Photo via IMDB
Luke Evans, known best to fans of The Hobbit films as the staunch Bard of Lake-town, celebrates his 36th birthday today!
The only child of Yvonne and David Evans, Luke was born on April 15, 1979, and grew up in Aberbargoed in southern Wales. He left school at age 16, working at a shoe shop to finance his acting and singing lessons. He moved to Cardiff at age 17, studying with singing coach Louise Ryan. He won a scholarship to The London Studio Centre, Kings Cross, London in 1997, and graduated in 2000.
Luke Evans as the Musketeer Aramis in ‘The Three Musketeers’ (2011). Photo credit: Summit Entertainment.
Between 2000 and 2008, Luke appeared in many West End productions in London, including Rent, Miss Saigon, and Avenue Q. In 2008, his performance as Vincent in Small Change under the direction of Peter Gill at the Donmar Warehouse gained the attention of film casting directors and agencies both inside and outside the UK. In 2009, Luke had his first film role, the god Apollo in Clash of the Titans (2010). Luke was very busy for the next couple of years, appearing in a number of film roles including The Three Musketeers (2011), Immortals (2011), and The Raven (2012). 2013 saw Luke in two major blockbusters, Fast and Furious 6 and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. He followed up the next year by starring as Vlad in Dracula Untold and another appearance as Bard in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.
Luke Evans as Bard in ‘The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.’ Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.
The end of The Hobbit will certainly not be the last opportunity for fans to see Luke Evans. Look for him in the cast of High Rise, alongside Tom Hiddleston and Jeremy Irons, and as the selfish, egotistical, narrow-minded Gaston in the upcoming live-action Beauty and the Beast.
You can keep up with Luke on social media. You can find him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google +, Tumblr, and WhoSay.
From everyone at Middle-earth news: Happy birthday, Luke! May it be a day of special magnificence, with many more to follow.
Luke Evans starred in the lead role of Vlad in ‘Dracula Untold’ (2014). Photo credit: Jasin Boland. Photo copyright: Universal Pictures.
