Jamie Dornan: 15 Things You Need to Know About the 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Star
Playing Christian Grey in Universal's "Fifty Shades of Grey" has been a life-altering experience for Northern Ireland-born actor Jamie Dornan, 32 -- and one that's sure to make him a household name. But there's much more to the man behind the bad-boy billionaire than this role. In honor of the film release on Feb. 13, 2015, here are 15 things everyone should know about the burgeoning movie star. Keep clicking ...
Jamie Dornan: 15 Things You Need to Know About the 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Star
15. He feels "uncomfortable" without a beard. Jamie Dornan is rarely without facial hair these days, much to our dismay. He says it's because he still sees himself as a skinny, baby-faced boy. "I feel uncomfortable without it," he told the Guardian. "I find myself moving differently. I don't like myself without a beard."
Jamie Dornan: 15 Things You Need to Know About the 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Star
14. He first found fame as a model. Jamie Dornan made jaws drop with his underwear campaigns for Calvin Klein (Justin Bieber might want to take notes) and The New York Times even dubbed him "The Golden Torso," a nickname he finds hilarious. "What does that mean? Is it a color reference? I think it is meant to be a compliment. I hope it is," he told the Telegraph, adding that the thing he remembers most about those shoots was "a lot of people rubbing me down with dark, oily tanning stuff -- I mean, I'm a white Irish guy, it was a problem."
Jamie Dornan: 15 Things You Need to Know About the 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Star
13. He used to date Keira Knightley. Jamie Dornan and his first famous love split in 2005 after two years together. When British media asked Keira (here with Jamie in 2004) what she thought about her ex being cast as Christian Grey, she giggled and gave him her support. "Well, he's a very good-looking boy," she said. "I'm sure the girls will love him."
Jamie Dornan: 15 Things You Need to Know About the 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Star
12. Sorry, folks, he's taken. Jamie Dornan married actress and singer Amelia Warner in April 2013 and they welcomed a daughter, whose name he's declined to share, in late 2013 -- three days before "Fifty Shades of Grey" started filming. "She's dream stuff. It's amazing," Jamie told British Vogue of his wife. Amelia once had a high-profile romance with another Irish star, Colin Farrell. Though they had a wedding ceremony in Tahiti in 2001, she later revealed it wasn't legal.
Jamie Dornan: 15 Things You Need to Know About the 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Star
11. The extreme character of Christian Grey is far from his most intense role. "Becoming a dad is the best thing that ever happened to me -- to us -- and it's an extremely joyful situation," Jamie Dornan told Ireland's Independent newspaper in early February 2015. "Every day seems to get better and I know it's the most important role in my life. It's an intense role." He also told Glamour that he and wife Amelia Warner, who welcomed their daughter in late 2013, "want more babies.
Jamie Dornan: 15 Things You Need to Know About the 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Star
10. His dad is a well-respected obstetrician and gynecologist in Belfast. Jamie Dornan's father, Dr. Jim Dornan, has delivered more than 6,000 babies in addition to being a university professor, women's rights advocate and author of the 2013 book "An Everyday Miracle." He's also a cancer survivor: Jim is now in remission after being diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 2005. Sadly, Jamie's mom Lorna, a nurse, died in 1998 after a battle with pancreatic cancer when he was just 16. "There's no easy time to lose a parent," Jamie told The Telegraph. "It was a horrific period in my life."
Jamie Dornan: 15 Things You Need to Know About the 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Star
9. He got his big break in a period piece. Jamie Dornan's first professional acting gig came courtesy of director Sofia Coppola, who cast him as one of Marie Antoinette's bewigged lovers in her 2006 film starring Kirsten Dunst as the controversial Queen of France. Jamie (seen here at the film's premiere) acknowledges that it took a few years for his career to blossom, thanks to roles as Sheriff Graham and The Huntsman in ABC's "Once Upon a Time" followed by his critically lauded turn as a serial killer in the BBC crime drama "The Fall."
Jamie Dornan: 15 Things You Need to Know About the 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Star
8. He only had four weeks to prepare his body for those "FSOG" sex scenes. "I think I am like anyone -- I have massive hang-ups about my physical appearance,"Jamie Dornan (seen here on a Miami beach in 2013) admitted to Ireland's Independent. Though he modeled in his 20s and played sports including rugby growing up, he says he was always scrawny. "Now," he explained, "I have the same insecurities when I was a kid and when I see an image of myself, all I see is this skinny kid and I don't like it. I only had four weeks to work out for this role. I would have liked more time. But like I said, I don't think I am ever going to be happy with how I look."
Jamie Dornan: 15 Things You Need to Know About the 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Star
7. He's obsessed with comedian Don Rickles. Jamie Dornan admits he had one of his best birthdays ever when his wife surprised him with tickets to see the comedy legend perform in Atlantic City a few years ago. "It was unbelievable," Jamie told Jimmy Fallon during a Feb. 9 visit to "The Tonight Show." "He's the only person I've ever done this for: I got my people to call his people and get an autographed [photo] personalized to me." Now that photo is hanging above Jamie's bathtub at home in London.
Jamie Dornan: 15 Things You Need to Know About the 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Star
6. He sings and plays guitar. In fact, Jamie Dornan was even in a band, a folk-influenced act called Sons of Jim. "I am such a fan of music and I love it so much, but being in a band takes up so much time and energy and you have to be wholly committed. I didn't feel we were that good as a band and that is not a good energy to have," he told Ireland's Independent.
Jamie Dornan: 15 Things You Need to Know About the 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Star
5. Eddie Redmayne and Andrew Garfield used to be his roommates. "We all met at auditions," Jamie Dornan told Variety. Back in those early days when all three were struggling actors, "We used to go to the Standard Hotel in West Hollywood and split a sandwich between us because that meant we could get cheaper parking," he added. They remained close as their careers exploded. "Redmayne," Jamie explained, "is the social glue that binds us all together.
