“I think he sees in Bilbo someone who is isolated among the Company of Dwarves just as he is initially rather isolated. He doesn’t have much communication with the other, classier Dwarves or with his own folk, since Bifur only ever speaks in old Dwarvish and Bombur is too busy eating to talk much at all. Also Bofur sees and respects something noble and courageous in Bilbo’s character."
QUICK BIO
BIOGRAPHY
Born to a Northern Irish family, where his father, James ‘Jim’ Nesbitt was the headmaster of the primary school in Lisnamurrican; and his mother May Nesbitt worked as a civil servant. He has three siblings; Margaret, Kathryn and Andrea. James Nesbitt grew up in the nearby village of Broughshane, before moving to Coleraine, County Londonderry.
Nesbitt’s first point of education was actually taught by his father. Later on he wanted to follow his father’s footsteps and become a teacher (he also had aspirations to play football for Manchester United), so he began a degree in French at the University of Ulster. A year later he realized teaching wasn’t for him so he dropped out and went to the Central School of Speech and Drama, and graduated in 1987.
When Nesbitt was 15, he got his first paid job as a bingo caller at Barry’s Amusements in Portrush. He was paid £1 per hour for the summer job and would also, on occasions, work as the brake man on the big dipper.
Nesbitt’s first point of education was actually taught by his father. Later on he wanted to follow his father’s footsteps and become a teacher (he also had aspirations to play football for Manchester United), so he began a degree in French at the University of Ulster. A year later he realized teaching wasn’t for him so he dropped out and went to the Central School of Speech and Drama, and graduated in 1987.
When Nesbitt was 15, he got his first paid job as a bingo caller at Barry’s Amusements in Portrush. He was paid £1 per hour for the summer job and would also, on occasions, work as the brake man on the big dipper.
Nesbitt received his Equity Card when the professional actor playing Jiminy Cricket in Pinocchio (1981) broke his ankle two days before the performance, and Nesbitt stepped in.
Nesbitt is no stranger to theatre, he has performed in plays that varied from the musical Up on the Roof (1987-1989) to the political drama Paddywack (1994), and has been in various Shakespeare productions.
Nesbitt prides himself on his heritage, and therefore deems it important to keep his accent when working.
He is married to former actress Sonia Forbes-Adam, and together they have two daughters. His daughters, Peggy and Mary Nesbitt starred in The Hobbit also.
Between 2001 and 2007, Nesbitt portrayed Tommy Murphy, an undercover detective in Murphy’s Law. The writer, Colin Bateman, wrote this role specifically for Nesbitt.
Nesbitt is no stranger to theatre, he has performed in plays that varied from the musical Up on the Roof (1987-1989) to the political drama Paddywack (1994), and has been in various Shakespeare productions.
Nesbitt prides himself on his heritage, and therefore deems it important to keep his accent when working.
He is married to former actress Sonia Forbes-Adam, and together they have two daughters. His daughters, Peggy and Mary Nesbitt starred in The Hobbit also.
Between 2001 and 2007, Nesbitt portrayed Tommy Murphy, an undercover detective in Murphy’s Law. The writer, Colin Bateman, wrote this role specifically for Nesbitt.
Since 2005, Nesbitt has been a UNICEF UK ambassador, working with HIV and AIDS sufferers, and former child soldiers in Africa. Which he finds a privilege. He also works with A Patron of Wave, which is a charity set up to support those traumatized by ‘the troubles’ in Northern Ireland. The charity was nearly forced to close down till Nesbitt got the support of celebrities and artists.
Some of his earlier work before The Hobbit includes; Hear My Song (1991), Waking Ned (1998), Lucky Break (2001), Bloody Sunday (2002), Five Minutes of Heaven (2009), Coriolanus (2011) and Jekyll (2007).
Nesbitt did a video audition for his role on The Hobbit, it was pretty rough looking which was unintentional. He hadn’t been working for a while so hadn’t had a shave and had a bit of growth around his chin. Maybe unknowingly and subconsciously he was growing a Dwarven beard. Before he knew it, he was meeting with Peter and the producers in London.
Some of his earlier work before The Hobbit includes; Hear My Song (1991), Waking Ned (1998), Lucky Break (2001), Bloody Sunday (2002), Five Minutes of Heaven (2009), Coriolanus (2011) and Jekyll (2007).
Nesbitt did a video audition for his role on The Hobbit, it was pretty rough looking which was unintentional. He hadn’t been working for a while so hadn’t had a shave and had a bit of growth around his chin. Maybe unknowingly and subconsciously he was growing a Dwarven beard. Before he knew it, he was meeting with Peter and the producers in London.
When he first heard about The Hobbit, Nesbitt was uncertain about the prospect of a lengthy production, and being on the other side of the world. He hadn’t actually ever read the novel till he was cast as Bofur. He thought he would be the least likely actor to be in The Hobbit, but is probably the happiest of everyone!
James Nesbitt is also a presenter and has presented the Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) Awards ceremony for three consecutive years between 2005 and 2007, the British Independent Film Awards from 2005 to 2010 and the National Movie Awards in 2008 and 2010. In 2009 he hosted the Laurence Olivier Awards.
He is also a comedian in Ireland.Nesbitt received his Equity Card when the professional actor playing Jiminy Cricket in Pinocchio (1981) broke his ankle two days before the performance, and Nesbitt stepped in.
Nesbitt is no stranger to theatre, he has performed in plays that varied from the musical Up on the Roof (1987-1989) to the political drama Paddywack (1994), and has been in various Shakespeare productions.
James Nesbitt is also a presenter and has presented the Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) Awards ceremony for three consecutive years between 2005 and 2007, the British Independent Film Awards from 2005 to 2010 and the National Movie Awards in 2008 and 2010. In 2009 he hosted the Laurence Olivier Awards.
He is also a comedian in Ireland.Nesbitt received his Equity Card when the professional actor playing Jiminy Cricket in Pinocchio (1981) broke his ankle two days before the performance, and Nesbitt stepped in.
Nesbitt is no stranger to theatre, he has performed in plays that varied from the musical Up on the Roof (1987-1989) to the political drama Paddywack (1994), and has been in various Shakespeare productions.
Nesbitt prides himself on his heritage, and therefore deems it important to keep his accent when working.
He is married to former actress Sonia Forbes-Adam, and together they have two daughters. His daughters, Peggy and Mary Nesbitt starred in The Hobbit also.
Between 2001 and 2007, Nesbitt portrayed Tommy Murphy, an undercover detective in Murphy’s Law. The writer, Colin Bateman, wrote this role specifically for Nesbitt.
Since 2005, Nesbitt has been a UNICEF UK ambassador, working with HIV and AIDS sufferers, and former child soldiers in Africa. Which he finds a privilege. He also works with A Patron of Wave, which is a charity set up to support those traumatized by ‘the troubles’ in Northern Ireland. The charity was nearly forced to close down till Nesbitt got the support of celebrities and artists.
He is married to former actress Sonia Forbes-Adam, and together they have two daughters. His daughters, Peggy and Mary Nesbitt starred in The Hobbit also.
Between 2001 and 2007, Nesbitt portrayed Tommy Murphy, an undercover detective in Murphy’s Law. The writer, Colin Bateman, wrote this role specifically for Nesbitt.
Since 2005, Nesbitt has been a UNICEF UK ambassador, working with HIV and AIDS sufferers, and former child soldiers in Africa. Which he finds a privilege. He also works with A Patron of Wave, which is a charity set up to support those traumatized by ‘the troubles’ in Northern Ireland. The charity was nearly forced to close down till Nesbitt got the support of celebrities and artists.
Some of his earlier work before The Hobbit includes; Hear My Song (1991), Waking Ned (1998), Lucky Break (2001), Bloody Sunday (2002), Five Minutes of Heaven (2009), Coriolanus (2011) and Jekyll (2007).
Nesbitt did a video audition for his role on The Hobbit, it was pretty rough looking which was unintentional. He hadn’t been working for a while so hadn’t had a shave and had a bit of growth around his chin. Maybe unknowingly and subconsciously he was growing a Dwarven beard. Before he knew it, he was meeting with Peter and the producers in London.
When he first heard about The Hobbit, Nesbitt was uncertain about the prospect of a lengthy production, and being on the other side of the world. He hadn’t actually ever read the novel till he was cast as Bofur. He thought he would be the least likely actor to be in The Hobbit, but is probably the happiest of everyone!
James Nesbitt is also a presenter and has presented the Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) Awards ceremony for three consecutive years between 2005 and 2007, the British Independent Film Awards from 2005 to 2010 and the National Movie Awards in 2008 and 2010. In 2009 he hosted the Laurence Olivier Awards.
He is also a comedian in Ireland.
Nesbitt did a video audition for his role on The Hobbit, it was pretty rough looking which was unintentional. He hadn’t been working for a while so hadn’t had a shave and had a bit of growth around his chin. Maybe unknowingly and subconsciously he was growing a Dwarven beard. Before he knew it, he was meeting with Peter and the producers in London.
When he first heard about The Hobbit, Nesbitt was uncertain about the prospect of a lengthy production, and being on the other side of the world. He hadn’t actually ever read the novel till he was cast as Bofur. He thought he would be the least likely actor to be in The Hobbit, but is probably the happiest of everyone!
James Nesbitt is also a presenter and has presented the Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) Awards ceremony for three consecutive years between 2005 and 2007, the British Independent Film Awards from 2005 to 2010 and the National Movie Awards in 2008 and 2010. In 2009 he hosted the Laurence Olivier Awards.
He is also a comedian in Ireland.
AWARDS
YEAR
|
WORK
|
AWARD
|
CATEGORY
|
RESULT
|
1999
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2007 2008 2010 |
Cold Feet
Cold Feet Cold Feet Cold Feet Bloody Sunday Murphy's Law Cold Feet The Canterbury Tales Wall of Silence Murphy's Law Murphy's Law Jekyll Jekyll Murphy's Law Midnight Man Occupation Five Minutes of Heaven Outcast |
British Comedy Award
British Comedy Award British Comedy Award Television and Radio Industries Club Award British Independent Film Award Stockholm International Film Festival Award Irish Film & Television Award TV Quick Awards National Television Award National Television Award Irish Film & Television Award Irish Film & Television Award Irish Film & Television Award Golden Globe Award Rose d'Or ITV3 Crime Thriller Award ITV3 Crime Thriller Award Broadcasting Press Guild Award Broadcasting Press Guild Award New York City Horror Film Festival Award |
Best TV Comedy Actor
Best TV Comedy Actor Best TV Comedy Actor Drama TV - Performer of the Year Best Performance by an Actor in a British Independent FIlm Best Actor Best Actor in a TV Drama Best Actor Most Popular Comedy Performance Most Popular Actor Best Actor in a TV Drama Best Actor in Television Best Actor In A Lead Role in Television Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture for Television Best Entertainer Best Actor Best Actor Best Actor Best Actor Best Actor |
Nominated
WON Nominated WON WON Nominated WON WON WON Nominated Nominated Nominated Nominated Nominated Nominated Nominated Nominated Nominated Nominated WON |
MOST NOTABLE MILESTONES
1978:
1984: 1987: 1989: 1991: 1998: 2001 2002 2003 2009 2010 2012 2013 2014 |
At the age of 13, Nesbitt’s parents took him to audition for the Riverside Theatre’s Christmas production of Oliver! He sang Bohemian Rhapsody at the audition, and that won him the role of Artful Dodger, who he played in his acting debut
Appeared in festivals and as an extra in Play For Today: The Cry Graduated the Central School of Speech and Drama in London Met his wife, Sonia Forbes-Adam, when he went to the callback for Hamlet at Loughborough Hall. Had his debut in film as a talent agent in Hear My Song Had a breakthrough with television in the comedy drama Cold Feet as Adam Williams. First significant film role as a pig farmer, ‘Pig’, in Waking Ned, where they ensemble was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award. The film Lucky Break made his debut as lead actor, playing prisoner Jimmy Hands Portrayed Ivan Cooper in the television film Bloody Sunday, about the 1972 shootings in Derry. A departure from his previous “cheeky chappie” roles, the film was a turning point in his career. A true fan of football, in good gesture Nesbitt donated thousands of pounds, when Coleraine, a Northern Irish semi-professional football club, was looking to close after bankruptcy. Co-starred with Liam Neeson in Five Minutes of Heaven Got the opportunity to play one of three leads in the television miniseries, Occupation Accepted the ceremonial position of Chancellor of the University of Ulster Nesbitt is co-owner of National Hunt racehorse 'Riverside Theatre', named after the theatre of the University of Ulster in Coleraine, which won the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Produced a documentary video to New Zealand where Peter Jackson was involved. It was entitled, River Deep, Mountain High: James Nesbitt in New Zealand James Nesbitt has a variety of work he is currently working on or just finished working on such as Gold (Feature Film), The Missing (TV Miniseries), Babylon (TV Movie) and Inspector Lewis (TV Series) |
JAMES NESBITT PORTRAYS:
BOFUR
The Hobbit Trilogy
The Hobbit Trilogy