- Born
- Birth nameBenjamin Thomas Barnes
- Height6′ 1″ (1.85 m)
- British actor Benjamin Thomas Barnes was born in Cambridge, England, to Patricia (Becker), a relationship therapist, and Thomas Barnes, a professor of psychiatry. He has a brother, Jack. His mother is from South Africa while his father is English.
Barnes studied at Homefield Preparatory and King's College, both independent all boys' schools. He began acting in musical theatre, including at the National Youth Music Theatre, and was a member of Hyrise, a boy band. In 2004, he graduated with BA Honours from Kingston University, where he studied drama and English literature.
In 2006, Barnes played Dakin in The History Boys on stage, and made his television debut on the series Doctors (2000). His first film was Matthew Vaughn's Stardust (2007), and his second major film role was the epic The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008), in which he played Prince Caspian. He next co-starred with Jessica Biel in Easy Virtue (2008), played the title role in Ol Parker's Dorian Gray (2009), and reprised his role, now as King Caspian, in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010).
In 2011, he co-starred with Robert Sheehan, playing brothers, in Killing Bono (2011). He also had major roles in the films The Words (2012) and The Big Wedding (2013).
In 2015, Barnes played the title role in the fantasy adventure Seventh Son (2014), opposite Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore. The same year, he portrayed American founding father Sam Adams in the History Channel mini-series Sons of Liberty (2015).
- IMDb mini biography by: Anonymous
- ParentsPatricia Barnes (Becker)Thomas Barnes
- RelativesJack Barnes(Sibling)Emil Becker(Grandparent)Cornelia Havelaar(Grandparent)
- Usually stars in period movies or fantasy films
- Dark brown eyes
- Tried to purchase the picture of himself used in Dorian Gray (to give to his mother), but the painting was not available for sale and is now in a museum.
- Was one of the four finalists for the role of "Edward Cullen" in Twilight (2008).
- He can also sing, play drums and piano.
- Said that he based his Prince Caspian accent on that of Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride (1987) because the night before auditions, he was sorting through his DVD collection trying to find something to help him.
- Graduated with a degree in English and Drama from Kingston University in 2004.
- I got involved [in "Caspian"] very late, very late, literally a couple of weeks before they had to start shooting. I think they were desperate, at this point. 'Whoever walks in the door next, THAT'S the guy.' And it was me. (The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, May 13, 2008)
- Obviously, you wouldn't be human if you didn't get a disposable camera and try and get a picture of yourself by your own movie billboard (Episode #16.89 (2008)).
- The audition was to play a Los Angeles lifeguard. So I turn up, pasty, skinny, off the plane, black shirt. I walk in, there's like ten guys in there, blonde, tanned, enormous. And I kid you not, one of them had his pant leg rolled up and was going, "Dude, I just don't know how to get the definition in my calves. I can't do it." And I thought, I'm in the wrong place (Episode #16.89 (2008)).
- I played a rock star alien. I even made my own guitar -- out of cardboard. It was spectacular, if I may say so myself. (The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, May 13, 2008)
- My favorite one to eat pizza with is Anna [Popplewell]. My favorite one to go to the gym with is William [Moseley]. My favorite one to mock and be mocked by is Skandar [Keynes] and my favorite one to hug is Georgie [Henley].
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