Daniel Craig Datastream Full Name: Daniel Wroughton Craig Date of Birth: 2nd March 1968 Place of Birth: Cheshire, England Height: 5’ 10” (1.78m) Also Famous For: Layer Cake, Tomb Raider Active Duty: 2005-present Only Bond: He is the first Bond actor to have been born after the Bond series began Bondography 2006 - Casino Royale 2008 - Quantum of Solace 2010 - Blood Stone (voice & likeness) 2010 - GoldenEye 007 (voice & likeness) 2011 - GoldenEye Reloaded (voice & likeness) 2012 - Skyfall “Sean Connery set and defined the character. He did something extraordinary with that role. He was bad, sexy, animalistic and stylish, and it is because of him I am here today. I wanted Sean Connery’s approval and he sent me messages of support, which meant a lot to me.”

Biography
Daniel Wroughton Craig was born on the 2nd of March 1968 to Tim and Carol Craig in Chester, England. The younger of two siblings, Daniel grew up in Chester and moved to Liverpool - after his parents’ split - where he attended Hilbre High School. During his childhood, Craig’s father worked as a merchant sailor, a steel erector and the landlord of a Cheshire pub. Young Daniel was inspired to pursue the dramatic arts after regular visits to the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool with his mother. Daniel Craig was following the Bond franchise as early as ’73, when his father took him to see Roger Moore’s first 007 outing in “Live And Let Die”.

In 1984, as a young 16-year-old, Craig moved to London to participate in the National Youth Theatre. He won his first lead and made his stage debut in “Troilus and Cressida” and was invited to tour with the troupe to Eastern Europe and Russia. In the late ‘80s, Craig decided to enrol in a London drama-school - attending audition after audition before being accepted at Guildhall School of Music of Drama in 1988. Craig thrived in drama school, after struggling with the day-to-day nature of college, and attended classes with the likes of Ewan McGregor and Rhys Ifans.

Craig graduated college in 1992, but even before this he won his first on-screen role in “The Power of One”, the John G. Avildsen film based on the famous novel by Bryce Courtenay. Out of drama-school Craig jumped at the chance to perform roles in a variety of BBC features including “Sharpe’s Eagle” and “Zorro” but failed to break into the US or movie market - however the charming Brit actor would not have to wait long.

Daniel Craig began his American career by adding “Young Indiana Jones” and “Drop The Dead Donkey” to his quickly growing CV. While these credits would not bring critical acclaim, Craig eventually landed a lucrative role that would help him successfully break into the American market, the role of Master Kane in Disney’s “A Kid in King Arthur’s Court”.

During this period Craig became engaged and married to the Scottish actress Fiona Loudon, with whom he had one daughter before their eventual devoice in 1994. Craig’s daughter Ella lives with her mother in London. Daniel Craig has stipulated in many an interview that while he’s happy to discuss every facet of filmmaking, he remains that his private life should be just that - private.

As his career developed, Daniel Craig began to make a name for himself in UK television and theatre, performing onstage in the original run of “Angels in America” and various other productions with the Royal National Theatre.

In 1996, after hard work and a huge variety of roles, Craig landed a role in the successful TV mini-series “Our Friends In The North” in which the aspiring actor played the lead role of George Peacock, alongside Christopher Eccleston and Mark Strong. Thanks to this role, the 007-to-be began to raise his credentials among critics and lose his “freshman” status - which only encouraged Craig to widen his dramatic range and critical accomplishment. That same year, he performed in “Saint-Ex”, the story of Antoine de Saint-Exupery in which Craig portrays the author-come-pilot’s best friend, Guillaumet. “I've been working so hard, for however long it is I've been doing this, to try and stick to doing stuff I totally believe in and that would be wiped out. I thought, God, this is all right: I'm doing what I want to do. And that was a huge weight off my shoulders” - Craig on 007

In the late 1990’s he gained a wide variety of experience in all corners of the dramatic scene, performing in the likes of erotic vampire series "The Hunger”, and dramatic period biopic “Elizabeth” - where Daniel Craig performed opposite Cate Blanchette and again, Christopher Eccleston.

The turn of the century saw Craig make a break in Hollywood when he made the role of Alex West in fantasy adventure “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider”. Although he reported later that he regretted the role, the big-budget action picture, added to Craig’s diverse collection of characters and saw him performing some action sequences - something that he’s proved particularly good at. His next blockbuster proved a meatier plotline and one which would catch critics attention. In 2002 Craig successfully took on a role in Sam Mendes’ graphic novel adaptation, “Road to Perdition”.

The following years saw a host of varying role, including the un-named lead in Mathew Vaughn’s debut directorial picture “Layer Cake”. Daniel Craig gives a stellar performance in the mobster outing and acts opposite some big British stars, including Michael Gambon. The same year, Craig teamed up with Roger Mitchell to make the dramatic “Enduring Love”.

Without leaping directly into Hollywood, Craig had caught the attention of many in the movie game - carefully selecting roles he felt suit his character, advance his career and would be appropriate for his status as a modern actor. Despite somewhat classical training, Daniel Craig’s style of drama is entirely modern and keeping with the mantle of a budding master of the silver screen.

When Craig signed on to the multi-million dollar James Bond franchise he threw himself into the spotlight. From the word go, and the 14th of October 2005, Daniel Craig was well and truly capturing press attention. His jet-boat appearance (thanks to the British navy) and press-packed photo call was the beginning of the big time for the new 007 actor.

“This is what I do for a living. If I don’t take on challenges like this, then what’s the point?”

Craig underwent press and fan scrutiny in the weeks and months leading up to the 21st Bond outing “Casino Royale”. For a period he bore the brunt of speculation from a range of sources and oftentimes ridiculous rumours- but actions speak far louder than words. “Casino Royale” saw a dazzling return for Bond and a fresh, new direction for the franchise, in a large part thanks to Craig himself.

Although now a respected Hollywood performer, Craig maintains that 007 will not alter his love for dynamic and differing roles in television and theatre as well as feature length films. Throughout his career Daniel Craig has pledged his support to the UK based charity, Barnardo's, who help children to lead the lives they deserve.

Awards Best actor for “Casino Royale” at the 2007 Empire Awards Best actor for “Casino Royale” at the 2007 Evening Standard Awards Best actor of the year for “Enduring Love” at the 2005 London Critics Circle Best foreign actor for “Casino Royale” & “Enduring Love” at the 2007 Sant Jordi Awards Best actor for “Some Voiced” at the 2000 British Independent Film Awards Best British performance for “Love is the Devil” at the 1998 Edinburgh Film Festival   Extended Filmography The Power of One” (1992) - Buy Now A Kid in King Arthur’s Court” (1995) - Buy Now Obsession” (1997) - Buy Now Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” (2001) - Buy Now Road To Perdition” (2002) - Buy Now Layer Cake” (2004) - Buy Now Munich” (2005) - Buy Now The Golden Compass” (2007) - Buy Now Biographies Daniel Craig - Ultimate Professional - Pre-Order Daniel Craig - The Biography - Buy Now