Henry Cavill
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Henry Cavill | |
|---|---|
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| Nationality | British |
| Birth Date | 5 May 1983 (Age 41) |
| Birth Place | Saint Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Known for | The Tudors (2007–2010), Superman in the DC Extended Universe (2013–2023), The Witcher (2019–2023), Enola Holmes (2020, 2022) |
Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill (/ˈkævəl/ KAV-əl; born 5 May 1983) is a British actor. He is best known for his portrayals of Charles Brandon in Showtime's *The Tudors* (2007–2010), Superman in the DC Extended Universe (2013–2023), Geralt of Rivia in the Netflix fantasy series *The Witcher* (2019–2023), and Sherlock Holmes in the Netflix films *Enola Holmes* (2020) and its 2022 sequel.
Early Life
Cavill was born on 5 May 1983, in Saint Helier, Jersey, in the Channel Islands. He is the fourth of five boys in a Catholic family. His mother, Marianne Dalgliesh, is of Scottish, English, and Irish descent, and worked as a secretary in a bank. His father, Colin Cavill, is a former stockbroker born in Chester, England.
Cavill attended St Michael's Preparatory School in Saint Saviour, Jersey, before moving on to Stowe School in Buckinghamshire, where he was active in both sports and drama. He played field hockey for the 1st XI and rugby for the 3rd XV. Cavill also participated in school productions, portraying a member of the T-Birds in *Grease* (1999) and taking the lead role in a performance of *Dogg's Hamlet*.
Career
Cavill began his career in film with a role in *Laguna* (2001) and went on to appear in Kevin Reynolds' adaptation of *The Count of Monte Cristo* (2002). He also had roles in BBC's *The Inspector Lynley Mysteries* (2002) and ITV's *Midsomer Murders* (2003), among others. In 2003, he starred in *I Capture the Castle*, followed by roles in *Hellraiser: Hellworld* (2005), *Red Riding Hood* (2006), and *Tristan & Isolde* (2006). He had a minor role in *Stardust* (2007).
From 2007 to 2010, Cavill played Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk, in Showtime's *The Tudors*. His portrayal earned him acclaim and helped raise his profile internationally. He followed this with supporting roles in films such as *Blood Creek* (2008) and *Whatever Works* (2009).
In 2011, Cavill was cast as Clark Kent/Superman in Zack Snyder's *Man of Steel* (2013). This role marked a major turning point in his career, leading to appearances in subsequent DCEU films, including *Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice* (2016), *Justice League* (2017), and *Zack Snyder's Justice League* (2021).
Cavill also starred in *The Man from U.N.C.L.E.* (2015) and *Mission: Impossible – Fallout* (2018). From 2019 to 2023, he portrayed Geralt of Rivia in *The Witcher* on Netflix, a role he left after the third season, to be replaced by Liam Hemsworth.
In addition to his notable roles in DC films, Cavill portrayed Sherlock Holmes in *Enola Holmes* (2020) and its sequel, *Enola Holmes 2* (2022). He also participated in the 2024 spy action film *Argylle* and was set to star in a *Highlander* reboot.
Legacy and Impact
Cavill's portrayal of Superman became iconic, establishing him as one of the most recognizable actors of his generation. His commitment to roles, particularly those of Superman and Geralt of Rivia, earned him both critical praise and a strong fan following. His future in Hollywood continues to be marked by high-profile roles, including his involvement in the *Warhammer 40,000* franchise through Amazon Studios.
Personal Life
In addition to his acting career, Cavill is known for his philanthropy, supporting various causes including children's charities and animal rights. He has also been involved in fitness and bodybuilding, maintaining a public persona centered around physical health and wellness.
Filmography
Films
- The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)
- Stardust (2007)
- Immortals (2011)
- Man of Steel (2013)
- Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
- Justice League (2017)
- Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)
- Enola Holmes (2020)
- Enola Holmes 2 (2022)
- Argylle (2024)
Television
- The Tudors (2007–2010)
- The Witcher (2019–2023)
See Also
- List of actors from Jersey
- DC Extended Universe
- The Witcher (TV series)