’s really hurtful.”
Craig grew up in and around Liverpool. He went to London to join the National Youth Theatre at 16 and went on to graduate from the London Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 1991. He was then cast in the South African boxing drama The Power of One, which he says was his first real paying job.
Craig did his share of waiting tables and working menial jobs too, but “I never had that hard a time. I did all the jobs I had to do, as long as I was feeding myself and paying the rent. Other people have had it way harder and I feel very blessed.”
He really did know his career path from childhood. “I considered joining the navy,” he says, smiling, “and I was a waiter, but beyond that, I’d always wanted to be an actor.” And what sealed the deal? Mom.
“My mother, thankfully, gave me just that gentle nudge. Which was just: Go do it.’ That encouragement was all I needed.” Knowing his family supported his decision gave him a sort of safety net, says Craig. “I gave it my best shot,” says. “It took a while, but there it was.”
VITALS
Birth date: March 2, 1968
Birthplace: Chester,Cheshire, England
Family: Mother Olivia (née Williams), an art teacher; father Timothy John Wroughton Craig, landlord of pubs Ring O’ Bells and The Boot Inn
Significant others: Heike Makatsch (2001-2004); Satsuki Mitchell (2006-present)
Early years: Began acting in school plays at age 6 and moved to London at 16 to join the National Youth Theatre.