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Who is Jason Isaacs?
British actor, producer and director Jason Isaacs was born in Liverpool, England, on 6 June 1963, making Gemini his zodiac sign. He’s had roles in more than 150 movies and TV series, and is probably known best for his portrayal of Lucius Malfoy in the movie franchise “Harry Potter”, especially in its second installment – the 2002 family fantasy adventure “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”. It starred Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe, was directed by Chris Columbus and based on books by J. K. Rowling; the film follows three young wizards as they’re dealing with a serious problem at Hogwarts, the school of wizardry, and the movie won 13 of its 59 award nominations.
Jason’s today highly active in the film industry, and is working on nine upcoming projects, including the movies “A Winter’s Journey”, “The Boy at the Back of the Class” and “Occupation Rainfall: Chapter 2”.
Education and early life
Jason and his three brothers were raised in Liverpool by their Jewish parents; his father Eric Isaacs was a jeweler, while his mother Sheila Nathan was a housewife.
The family moved to London when Jason was 11, and he studied at Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School; he studied together with several future actors, including Matthew Richard Lucas, Sacha Baron Cohen and David Baddiel.
Jason revealed that he experienced anti-semitism while growing up in London, and that this was one of the reasons why his parents eventually moved to Israel. Upon matriculating in 1982, Jason enrolled at Bristol University, from which he graduated with a law degree in 1985; Jason then honed his acting skills at London’s Central School of Speech and Drama for three years.
Roles in TV series
Jason’s debut TV series role was playing Dr. Guy Chadbot in the 1988 episode “A Growing Crisis” of the comedy “This is David Lander”, and in 1989 and 1990, he played the lead character Chas Ewell in the drama “Capital City”, which also starred Douglas Hodge and William Armstrong, and was created by Andrew MacLear. It follows the lives of employees of an investment bank.
The first half of the ‘90s saw Jason appear in an episode or two of the drama mini-series “Ashenden”, the crime drama “The Bill” and the crime mystery “Taggart”. What marked the ‘90s for him was perhaps starring as Michael Ryan in all four episodes of the romantic thriller mini-series “Dangerous Lady”, which also starred Susan Lynch and Sheila Hancock, and follows the Ryan family living in London in the ‘50s and ‘60s.
Jason didn’t have many TV series roles in the 2000s – what marked the decade for him was perhaps playing the main character Michael Caffee in all 29 episodes of the crime drama “Brotherhood”, which also starred Annabeth Gish and Jason Clarke, and was created by Blake Masters. It follows two rather different brothers living in Providence, Rhode Island, the series aired from 2006 through 2008 and won four of its nine award nominations.
The show is called Case Histories!
— Jason Isaacs News (@jasonisaacsnews) March 30, 2020
Some of Jason’s roles in the first half of the 2010s were in the fantasy mystery “Awake” (lead role), the short drama “Kendra” and the crime mystery “Case Histories” (lead role).
From 2016 through 2019, he portrayed the main character Dr. Hunter Aloysius ‘Hap’ Percy in the fantasy mystery “The OA”, which also starred Scott Wilson and Brit Marling, and was created by Zal Batmanglij. It follows Prairie who was blind when she disappeared seven years previously, while she’s now returned with her eyesight restored; the series won three of its 12 award nominations.
Some of Jason’s most recent TV series roles have been in 2022 in the episode “Kid/Nap” of the crime comedy “Inside No. 9” two episodes of the animated comedy “American Dad!” (voice role), and three episodes of the 2023 biographical comedy “The Great”.
Roles in movies
Jason’s debut film role was playing Doctor 2 in the 1989 romantic comedy “The Tall Guy”, which starred Rowan Atkinson and Jeff Goldblum, and was directed by Mel Smith. It follows a comedian who has a nasty allergy, and has accepted weekly injections only because a cute nurse works at the hospital.
Some of Jason’s following roles were in the 1991 drama “Eye Contact”, the crime action “Shopping” and the romantic comedy “Solitaire for 2” both in 1994. In 1996, he played Jim Reed in the action adventure fantasy “Dragon Heart”, which starred Sean Connery and Dennis Quaid, and was directed by Rob Cohen. It follows a dragonslayer Knight and the last dragon as they’re co-operating to put an end to an evil king, and the movie won three of its 13 award nominations, including an Oscar nomination for Best Effects, Visual Effects. The remainder of the ‘90s saw Jason appear in several hit movies, such as the 1997 science fiction horror thriller “Event Horizon”, the 1998 action adventure science fiction “Armageddon”, and the 2000 historical action “The Patriot”.
In 2001, he played Steele in the historical action “Black Hawk Down”, which starred Ewan McGregor and Josh Hartnett, and was directed by Ridley Scott. It tells the story of 160 elite US soldiers who were surrounded by enemy forces in Mogadishu in October 1993, and the movie won 11 of its 48 award nominations, including two Oscar wins for Best Film Editing and Best Sound. In the following year, Jason played Dr. William Birkin in the critically acclaimed action science fiction horror “Resident Evil”, which was nominated for seven awards, and some of his following roles were in the 2003 family fantasy adventure “Peter Pan”, the 2008 biographical drama “The Curse of Steptoe”, and the 2010 fantasy comedy “Skeletons”.
In 2014, he played Captain Waggoner in the war action “Fury”, which starred Shia LaBeouf and Brad Pitt, and was written and directed by David Ayer. It follows a tank commander during World War II in April 1945, and the movie won five of its 29 award nominations.
Some of Jason’s most recent film roles have been in the 2022 action thriller “Agent Game”, the 2022 comedy “Mrs Harris Goes to Paris” and the 2023 biographical musical “Spinning Gold”.
Other credits
Jason produced the 2008 romantic war movie “Good”, all 13 episodes of the 2012 fantasy mystery series “Awake” and five episodes of the 2013 crime mystery series “Case Histories”.
He’s received special thanks for five movies, including the 2011 short thriller “Commerce”, the 2017 short comedy “The Bard” and the 2017 documentary “And the Winner Isn’t”.
Some of Jason’s recent talk-show appearances have been in “The Talk”, “Hollywood First Look” and “Entertainment Tonight”.
Awards and nominations
Jason’s won eight of his 35 award nominations. Some of his wins include a 2011 Satellite Award for Best Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television, for “Case Histories”, a 2015 International Film Festival for Peace, Inspiration and Equality Award for “Dawn” and a 2018 Empire Award for Best Actor in a TV Series, for “Star Trek: Discovery”.
Jason was nominated for a 2009 BAFTA Award for Best Actor, for his performance in “The Curse of Steptoe”.
Love life and marriage
Jason avoids speaking about his love life in public, but it’s known that he’s been with a single woman since 1987. He met British documentary moviemaker Emma Hewitt while they were both attending the Central School of Speech and Drama; they exchanged vows in 2001 (some sources mistakenly claim in 1988), and Emma gave birth to their daughter Lily on 23 March 2002, while their second daughter Ruby followed in August 2005.
Jason’s been struggling with alcohol and drug addiction for the past two decades, and has revealed that Emma helped him become sober; he hasn’t been using drugs or alcohol since August 2020.
Jason’s yet to mention the girls whom he had dated prior to meeting Emma; he’s married to Emma Hewitt as of June 2023, and they have two daughters together.
Interesting facts and hobbies
Jason’s right-handed, but writes with his left hand.
He’s revealed that he’s Jewish in a non-religious way, and is rather an atheist.
Jason’s a philanthropist and is involved with a number of charity organizations, including Bravehound which works with former servicemen.
He’s a supporter of the Labour Party, and says that he’ll never support the Conservatives.
Jason’s a huge fan of comic books, and once had a large collection of DC and Marvel comics.
One of his best friends is British screenwriter, producer and director Paul Greengrass.
One of Jason’s favorite actors is Tom Hardy, and some of his favorite films include “Legend”, “The Dark Knight Rises” and “Warrior”.
Height, eyes and wealth
Jason’s age is 60. He has blue eyes and brown hair, is 5ft 11ins (1.8m) tall and weighs around 170lbs (78kgs).
Jason’s net worth’s been estimated at over $8 million, as of June 2023.
