Charlie Hunnam, born Charles Matthew Hunnam on April 10, 1980, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, is a renowned English actor and screenwriter.
Raised in a working-class family, his early life was shaped by his parents’ separation when he was two years old.
His mother, Jane Bell, a former ballet dancer and business owner, and his father, William “Billy” Hunnam, a scrap metal merchant and reputed gangster who passed away in 2013, provided a complex backdrop to his upbringing.
Hunnam’s artistic inclinations were influenced by his maternal grandmother, a prominent portrait artist in Newcastle, and his mother’s creative pursuits.
His rebellious streak and passion for the arts led him to pursue acting after being discovered at 17 in a JD Sports store while playfully shopping with his brother.
Hunnam’s charisma, rugged charm, and dedication to his craft have since made him a household name, particularly for his iconic portrayal of Jackson “Jax” Teller in the FX series Sons of Anarchy.
Siblings
Charlie has one older biological brother, William “Billy” Hunnam, and two younger half-brothers, Oliver and Christian, from his mother’s second marriage.
William, often described as a significant influence in Charlie’s life, shared the challenges of their Newcastle upbringing, navigating a world marked by their father’s tough reputation and their mother’s artistic environment.
While less is known publicly about Oliver and Christian, Charlie has spoken fondly of his younger half-brothers, expressing a protective instinct over them.
Career
Hunnam’s career began with his debut as Jason in Byker Grove at 17, followed by a breakout role as Nathan Maloney in the groundbreaking Channel 4 drama Queer as Folk (1999–2000), which earned him recognition for portraying a confident yet vulnerable teenager.
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Moving to the United States, he took on roles in films like Nicholas Nickleby (2002), where he played the titular role, and Cold Mountain (2003), portraying a psychotic lieutenant.
His role as Pete Dunham in Green Street Hooligans (2005) caught the attention of Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter, leading to Hunnam’s defining role as Jax Teller in the FX series (2008–2014).
The show, centered on an outlaw motorcycle club, became a cultural phenomenon, with Hunnam’s intense performance earning critical acclaim.
His film career expanded with leading roles in Pacific Rim (2013) as Raleigh Becket, The Lost City of Z (2016) as explorer Percy Fawcett, and King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017) as Arthur Pendragon.
Other notable projects include Crimson Peak (2015), Triple Frontier (2019), The Gentlemen (2019), and Last Looks (2022).
Hunnam also starred in the Apple TV+ series Shantaram (2022) and joined Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon saga (2023–2024).
Beyond acting, Hunnam is a screenwriter, having sold his screenplay Vlad to Summit Entertainment and developing a project about drug lord Edgar Valdez Villareal.
Accolades
Hunnam’s talent has been recognized with several prestigious nominations and awards.
For his role as Jax Teller in Sons of Anarchy, he received two Critics’ Choice Television Award nominations for Best Actor in a Drama Series, highlighting his ability to portray complex, emotionally layered characters.
He also earned three EWwy Award nominations for Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series and a PAAFTJ Award nomination for Best Cast in a Drama Series, underscoring the show’s ensemble strength.
In 2014, Hunnam won a Huading Award for Best Global Emerging Actor for his role in Pacific Rim, a testament to the film’s success in Asian markets and his growing international appeal.
Additionally, he received a CinemaCon Award for Male Star of the Year in 2017, recognizing his rising prominence in Hollywood following King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.
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