Taron Egerton

Taron Egerton was born on 10 November 1989 in Birkenhead, Merseyside, but moved to Wales as a child and was raised on the island of Anglesey. He attended Ysgol David Hughes in Menai Bridge, where he developed an early interest in drama. He later trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, graduating in 2012 with a BA in Acting. During his time at RADA, he performed in stage productions such as The Duchess of Malfi and The Last of the Haussmans, honing the classical technique that would underpin his screen work. His Welsh upbringing and bilingual background have remained a noted part of his public identity, and he has spoken about the importance of his roots in shaping his career choices.

Egerton's professional screen debut came in 2013 with a small role in the television series The Smoke, but his breakthrough arrived in 2014 when he was cast as Gary 'Eggsy' Unwin in Matthew Vaughn's Kingsman: The Secret Service. The film, based on the comic book by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons, was a global hit and established Egerton as a leading action star. He reprised the role in the 2017 sequel Kingsman: The Golden Circle and in the 2021 prequel The King's Man (in a cameo). The franchise's blend of stylised violence and British wit showcased his physicality and comedic timing. He also lent his voice to the animated film Sing (2016) and its 2021 sequel, playing the gorilla Johnny, a role that highlighted his singing ability before his musical turn in Rocketman.

Egerton's portrayal of Elton John in Rocketman (2019), directed by Dexter Fletcher, was a career-defining performance. He sang all of the film's songs himself, a departure from typical musical biopics that use the original artist's recordings. His performance earned him the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and a BAFTA nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Critics praised his ability to capture John's vulnerability and flamboyance without resorting to imitation. Egerton also performed a duet with John on the song '(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again', which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. The role cemented his reputation as a versatile actor capable of carrying a big-budget musical, and he later starred in the Apple TV+ series Black Bird (2022), earning a Primetime Emmy nomination for his portrayal of a convicted murderer.

Beyond his marquee roles, Egerton has a range of lesser-known credits and interests. He voiced the character of John in the animated film Sing, and he performed the song 'I'm Still Standing' for the film's soundtrack. He also appeared in the 2018 heist film Robin Hood, a critical and commercial failure that he later acknowledged as a learning experience. Egerton is a trained stage actor and has expressed interest in returning to theatre; he made his West End debut in 2024 in a revival of The Pillowman at the Duke of York's Theatre. He is also a keen singer and has released several covers on social media. In 2023, he starred in the Netflix film Tetris, playing Dutch video game designer Henk Rogers, a role that required him to adopt a Dutch accent. Egerton has been open about his struggles with anxiety and has used his platform to advocate for mental health awareness.

RADA

Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, a prestigious drama school in London.

Kingsman

A film franchise based on the comic book 'The Secret Service', featuring a secret spy organisation.

Rocketman

A 2019 biographical musical film about Elton John, starring Taron Egerton.