"When the story begins, Merry is in the prime of life, he's having fun and he's well liked. He's really just one of the lads. Then, as the journey unfolds, he finds himself in situations where he has to look after people or make decisions that a hobbit would never normally have to make."
QUICK BIO
BIOGRAPHY
Monaghan, has been a fan of Tolkien’s books ever since his father, Austin Monaghan, introduced him first to The Hobbit and then to its sequel. “Dad described The Lord of the Rings as a challenge,” he recalls, “but said that it was well worth reading and he was right!”
The German-born English Actor is Son to Austin and Maureen Monaghan, with an Matthew (Lead singer of the indie band, Radiosepia) as his elder brother. He lived in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart and Münster, moving about every 4 years. At the age of 11, he moved to Heaton Moor, Stockport, England. Which makes his fist language English, but he also speaks some German.
He attended St Anne’s Roman Catholic High School (where his uncle taught and later became head teacher). After his second year at St Anne’s, he became a regular in school plays such as Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol and Bugsy Malone, before he joined the Manchester Youth Theatre. Later, Monaghan joined Aquinas College, where he studied English literature, drama and geography.
The German-born English Actor is Son to Austin and Maureen Monaghan, with an Matthew (Lead singer of the indie band, Radiosepia) as his elder brother. He lived in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart and Münster, moving about every 4 years. At the age of 11, he moved to Heaton Moor, Stockport, England. Which makes his fist language English, but he also speaks some German.
He attended St Anne’s Roman Catholic High School (where his uncle taught and later became head teacher). After his second year at St Anne’s, he became a regular in school plays such as Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol and Bugsy Malone, before he joined the Manchester Youth Theatre. Later, Monaghan joined Aquinas College, where he studied English literature, drama and geography.
Although Monaghan held many occupations when he was younger, it was always acting that he wanted to do. Especially after watching his favorite film series, Star Wars.
Shortly after Monaghan auditioned for The Lord of the Rings, he was, he says “really excited and really nervous!.” Later, Monaghan got the role of Merry. He achieved international acclaim and success for his role on Rings. At a whooping 5’7”, he was the tallest Hobbit. In 2004, Monaghan audition for the hit television series, Lost. He originally auditioned for the role of Sawyer. He was then given the role of Charlie Pace, which the producers changed from an old, washed up rocker from the 1980’s, to a young one-hit wonder in order to accommodate Monaghan’s age. |
Monaghan has a fascination with tattoos…
RIGHT ARM: The word ‘nine’ in a Tengwar script. This was to commemorate his time in The Lord of the Rings and his role in the Fellowship
Below that, reads “Life Imitates Art”, an Oscar Wilde quote.
LEFT ARM: “Living Is Easy With Eyes Closed” a line from the Beatles song, ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’
LEFT FOOT: A black star and a white star
UPPER BACK: In 2010, Monaghan got the lyrics “Love You Take Is Equal To The Love You Make”, taken from the song ‘The End’ by the Beatles
LOWER RIGHT ARM: Also done in 2010, by Kat Von D on the TV show La Ink, which reads ‘Luminous Beings Are We, Not This Crude Matter’ a quote by Yoda (Star Wars)
Below that, reads “Life Imitates Art”, an Oscar Wilde quote.
LEFT ARM: “Living Is Easy With Eyes Closed” a line from the Beatles song, ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’
LEFT FOOT: A black star and a white star
UPPER BACK: In 2010, Monaghan got the lyrics “Love You Take Is Equal To The Love You Make”, taken from the song ‘The End’ by the Beatles
LOWER RIGHT ARM: Also done in 2010, by Kat Von D on the TV show La Ink, which reads ‘Luminous Beings Are We, Not This Crude Matter’ a quote by Yoda (Star Wars)
After Rings, Monaghan and co-star Billy Boyd (Pippin) became good friends. They are currently working on script, and it was Monaghan that provided the inspiration for the naming of Boyd’s band, Beecake, after he sent a picture of a cake covered in bee’s.
He now resides in Los Angeles, California
He now resides in Los Angeles, California
AWARDS
Dominic Monaghan unfortunately hasn't won any awards for his work, except for cast awards (COMING SOON!)
YEAR
|
WORK
|
AWARD
|
CATEGORY
|
RESULT
|
2002
|
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
|
Empire Awards
|
Best Debut (Shared With Billy Boyd)
|
Nominated
|
MOST NOTABLE MILESTONES
1996 - 1998
1997 2004 - 2009 2005 2008 2009 2010 2012 |
Monaghan was scouted for Hetty Waithropp Investigates, where he played Hetty’s under-age sidekick, Geoffrey Showcross, for four series.
Made his feature film-debut as Russian sailor, Sasha, in the TV film Hostile Waters Was in a relationship with fellow Lost star, Evangeline Lilly (Who also plays Tauriel in The Hobbit) Narrated Ringers: Lord of the Fans, a documentary about The Lord of the Rings fandom Provided the narration for The Discovery Channel’s documentary, Devil’s Bible Monaghan held a photographic exhibit in Los Angeles, in which he sold prints of his own work. A portion of the proceeds went to an orangutan rescue organization Monaghan, along with Lilly, travelled to film the pilot of the American version of CQC Starred in X-Men Origins: Wolverine On the 15th July, it was confirmed that Monaghan would join the cast of the ABC Studios’ science fiction TV series FlashForward, as the character Simon. It was premiered on 24th September, and after the first season it was cancelled. Appeared in Soldiers of Fortune, with Christian Slater and fellow Lord of the Rings star, Sean Bean On 18th March, he was spotted at the Universal Sheraton, filming a short called Gloria. It was part of a programme called REESES Puff’s Extraordinary Cinema (Where the teens replace the pros). He played the part of Caleb Reese. Appeared in Eminem’s music video, ‘Love The Way You Lie’, with Megan Fox. The two had to portray an abusive relationship. A new show on Channel 5, Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan, began airing. The series showed Monaghan travelling to various locations such as Venezuela and Ecuador to film and interact with exotic and often dangerous local wildlife. |
DOMINIC MONAGHAN PORTRAYS:
MERIADOC 'MERRY' BRANDYBUCK
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy