Clive Owen

Born Oct. 3, 1964, in Coventry, England, Clive Owen was hooked on acting at an early age after appearing as Artful Dodger in a production of "Oliver." After college, Owen spent several years with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and the Young Vic Theatre.

He made his film debut in 1988's Vroom and soon became a TV star in the BBC's "Chancer." In the '90s, Owen alternated between theatre and offbeat films such as Close My Eyes and Bent. With 1998's The Croupier, Owen gained U.S. attention; his stock rose further with Gosford Park, The Bourne Identity, King Arthur and BMW's "The Hire" short film series.

Owen's 2004 big-screen re-creation of his 1997 stage success, "Closer," earned him a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor and fueled speculation that he could be tapped to succeed Pierce Brosnan as James Bond.

Filmography