Jack Arthur Davenport (born 1 March 1973) is an English actor, best known for his roles in the television series This Life and Coupling, and as James Norrington in the Pirates of the Caribbean series. He has also appeared in many other Hollywood films such as The Talented Mr. Ripley. More recently, Davenport was part of the ensemble cast in the drama series FlashForward and Smash, and took the lead role in the 2013 ITV drama series Breathless.
Laurence Olivier Award for Most Promising Performer
Movies
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Kingsman: The Secret Service, The Talented Mr. Ripley, The Wedding Date, The Boat That Rocked, A United Kingdom, Fierce Creatures, The Libertine, The Incredib...
TV Shows
Smash, FlashForward, Swingtown, Coupling, Ultraviolet, This Life
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Trademark
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Smooth baritone voice with drawling English accent
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Quote
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About his costume in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003): "I came in that day and I saw Johnny in his costume and I was so jealous. He looked so cool, with his bandanna and his hat, and here I am, looking like an ice cream".
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My parents who worked in the business, felt lion-taming was preferable to acting. They said 93 per cent of all actors were out of work, and tried to talk me out of it. But I grew up mixing with Mum and Dad's friends. Adult actors are really childish, and that's nice to be around when you're a kid. So the big reason I wanted to be an actor was I really enjoyed actors' company - which probably makes me about as shallow as a puddle. But it could be worse. I could be working for a living.
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Acting is a cruel enough business. One minute everyone's going "Hey!" and the next they're going "Who?". You certainly don't need people knowing your private business, especially if you want to come out with your head still attached.
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I try not to see acting as anything other than a job. I hate it when I say to people I'm unemployed, and they say "you mean you're resting?" I'm like "No, unemployed", because I am. That's what acting's about - making a living.
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[About how his This Life (1996) character, "Miles Stewart", was received by the public] A lot of drunken women came up to me in pubs telling me I was a bastard. To begin with, I tried to explain that the show wasn't real, but then I found a better tactic was to look them in the eye and say "Yeah, you know what? I am".
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People tell me that Hollywood loves new faces, but I don't know. They're probably just being nice.
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During my childhood, I was surrounded by actors and all I remember is they were fun to be around. That kind of sticks.
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[describing his role in The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)] "The chap in the duffle coat jumping up and down in the background!"
Younger half-brother of actress Laura Davenport and author Hugo Davenport.
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He was considered for the role of Arthur Dent in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005) but the idea didn't prosper as the producers decided he was too good-looking for the role.
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Considered for the role of Caledon "Cal" Hockley in James Cameron's Titanic (1997) but was deemed too young.
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He is the nephew of former Conservative MP and Cabinet minister Jonathan Aitken.
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His maternal grandmother was the famed English socialite, the Hon. Lady Penelope Aitken (1910-2005).
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His maternal great-grandfather was John Maffey, 1st Baron Rugby (1877-1969), a prominent British diplomat and the British ambassador to Ireland during World War II.
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His great-great-uncle was the British politician and writer, Sir William Maxwell "Max" Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook (1879-1964).
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He was nominated for a 2002 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Most Promising Newcomer of 2001 for his performance in "The Servant" at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre.
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Attended Cheltenham College, as did his father, Nigel Davenport.
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Graduated in film and English from the University of East Anglia.
$40 Million
