Jonathan Rhys-Meyers (born John Michael Francis O'Keeffe on 27 July 1977) is an Irish actor and Golden Globe winner for his portrayal of Elvis Presley in CBS' mini-series, Elvis.
Born in County Dublin, Ireland, Rhys-Meyers began using his mother's name, Meyers, when he began acting. Because Rhys-Meyers was born with heart problems, he was baptised very quickly because it was feared that he might die. He spent a few months in the hospital. One year after his birth, his family moved to County Cork, Ireland, where he still resides. When Jonny, as he was called by his family and friends, was 3 years old, his father left the family. Rhys-Meyers has three younger brothers named Jamie, Alan and Paul. His mother raised him and his brothers on her own in rural Cork with little money. Rhys-Meyers has recalled that a somewhat well-to-do Anglo-Irish family in Buttevant took him under their wing. He also had a horse named Belle.
At the age of sixteen, Rhys-Meyers was permanently expelled from school, but he was discovered by casting agents shortly after at a Cork pool hall, the Victoria Sporting Club, and began a career in acting.
Rhys-Meyers has starred in television series like Gormenghast (2000), as Elvis Presley in the CBS 4 hour mini-series Elvis (2005), which earned him an Emmy nomination and a Golden Globe win.
His films include Velvet Goldmine (1998), where he played a glam rock star loosely based on David Bowie, and Bend It Like Beckham (2002). In 2005 he starred in Woody Allen's film Match Point with Scarlett Johansson, Emily Mortimer and Brian Cox. In 2006, he starred as Declan in the film Mission: Impossible III.
Rhys-Meyers is the face for Versace man for Fall/Winter 2006.
Rhys-Meyers will next be seen in the Showtime series The Tudors (2007) where he plays Henry VIII, August Rush (2006), and is in talks to play Patrick Branwell Bronte in the movie Bronte (2007)and rumored to be in the new Danny Glover Haitian epic Toussaint (2007).
He is also a singer and musician, and sang some of the songs found on the Velvet Goldmine soundtrack.
Rhys-Meyers has been romantically linked to several actresses in the past, including Toni Collette, his co-star in Velvet Goldmine, Asia Argento, Rachael Leigh Cook and Estella Warren. Both he and Scarlett Johansson deny the persistent rumors of them having a fling.
He recently ended a nearly two-year relationship with Reena Hammer, 20, the daughter of George and Ruby Hammer. George is the owner of Harrods Spa, and Ruby Hammer is the co-creator of Ruby & Millie make-up.
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