A British-born actor, Tom Holland, first stepped into the spotlight in the theatrical production ‘Billy Elliot the Musical.’ His fame escalated when he took on the globally recognizable role of Spider-Man in 2016.
Who is Tom Holland?
Tom Holland, born in England in 1996, began his career on stage with the London production of ‘Billy Elliot the Musical’ back in 2008. His debut film role in ‘The Impossible’ (2012) garnered praise from critics and established him as a young talent to watch. His biggest break came when he was selected to fill the shoes of Peter Parker/Spider-Man, first appearing in ‘Captain America: Civil War’ (2016). His impressive performance led to his standalone film, ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ (2017).
Tom Holland Age
27 Years
Tom Holland Height
Tom Holland stands at a height of 5 feet 8 inches.
A Close Look at His Film Work
After finishing his stint in ‘Billy Elliot,’ Holland lent his voice for the character Sho in the British adaptation of ‘The Secret World of Arrietty’ (2010). But it was his portrayal in ‘The Impossible’ (2012) that solidified his position in the film industry, earning him several award nominations.
At the age of 13, Holland auditioned for the lead role of the eldest son in ‘The Impossible.’
Spider-Man: A New Face
After a role in the film ‘How I Live Now’ (2013) and a supporting part in the BBC historical series ‘Wolf Hall’ (2015), Holland’s career took a significant turn. He was chosen to play the young Peter Parker in the latest ‘Spider-Man’ reboot. Unlike Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, who portrayed Spider-Man in their mid-to-late 20s, Holland, at 19, was a much closer fit to the age of the comic book character.
‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ and ‘Far From Home’
In 2016, Holland’s Spider-Man made his first appearance in ‘Captain America: Civil War.’ Despite his brief screen presence, he received positive reviews for his portrayal of the web-slinging superhero. These positive reviews set the stage for his well-received performances in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ (2017), ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018), ‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019), and ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ (2019).
Other Notable Films
Alongside his superhero duties, Holland took on roles in other films. Although ‘In the Heart of the Sea’ (2015) wasn’t a box-office success, it gave Holland another opportunity to showcase his talent under challenging shooting conditions. He also had significant roles in ‘Edge of Winter’ (2016) and ‘The Lost City of Z’ (2016), and he took center stage in the action drama ‘Pilgrimage’ (2017).
‘Spies in Disguise,’ and ‘Dolittle’
Holland collaborated with Will Smith in late 2019 for the animated epic, Spies in Disguise. He continued his voice work by playing Jip the dog in the celebrity-packed Dolittle (2020). In the pipeline, he had another prominent voice role in Pixar’s Onward.
Upcoming Film Projects
Holland’s future cinematic lineup includes starring roles in Chaos Walking, a screen rendition of Patrick Ness’s popular young adult series, and the psychological thriller The Devil All the Time.
Personal Background
Holland’s educational journey included stints at Donhead Preparatory School, Wimbledon College, and the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology in England. His brother Harry also ventured into acting, securing the role of Prince Harry of Wales in the 2013 biopic Diana. An avid social media user, Holland often shares videos showcasing acrobatic stunts, boxing prowess, and moments with his pitbull, Tessa.
Early Life and Role in ‘Billy Elliot’
Thomas Stanley Holland, born on June 1, 1996, in Kingston-upon-Thames, England, is the eldest of four sons in a creative family with a photographer mother, Nicola, and comedian-author father, Dominic.
Holland started attending hip-hop dance classes at Nifty Feet Dance Studio. The studio’s owner, Lynne Page, also a choreographer for the film Billy Elliot (2000), guided Holland towards an audition for Billy Elliot the Musical after seeing him perform at the 2006 Richmond Dance Festival.
Despite lacking formal training in ballet or drama, Holland’s inherent talent and charisma swayed Billy Elliot’s director Stephen Daldry at the audition. After two years of ballet instruction, Holland first appeared in the West End production in June 2008 as Billy’s best friend, Michael. He subsequently took over the lead role, impressing audiences with his gymnastic skills until May 2010.
