Freddie Highmore

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Freddie Highmore
Freddie Highmore 2013 (Straighten Crop).jpg
Highmore in 2013
Born
Alfred Thomas Highmore

(1992-02-14) 14 February 1992 (age 29)
London, England
Alma materEmmanuel College, Cambridge
OccupationActor
Years active1999–present
Parent(s)Edward Highmore

Alfred Thomas Highmore[1] (born 14 February 1992) is an English actor. He made his debut in the comedy film Women Talking Dirty (1999). He is known for his starring roles in the films Finding Neverland (2004), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), August Rush (2007), and The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008). He won two consecutive Critics' Choice Movie Awards for Best Young Performer.

Highmore starred as Norman Bates in the drama-thriller series Bates Motel (2013–2017), for which he was nominated three times for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series and won a People's Choice Award. In 2017, Highmore began producing and starring as Dr. Shaun Murphy in the ABC drama series The Good Doctor, for which he was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor.[2]

Early life[]

Highmore was born on 14 February 1992 in Camden Town, London.[3] His mother, Sue Latimer, is a talent agent whose clients include actors Daniel Radcliffe and Imelda Staunton. His father is the former actor Edward Highmore, and he has a younger brother.

His previous home was in Highgate, North London.[4] Highmore was educated at a primary school in Hampstead Garden Suburb near Golders Green in the London Borough of Barnet and gained a scholarship to attend Highgate School, an independent school in Highgate, London. From 2010 to 2014, he attended Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he earned a double first in Spanish and Arabic.[5]

Career[]

1999–2004: Beginnings and Finding Neverland[]

Highmore began his acting career with small roles on television at the age of 7. He made his film debut in Coky Giedroyc's comedy Women Talking Dirty (1999), playing the son of a woman who has recently become estranged from her commitment-phobic French lover.[3] In 2001, Highmore played a young King Arthur in the TNT miniseries The Mists of Avalon, a take on the Arthurian legends that depicted the women of Camelot as the real power behind the throne.[3]

In 2001, in the BBC miniseries Happy Birthday Shakespeare, he portrayed a young boy who dreams of moving his family to Stratford-upon-Avon.[3] Highmore has acted alongside members of his family in two separate films: his brother played his brother in Women Talking Dirty, and his father played his father in Hallmark Entertainment's television film Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story (2001).[6]

In 2004, Highmore returned to the big screen for the family adventure film Two Brothers, directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud. He played the son of a French administrator who refuses to believe that his new friend, a tiger cub named Sangha, might be dangerous after having tasted blood. He next had a major role in the fantasy film Five Children and It (2004). That same year, Highmore made his breakthrough with a critically acclaimed performance as troubled Peter Llewelyn Davies in Marc Forster's semi-biographical film Finding Neverland. He received several awards and nominations for the role, including a Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer, and nominations for the Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role.

2005–2011: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Spiderwick Chronicles[]

Highmore at the San Diego Comic-Con International, 23 July 2009

In 2005, he portrayed the main role of Charlie Bucket in Tim Burton's musical fantasy film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, adapted from the book of the same name by Roald Dahl.[7] He was reportedly recommended by co-star Johnny Depp, with whom Highmore had worked in Finding Neverland; Depp had been impressed by the young actor's performance and thus put his name forward for the role.[3] Highmore had not seen the original 1971 version of the film, and decided not to see it until he was done filming so his portrayal of Charlie would not be influenced. For his role, he again won the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer and was awarded the Satellite Award for Outstanding New Talent. Highmore also lent his voice to the film's accompanying video game of the same name.

He next appeared as a young Max Skinner in Ridley Scott's comedy-drama film A Good Year, which was released in the UK on 27 October 2006. Also in 2006, he began portraying protagonist Arthur Montgomery in the live-action/animated fantasy adventure film Arthur and the Invisibles, released on 13 December 2006. Two sequels followed: Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard (2009) and Arthur 3: The War of the Two Worlds (2010).[8] For the third film and the trilogy's accompanying video game, Highmore provided voice acting.[9] In 2007, he lent his voice to the adventure fantasy film The Golden Compass (2007) and its video game of the same name. He then portrayed the title character in the drama film August Rush (2007). The story follows a musical prodigy as he searches for his birth parents. This film received a wide release on 21 November 2007.[10]

Highmore next starred in the dual role of American twins Simon Grace and Jared Grace in the fantasy adventure film The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008), based on the popular children's stories of the same name by Tony DiTerlizzi. The film also had a video game, The Spiderwick Chronicles, in which Highmore reprised the characters of Simon and Jared in a voice role.[11] That same year, he provided voice acting for the role of Little Jack in the animated film A Fox's Tale (2008). In 2009, Highmore voiced the lead character in the animated film Astro Boy[12] and provided his voice to its accompanying video game, Astro Boy: The Video Game.[13] He then played the main role in Toast, a BBC autobiographical film about chef Nigel Slater, which was aired on 30 December 2010.[14] Also in 2010, he starred as Hally Ballard in the drama film Master Harold...and the Boys, based on the play of the same name by Athol Fugard. The following year, he co-starred in the romantic comedy-drama The Art of Getting By (2011).[15]

2012–present: Bates Motel, screenwriting debut and The Good Doctor[]

Highmore at PaleyFest for Bates Motel, 10 May 2013

In 2013, Highmore voiced the title character in the animated adventure film Justin and the Knights of Valour. From 2013 to 2017, he portrayed the iconic role of Norman Bates in the A&E drama-thriller series Bates Motel, a prequel to the Alfred Hitchcock film Psycho that restarts the storyline in the present day.[16] He won a People's Choice Award in 2016 for his performance,[17] and has received nominations for the Saturn Award for Best Actor on Television (2013),[18] the Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama (2013),[19] and the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series (2014–2015, and 2017).[20][21][22] Highmore ventured into writing and directing during his time working on the series, writing the fourth season episode "Unfaithful"[23] and the fifth season episode "Inseparable", and directing the fifth-season episode "The Body".[24]

In August 2014, it was reported that NBC had purchased a comedy pilot script written and executive produced by Highmore and Bates Motel showrunner Kerry Ehrin.[25] In 2015, he appeared in the Libertines' music video for "You're My Waterloo".[26] In 2016, Highmore starred in Stephen Poliakoff's BBC Two seven-part miniseries Close to the Enemy[27] and Nick Hamm's political comedy-drama film The Journey.[28] The following year, he began the lead role of Dr. Shaun Murphy in the ABC drama series The Good Doctor, on which he also serves as a producer and director.[29][30] In 2017, he received a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series for his performance.[31]

Highmore has been cast as the voice of the Duke of Cheshire in the animated film adaptation of The Canterville Ghost.[32] He is attached to play the title character, Baby Face Nelson, in the A&E drama pilot Baby Face, which he co-wrote and will executive produce with Kerry Ehrin.[33] Highmore will also executive produce Ehrin's drama pilot Long Distance for NBC.[34]

Personal life[]

Highmore lives in London and avoids social media.[35] While on Bates Motel, Highmore developed a close friendship with co-star Vera Farmiga and became the godfather of her son.[36]

Apart from English, Highmore also speaks fluent Spanish, Arabic, and French.[37]

Filmography[]

Film[]

Year Title Role Notes
1999 Women Talking Dirty Sam
2004 Two Brothers Raoul Normandin
Finding Neverland Peter Llewelyn Davies
Five Children and It Robert
2005 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Charlie Bucket
2006 A Good Year Young Max Skinner
Arthur and the Invisibles Arthur Montgomery
2007 August Rush Evan Taylor/August Rush
The Golden Compass Pantalaimon Voice role
2008 The Spiderwick Chronicles Jared and Simon Grace
A Fox's Tale Little Jack Voice role
2009 Astro Boy Toby Tenma / Astro Boy Voice role
Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard Arthur Montgomery
2010 Arthur 3: The War of the Two Worlds Arthur Montgomery
Master Harold...and the Boys Hally Ballard
2011 The Art of Getting By George Zinavoy
2013 Justin and the Knights of Valour Justin Voice role
2016 The Journey Jack
Almost Friends Charlie Brenner
2020 Dragon Rider Ben Voice role
2021 The Vault Thom Johnson

Television[]

Year Title Role Notes
2000 Happy Birthday Shakespeare Steven Green Television film
2001 The Mists of Avalon Young Arthur 2 episodes
2001 Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story Son at playground 2 episodes
2002 I Saw You Oscar Bingley Television film
2010 Toast Nigel Slater Television film
2013–2017 Bates Motel Norman Bates
  • Main role
  • Writer: "Unfaithful", "Inseparable"
  • Director: "The Body"
2016 Close to the Enemy Victor Ferguson 7 episodes
2017 Portrait Artist of the Year Himself Television competition
Tour de Pharmacy Adrian Baton Television film
2017–present The Good Doctor Shaun Murphy
  • Main role; also executive producer
  • Writer: "Hello"
  • Director: "Risk and Reward", "Autopsy"; "Decrypt"
2018 Taskmaster Himself Contestant
2020 The Disney Family Singalong Himself Television special
2021 Leonardo Stefano Giraldi Main role

Video games[]

Year Title Role
2005 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Charlie Bucket
2007 Arthur and the Invisibles Arthur Montgomery
The Golden Compass Pantalaimon
2008 The Spiderwick Chronicles Jared and Simon Grace
2009 Astro Boy: The Video Game Toby Tenma / Astro Boy

Music videos[]

Year Title Artist
2004 "Girls" The Prodigy
2015 "You're My Waterloo" The Libertines

Awards and nominations[]

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Freddie Highmore

References[]

  1. ^ Births, Marriages & Deaths Index of England & Wales, 1984–2004, listed birth name as "Alfred Thomas Highmore".
  2. ^ Ausiello, Michael (11 May 2017). "Good Doctor Medical Drama Starring Bates Motel's Freddie Highmore Ordered to Series at ABC". TVLine. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "Freddie Highmore – Biography". Yahoo! Movies. Archived from the original on 7 April 2013. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  4. ^ Salisbury, Mark. "Freddie Highmore keeps it real in music-filled 'August Rush'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 6 November 2007. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  5. ^ "Actor Highmore gains double first". The Belfast Telegraph. 3 July 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  6. ^ "The Freddie Highmore Chronicles" (PDF). The Washington Post. 17 February 2008. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  7. ^ "Freddie Highmore cast as titular Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". JohnAugust.com. 23 May 2004. Archived from the original on 24 September 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  8. ^ "Movies: Details for Arthur and the Vengeance of Maltazard". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2013. Archived from the original on 8 September 2013.
  9. ^ "Movies: Details for Arthur and The War Of Two Worlds". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2013. Archived from the original on 8 September 2013.
  10. ^ Freddie Highmore talks August Rush on YouTube
  11. ^ "Highmore Joins Spiderwick Chronicles". Empire. 24 July 2006.
  12. ^ "Freddie Highmore Signed for Imagi Studios' Astro Boy" (PDF). Imagi Studios. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2008. Retrieved 28 February 2008.
  13. ^ "Freddie Highmore and Kristen Bell Join Astro Boy: The Video Game". GamersHell.com. 5 July 2009. Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  14. ^ "New BBC One drama, Helena Bonham Carter and Freddie Highmore star in Toast". BBC News. 21 May 2010.
  15. ^ Cox, Gordon (21 April 2010). "Roberts, Highmore assigned 'Homework'". Variety. Archived from the original on 27 April 2010. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
  16. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (14 September 2012). "A&E's 'Psycho' Prequel 'Bates Motel' Finds its Young Norman". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 6 October 2015.
  17. ^ "People's Choice Awards 2017 Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. 18 January 2017. Archived from the original on 19 January 2017.
  18. ^ McCabe, Joseph (28 June 2014). "Gravity, The Walking Dead, and Breaking Bad Win Big at the Fortieth Annual Saturn Awards". Nerdist. Archived from the original on 5 January 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  19. ^ Pond, Steve (2 December 2013). "'12 Years a Slave' Tops Satellite Award Nominations". TheWrap. Archived from the original on 8 November 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  20. ^ Sandberg, Bryn Elise (19 June 2014). "Critics' Choice Television Awards 2014: Complete Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 26 January 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  21. ^ Pedersen, Erik (6 May 2015). "Critics' Choice TV Awards: 'Justified', 'Olive Kitteridge', HBO Lead The Field". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 7 May 2015. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  22. ^ Kilday, Gregg (6 December 2017). "Critics' Choice Awards: 'The Shape of Water' Leads With 14 Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  23. ^ Saclao, Christian (4 April 2016). "'Bates Motel' Star Freddie Highmore on Writing Season 4, Episode 8 of A&E's 'Psycho' Prequel". Design & Trend. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  24. ^ Butler, Elena (23 July 2016). "'Bates Motel': 8 Things to Know About Season 5, Rihanna's Casting, and More". Collider. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016.
  25. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (22 August 2014). "'Bates Motel's' Freddie Highmore, Kerry Ehrin Sell Comedy to NBC". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015.
  26. ^ Monroe, Jazz (2 December 2015). "The Libertines Share Romantic "You're My Waterloo" Video Starring Freddie Highmore". Pitchfork Media. Archived from the original on 4 December 2015.
  27. ^ "BBC Two announces new Stephen Poliakoff drama with stellar cast". BBC News. 30 March 2015. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015.
  28. ^ McNary, Dave (10 September 2015). "Toronto: John Hurt, Toby Stephens, Freddie Highmore Join 'The Journey'". Variety. Archived from the original on 7 October 2015.
  29. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (24 February 2017). "'Bates Motel' Star Freddie Highmore to Topline ABC's David Shore Drama". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 5 March 2017.
  30. ^ "Freddie Highmore goes from 'Bates' killer to life-saving 'Good Doctor'". USA Today. 6 August 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
  31. ^ "Golden Globes: 'Shape of Water,' 'Big Little Lies' Top Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. 11 December 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  32. ^ Kemp, Stuart (9 May 2014). "Cannes: Freddie Highmore Lends Voice to Animated 'Oscar Wilde's The Canterville Ghost'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015.
  33. ^ Birnbaum, Debra (16 December 2016). "'Bates Motel's' Freddie Highmore and Kerry Ehrin Sell Drama Pilot to A&E (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 17 December 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  34. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (15 March 2017). "NBC Buys 'Long Distance' Drama From 'Bates Motel' Duo Kerry Ehrin & Freddie Highmore And Producer Danielle Gelber". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  35. ^ Ruby, Jennifer (3 May 2017). "Freddie Highmore: 'staying in London and avoiding social media has kept me grounded'". London Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 3 May 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  36. ^ Neff, Lauri (26 February 2014). "Vera Farmiga says 'Bates Motel' drama is only on screen". CTV News. Associated Press. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  37. ^ W, Ncuthu (5 November 2020). "The Good Doctor Star Opens Up About His Relationship With Johnny Depp: 25 Facts About Freddie Highmore". AmoMamma. Retrieved 15 December 2020.

External links[]

Media related to Freddie Highmore at Wikimedia Commons

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