Biography for
Sam Worthington More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

2 August 1976, Godalming, Surrey, England, UK

Birth Name

Samuel Shane Worthington

Height

5' 10" (1.78 m)

Mini Biography

Born on August 2, 1976; Sam Worthington graduated form NIDA (Australia's National Institute of Dramatic Art) in 1998 at the age of 22. Sam received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Arthur Wellesley in his first professional role in the Belvoir Street Theatre production "Judas Kiss" (directed by Neil Armfield). He then went on to work in Australian television on such shows as Water Rats (2000) and Backburner and then on the American TV show JAG's 100th episode (Boomerang part 1). Also in 2000, Sam made his first movie appearance in the highly acclaimed Australian movie "Bootmen", about a troop of 'tap dogs'; the film also starred Adam Garcia as Sam's brother. Minor roles proceeded in "Hart's War" and "Matter of Life" before Sam starred in another hailed Australian drama, 2002's "Dirty Deeds", which also starred Toni Collette and John Goodman.

The following year he starred in yet another Aussie film, opposite David Wenham in "Gettin' Square". The director of the film, Jonathan Teplitzky originally tested actors who were up to 8 years older than the then 27 year old Worthington. Teplitzky wasn't sure Sam "could convincingly play a tough guy and also have elements of the leading man about him", but in the end Teplitzky decided Sam was "fantastic", and had "David playing the older, slightly more streetwise accomplice" proclaiming "it worked".

But it wasn't until 2004 that Sam got his big break. Having made his directorial debut on the short film, "Enzo", Sam was offered the role of Joe in the unique and greatly acclaimed Australian drama, written and directed by Cate Shortland, "Somersault" opposite Abbie Cornish. "Somersault" took 7 years to make, and Shortland wanted to cast the perfect actor in the role of Joe. Shortland did much preparation for the film, arranging for a 3-week rehearsal period prior to shooting, it all paid off. The film did amazingly well, making a clean sweep of the Australian Film Institute awards in 2004 to win in all 13 film categories - the first time this has ever occurred in the award's history. It beat the previous record of eight AFI awards shared by Lantana (2001) and Newsfront (1978). Sam won the AFI for best male actor.

Sam's career took off internationally when he was cast in "Avatar" and "Terminator Salvation". He has said that he will go where ever the work takes him and would "like to go on 'Dancing With The Stars'".

IMDb Mini Biography By: SimpleWorld

Trivia

He won a scholarship to the John Curtin School of Performing Arts in Fremantle, WA.

Said in an interview with Rove McManus that he had no intention of becoming an actor and went to NIDA to support a friend but was pushed through and got through. His friend did not get into NIDA.

Was in the same class as Matthew Newton. The son of TV personalities Bert and Patty Newton.

Was a finalist to play James Bond in Casino Royale (2006) before Daniel Craig was cast.

Was a bricklayer before becoming an actor.

Maeve Dermody was Sam's girlfriend for 2yrs.

Sam won 'Best Actor' at the AFI awards for his role in the Australian movie "Somersault".

In 1998, Sam graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA).

Sam has blurred vision but he does not wear glasses.

Aside from acting, Sam is a keen surfer.

His favourite artists include Xavier Rudd and Bernard Fanning.

In 2009 he got his first Teen Choice Award nomination for Choice Movie Fresh Face Male in Terminator Salvation.

Worthington earned a scholarship to the John Curtin School of Performing Arts in Fremantle.

Sam was once described as one of Australia's most likable young leading men by efilmcritic.com.

Won the 'GQ Man of the Year' award in Australia in 2009, over 'Eric Bana' and Russell Crowe.

Born in Godalming Surrey, England. Parents moved to Perth, Western Australia when Sam was very young.

Currently dating stylist Natalie Mark [2009].

Grew up in Rockingham in Western Australia about 1 hour drive from Perth.

Personal Quotes

"I also care that the public are getting their 12 dollars' worth when they go to a movie, and that they're not coming out not wanting to ever see a movie with me in it again. I don't care what people think of me as a person, but I do care what people think of my work, and whether I'm investing enough into it." [Empire magazine, October 2006].

A mate of mine told me recently, 'It's the first time I've seen you work, Worthington.' I thought that was quite funny, but he was right. [Empire magazine, October 2006]

(on Avatar) It's gotta hell of a lotta hype, I read all what was said yesterday about the trailer. I can see their point, but as I said, it's not meant to be built for an Apple Mac, it's built for IMAX, it's built for 3D, that's what he's designed it for. He's designed it to bring people back to the cinema. It's interesting that he's released that trailer and the next day, he shows it on IMAX. It's one extreme to the other. We get the criticism and then we get the rave reviews of what it really looks like in its own formula. That's obviously going to get people to think and go, 'Damn right! I'm going to go and see this at the cinema.' Jim has always said to me that he wants to bring people back to the movies, and he's a smart enough man for that to be tactical.

(on his role in Clash of the Titans) Oh I want to do it exactly the same. That guy's gonna come after me...no, I had a take on Perseus that I said to Louie and he went with it and the studio kind of liked my take, and we'll see if it works.

(on the Terminator Franchise) Well, I reacquainted myself with the movies, obviously, before we started, but I would have been actually 15 or something when Terminator 2 came out. So you remember the liquid man, of course, and that was revolutionary for this time, going through the helicopter and all that. But I think what they do is they showcase how good a storyteller Jim is.

I didn't set out to be famous; if I'd wanted that, I would have gone on Big Brother.

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