Freddie Highmore

Freddie Highmore

Highmore at the Bates Motel premiere, 2013
Born Alfred Thomas Highmore
(1992-02-14) 14 February 1992
Camden Town, London, England, UK
Alma mater Emmanuel College, Cambridge
Occupation Actor
Years active 1999–present
Parents

Alfred Thomas "Freddie" Highmore[1] (born 14 February 1992) is an English actor, known for his leading film and television roles, beginning during his childhood. He made his debut in the comedy film Women Talking Dirty (1999). He has since starred in the films Finding Neverland (2004), Five Children and It (2004), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), Arthur and the Invisibles (2006), August Rush (2007), The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008), Toast (2010) and The Art of Getting By (2011). He won the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer in two consecutive years (2004–05).

Since 2013, Highmore has starred as Norman Bates in the A&E drama-thriller series Bates Motel, for which he was twice nominated for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series.

Early life and education

Highmore was born on 14 February 1992 in Camden Town, London, England, into a show business family.[2] His mother, Sue Latimer, is a talent agent whose clients include actors Daniel Radcliffe and Imelda Staunton, and his father, Edward Highmore, is an actor. He has a younger brother named Albert "Bertie" Highmore, born in 1995. Highmore's home is in Highgate, an area of North London.[3]

Highmore was educated at a primary school in Hampstead Garden Suburb in Hampstead in North London, and at Highgate School, an independent school in Highgate, followed by Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he earned a Double First in Spanish and Arabic.[4][5]

Career

1999–2004: Beginnings and Finding Neverland

Highmore began his acting career with small roles on television at the age of 7. He made his film debut in Coky Giedroyc's comedy Women Talking Dirty (1999), playing the son of a woman (Helena Bonham Carter) who has recently become estranged from her commitment-phobic French lover.[2] In 2001, Highmore played a young King Arthur in the TNT miniseries The Mists of Avalon, a revisionist take on the Arthurian legends that depicted the women of Camelot as the real power behind the throne.[2] In 2001, in the BBC miniseries Happy Birthday Shakespeare, he portrayed the son of a tour bus driver (Neil Morrissey) who dreams of moving his family to Stratford-upon-Avon, while his mum (Dervla Kirwan) becomes sick and tired of her husband's money making schemes.[2] Highmore has acted alongside members of his family in two separate films; his brother Bertie played his brother in Women Talking Dirty, and his father Edward played his father in Hallmark Entertainment's television film Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story (2001).

In 2004, Highmore returned to the big screen for the family adventure film Two Brothers, directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud. He played the son of a French administrator who refuses to believe that his new friend, a tiger cub, might be dangerous after having tasted blood. He next had a major role alongside Kenneth Branagh, Zoë Wanamaker and Eddie Izzard in the straight-to-video fantasy film Five Children and It (2004). That same year, Highmore made his breakthrough with a critically acclaimed performance as troubled Peter Llewelyn Davies in Marc Forster's semi-biographical film Finding Neverland. He received several awards and nominations for the role, including a Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer, and nominations for the Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role.

2005–11: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Astro Boy

Highmore at the San Diego Comic-Con International, 23 July 2009

In 2005, he portrayed the main role of Charlie Bucket in the musical fantasy film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, adapted from the book of the same name by Roald Dahl.[6] He was reportedly recommended by co-star Johnny Depp, whom Highmore had worked with in Finding Neverland; Depp had been impressed by the young actor's performance and thus put his name forward for the role.[2] Highmore had not seen the original 1971 version of the film, and decided not to see it until he was done filming so his portrayal of Charlie would not be influenced. For his role, he again won the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer and was awarded the Satellite Award for Outstanding New Talent. Highmore also lent his voice to the film's accompanying video game of the same name.

He next appeared as a young Max Skinner (Russell Crowe) in the comedy-drama film A Good Year, which was released in the UK on 27 October 2006. Also in 2006, he began portraying protagonist Arthur Montgomery in the live-action/animated fantasy adventure film Arthur and the Invisibles, released on 13 December 2006. Two sequels followed: Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard (2009) and Arthur 3: The War of the Two Worlds (2010).[7] For the third film and the trilogy's accompanying video game, Highmore provided voice acting.[8] In 2007, he lent his voice to the adventure fantasy film The Golden Compass (2007) and its video game of the same name. He then portrayed the title character in the drama film August Rush (2007), alongside Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, and Robin Williams. The story follows a musical prodigy as he searches for his birth parents. This film received a wide release on 21 November 2007.[9]

Highmore next starred in the dual role of American twins Simon and Jared Grace, alongside Sarah Bolger as their sister Mallory, in the fantasy adventure film The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008), based on the popular children's stories of the same name by Tony DiTerlizzi. The film also had a video game, The Spiderwick Chronicles, in which Highmore reprised the characters of Simon and Jared in a voice role.[10] That same year, he provided voice acting for the role of Little Jack in the animated film A Fox's Tale (2008). In 2009, Highmore voiced the lead character in the animated film Astro Boy,[11] and provided his voice to its accompanying video game, Astro Boy: The Video Game.[12] He then played the main role in Toast, a BBC autobiographical film about chef Nigel Slater, which was aired on 30 December 2010. The miniseries marked the third time Highmore has worked with Helena Bonham Carter.[13] Also in 2010, he starred as Hally Ballard, opposite Ving Rhames, in the drama film Master Harold...and the Boys, based on the play of the same name by Athol Fugard. The following year, he co-starred alongside Emma Roberts in the romantic comedy-drama The Art of Getting By (2011).[14]

2012–present: Bates Motel and screenwriting debut

Highmore at PaleyFest for Bates Motel, 10 May 2013

In 2013, Highmore voiced the title character in the animated adventure film Justin and the Knights of Valour, released on 13 September 2013 in the UK and Ireland. Since 2013, he has portrayed the iconic role of Norman Bates, alongside Vera Farmiga as his mother Norma, in the A&E drama-thriller series Bates Motel, a prequel to the Alfred Hitchcock film Psycho that restarts the storyline in the present day.[15] The series premiered on 18 March 2013,[16] and Highmore has received nominations for the Saturn Award for Best Actor on Television (2013),[17] Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama (2013),[18] People's Choice Award for Favorite TV Anti-Hero (2014),[19] and Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series (2014–15)[20][21] for his performance. He also wrote the fourth season episode titled "Unfaithful".[22] In August 2014, it was reported that Highmore and Bates executive producer Kerry Ehrin had written a comedy pilot script that was purchased by NBC. However, the project was not picked up to series.[23]

In 2015, he starred in the Libertines' music video for their single "You're My Waterloo", alongside actress Marama Corlett.[24] In 2016, Highmore will star in Stephen Poliakoff's BBC Two six-part miniseries Close to the Enemy,[25] the coming-of-age comedy-drama film Holding Patterns,[26] and Nick Hamm's political comedy-drama film The Journey.[27] He has been cast to voice the Duke of Chesire in the upcoming animated adaptation of The Canterville Ghost.[28]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1999 Women Talking Dirty Sam
2004 Two Brothers Raoul Normandin
2004 Finding Neverland Peter Llewelyn Davies
2004 Five Children and It Robert
2005 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Charlie Bucket
2006 A Good Year Young Max Skinner
2006 Arthur and the Invisibles Arthur Montgomery
2007 August Rush Evan Taylor / August Rush
2007 The Golden Compass Pantalaimon Voice role
2008 The Spiderwick Chronicles Jared and Simon Grace
2008 A Fox's Tale Little Jack Voice role
2009 Astro Boy Toby Tenma / Astro Boy Voice role
2009 Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard Arthur Montgomery
2010 Arthur 3: The War of the Two Worlds Arthur Montgomery
2010 Master Harold...and the Boys Hally Ballard
2011 The Art of Getting By George Zinavoy
2013 Justin and the Knights of Valour Justin Voice role
2016 The Journey Jack
2016 Holding Patterns Charlie Brenner

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2000 Happy Birthday Shakespeare Steven Green Television film
2001 The Mists of Avalon Young Arthur Television film
2001 Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story Son at Playground Television film
2002 I Saw You Oscar Bingley Television film
2010 Toast Nigel Slater Television film
2013–present Bates Motel Norman Bates 40 episodes; also wrote 1 episode
2016 Close to the Enemy Victor Ferguson Miniseries

Video games

Year Title Role
2005 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Charlie Bucket
2007 Arthur and the Invisibles Arthur Montgomery
2007 The Golden Compass Pantalaimon
2008 The Spiderwick Chronicles Jared and Simon Grace
2009 Astro Boy: The Video Game Toby Tenma / Astro Boy

Awards and nominations

Year Nominated work Award Result
2004 Finding Neverland Empire Award for Best Newcomer Won
Phoenix Film Critics' Society Award for Best Youth Actor Won
Las Vegas Film Critics' Society Award for Youth in Film Won
Satellite Award for Outstanding New Talent Won
Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film – Young Ensemble Cast Won
London Film Critics' Circle Award for British Newcomer of the Year Nominated
MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance Nominated
Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Nominated
Young Artist Award for Best Leading Young Actor in a Feature Film Nominated
Utah Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated
Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer Won
2005 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Won
Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Youth Actor Won
Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor Nominated
Young Artist Award for Best Leading Young Actor in a Feature Film Nominated
2006 A Good Year Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer Nominated
2007 Arthur and the Invisibles Young Artist Award for Best Performance in an International Feature Film – Leading Young Actor Nominated
August Rush Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer Nominated
Young Artist Award for Best Leading Young Actor in a Feature Film Nominated
Capri Exploit Award Won
Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor Won
2008 The Spiderwick Chronicles Nominated
Young Artist Award for Best Leading Young Actor in a Feature Film Nominated
2009 Astro Boy Young Artist Award for Best Voice Over Role Nominated
2013 Bates Motel Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama Nominated
Saturn Award for Best Actor on Television Nominated
People's Choice Award for Favorite TV Anti-Hero Nominated
Gold Derby Award for Breakthrough Performance of the Year Nominated
2014 Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series Nominated
2015 Nominated
2016 Gold Derby Award for Best Lead Actor in a Drama Nominated
People's Choice Award for Favorite Cable TV Actor Pending

References

  1. Births, Marriages & Deaths Index of England & Wales, 1984–2004, listed birth name as "Alfred Thomas Highmore".
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Freddie Highmore – Biography". Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  3. Salisbury, Mark (4 November 2007). "Freddie Highmore keeps it real in music-filled 'August Rush'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 6 November 2007. Retrieved 4 November 2007.
  4. "Freddie Highmore: 'When You're Eighteen, You Can't Act the Kid Anymore'". The Independent. 5 December 2010. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  5. "Actor Highmore gains double first". The Belfast Telegraph. 3 July 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  6. "Freddie Highmore cast as titular Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". JohnAugust.com. 23 May 2004. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  7. "Movies: Details for Arthur and the Vengeance of Maltazard". The New York Times.
  8. "Movies: Details for Arthur and The War Of Two Worlds". The New York Times.
  9. Freddie Highmore talks August Rush on YouTube
  10. "Highmore Joins Spiderwick Chronicles". Empire. 24 July 2006.
  11. "Freddie Highmore Signed for Imagi Studios' Astro Boy" (PDF). Imagi Studios. Retrieved 28 February 2008.
  12. "Freddie Highmore and Kristen Bell Join Astro Boy: The Video Game". GamersHell.com. 5 July 2009. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  13. "New BBC One drama, Helena Bonham Carter and Freddie Highmore star in Toast". BBC. 21 May 2010.
  14. Cox, Gordon (21 April 2010). "Roberts, Highmore assigned 'Homework'". Variety. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
  15. Goldberg, Lesley (14 September 2012). "A&E's 'Psycho' Prequel 'Bates Motel' Finds its Young Norman". The Hollywood Reporter.
  16. Carlson, Adam (17 March 2013). "'Bates Motel': Freddie Highmore on playing a young Norman: 'People will probably start hiding the kitchen knives'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  17. McCabe, Joseph (28 June 2014). "Gravity, The Walking Dead, and Breaking Bad Win Big at the Fortieth Annual Saturn Awards". Nerdist. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  18. Pond, Steve (2 December 2013). "'12 Years a Slave' Tops Satellite Award Nominations". TheWrap. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  19. Bentley, Jean (5 November 2013). "People's Choice Awards 2014 nominees: 'Glee,' 'Castle,' 'Pretty Little Liars' and more". Zap2it.com.
  20. Sandberg, Bryn Elise (19 June 2014). "Critics' Choice Television Awards 2014: Complete Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  21. Pedersen, Erik (6 May 2015). "Critics' Choice TV Awards: 'Justified', 'Olive Kitteridge', HBO Lead The Field". Deadline.com. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  22. Saclao, Christian (4 April 2016). "'Bates Motel' Star Freddie Highmore On Writing Season 4, Episode 8 Of A&E's 'Psycho' Prequel". Design & Trend. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  23. Goldberg, Lesley (22 August 2014). "'Bates Motel's' Freddie Highmore, Kerry Ehrin Sell Comedy to NBC". The Hollywood Reporter.
  24. Monroe, Jazz (2 December 2015). "The Libertines Share Romantic "You're My Waterloo" Video Starring Freddie Highmore". Pitchfork Media.
  25. "BBC Two announces new Stephen Poliakoff drama with stellar cast". BBC. 30 March 2015.
  26. Siegel, Tatiana (18 August 2015). "Freddie Highmore, Haley Joel Osment to Star in Coming-of-Age Film 'Holding Patterns'". The Hollywood Reporter.
  27. McNary, Dave (10 September 2015). "Toronto: John Hurt, Toby Stephens, Freddie Highmore Join 'The Journey'". Variety.
  28. Kemp, Stuart (9 May 2014). "Cannes: Freddie Highmore Lends Voice to Animated 'Oscar Wilde's The Canterville Ghost'". The Hollywood Reporter.

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