Tom Holland (actor)
Encyclopedia
Tom Holland is an English stage actor and dancer, best known for playing the title role in Billy Elliot the Musical
at the Victoria Palace Theatre
, London
.
and Nicky, and three brothers - Sam, Harry (they are twins) and Paddy. His father is comedian and author Dominic Holland
. Tom had attended Donhead Prep School
. Then, after a successful eleven plus exam, he became a pupil at Wimbledon College
.
. His potential was spotted by choreographer Lynne Page (who was an Associate to Peter Darling
, choreographer of Billy Elliot
and Billy Elliot the Musical
) when he performed with his dance school as part of the Richmond Dance Festival 2006. After eight auditions and subsequent two years of training, on 28 June 2008 Tom made his West End debut in Billy Elliot the Musical
as Michael, Billy’s best friend. He gave his first performance in the title role of Billy on 8 September 2008 getting rave reviews praising his versatile acting and dancing skills.
In September 2008 Tom (together with co-star Tanner Pflueger) appeared on the news programme on channel FIVE and gave his first TV interview. In 2009 Tom was featured on ITV1
show “The Feel Good Factor”. At the launch show on 31 January he and two other Billy Elliots, Tanner Pflueger and Layton Williams
, performed a specially choreographered version of Angry Dance from Billy Elliot the Musical
, after which Tom was interviewed by host Myleene Klass
. Then he became involved into training five ordinary British schoolboys learning to get fit and preparing their dance routine (fronted by Tom) for the final “The Feel Good Factor” show on 28 March 2009. On 11 March 2010 Tom Holland along with fellow Billy Elliots Dean-Charles Chapman and Fox Jackson-Keen appeared on The Alan Titchmarsh Show
on ITV1
.
On 8 March 2010, to mark the fifth anniversary of Billy Elliot the Musical
, four current Billy Elliots, including Tom Holland, were invited to 10 Downing Street
to meet the Prime Minister
Gordon Brown
. It was Tom Holland who was chosen to be a lead at the special fifth anniversary show on 31 March 2010. Elton John
, Billy Elliot the Musical
composer, who was at the audience, called Tom’s performance “astonishing” and said that he was “blown away” by it.
Tom Holland had been appearing on a regular basis as Billy in Billy Elliot the Musical
rotating with three other performers till 29 May 2010 when he finished his run in the musical. In two months after that Tom successfully auditioned for a starring role in the film The Impossible (directed by Juan Antonio Bayona
) alongside Naomi Watts
and Ewan McGregor
. The Impossible is based on a true story that took place during the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
and is due to be released in 2011.
Billy Elliot the Musical
Billy Elliot the Musical is a musical based on the 2000 film Billy Elliot. The music is by Sir Elton John, and book and lyrics are by Lee Hall, who wrote the film's screenplay. The plot revolves around motherless Billy, who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes...
at the Victoria Palace Theatre
Victoria Palace Theatre
Victoria Palace Theatre is a West End theatre in Victoria Street, in the City of Westminster, opposite Victoria Station.-Origins:The theatre began life as a small concert room above the stables of the Royal Standard Hotel, a small hotel and tavern built in 1832 at what was then 522 Stockbridge...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Biography
Tom Holland was born on 1 June 1996. He lives in Kingston-upon-Thames with his parents, DominicDominic Holland
Dominic Holland is an English comedian, and author. He also performs at corporate functions. He won the Perrier Best Newcomer Award in Edinburgh in 1993.-Appearances:...
and Nicky, and three brothers - Sam, Harry (they are twins) and Paddy. His father is comedian and author Dominic Holland
Dominic Holland
Dominic Holland is an English comedian, and author. He also performs at corporate functions. He won the Perrier Best Newcomer Award in Edinburgh in 1993.-Appearances:...
. Tom had attended Donhead Prep School
Donhead
Donhead is a Roman Catholic independent school taking boys from ages 4 to 11, based in south-west London.The school is situated at 33 Edge Hill, Wimbledon, London SW19 4NP, with its Sports Ground at 143 Coombe Lane, London SW20 0QX.It was founded by the Jesuits in 1933.ORIGINSThe building known...
. Then, after a successful eleven plus exam, he became a pupil at Wimbledon College
Wimbledon College
Wimbledon College is a government-maintained voluntary-aided Jesuit Roman Catholic high school for boys aged 11 to 19. The school is based at Edge Hill, Wimbledon, London. It was founded in 1892 "for improvement in living and learning to the greater glory of God and the common good"...
.
Career
Holland began dancing at a hip hop class at Nifty Feet Dance School in Wimbledon, LondonWimbledon, London
Wimbledon is a district in the south west area of London, England, located south of Wandsworth, and east of Kingston upon Thames. It is situated within Greater London. It is home to the Wimbledon Tennis Championships and New Wimbledon Theatre, and contains Wimbledon Common, one of the largest areas...
. His potential was spotted by choreographer Lynne Page (who was an Associate to Peter Darling
Peter Darling
Peter Darling is an English dancer and choreographer best known for his award-winning work in Billy Elliot the Musical.-External links:...
, choreographer of Billy Elliot
Billy Elliot
Billy Elliot is a 2000 British drama film written by Lee Hall and directed by Stephen Daldry. Set in the fictional town of "Everington" in the real County Durham, UK, it stars Jamie Bell as 11-year-old Billy, an aspiring dancer, Gary Lewis as his coal miner father, Jamie Draven as Billy's older...
and Billy Elliot the Musical
Billy Elliot the Musical
Billy Elliot the Musical is a musical based on the 2000 film Billy Elliot. The music is by Sir Elton John, and book and lyrics are by Lee Hall, who wrote the film's screenplay. The plot revolves around motherless Billy, who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes...
) when he performed with his dance school as part of the Richmond Dance Festival 2006. After eight auditions and subsequent two years of training, on 28 June 2008 Tom made his West End debut in Billy Elliot the Musical
Billy Elliot the Musical
Billy Elliot the Musical is a musical based on the 2000 film Billy Elliot. The music is by Sir Elton John, and book and lyrics are by Lee Hall, who wrote the film's screenplay. The plot revolves around motherless Billy, who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes...
as Michael, Billy’s best friend. He gave his first performance in the title role of Billy on 8 September 2008 getting rave reviews praising his versatile acting and dancing skills.
In September 2008 Tom (together with co-star Tanner Pflueger) appeared on the news programme on channel FIVE and gave his first TV interview. In 2009 Tom was featured on ITV1
ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
show “The Feel Good Factor”. At the launch show on 31 January he and two other Billy Elliots, Tanner Pflueger and Layton Williams
Layton Williams
Layton Williams is an English stage actor, best known as one of the boys who played the title role in Billy Elliot the Musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London's West End, and as the character Kylie in the BBC UK TV series Beautiful People 2008 and 2009.-Career:After several months of...
, performed a specially choreographered version of Angry Dance from Billy Elliot the Musical
Billy Elliot the Musical
Billy Elliot the Musical is a musical based on the 2000 film Billy Elliot. The music is by Sir Elton John, and book and lyrics are by Lee Hall, who wrote the film's screenplay. The plot revolves around motherless Billy, who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes...
, after which Tom was interviewed by host Myleene Klass
Myleene Klass
Myleene Angela Quinn is an English singer, pianist, media personality and occasional model. She was formerly a member of the defunct British pop band Hear'Say.-Early life:...
. Then he became involved into training five ordinary British schoolboys learning to get fit and preparing their dance routine (fronted by Tom) for the final “The Feel Good Factor” show on 28 March 2009. On 11 March 2010 Tom Holland along with fellow Billy Elliots Dean-Charles Chapman and Fox Jackson-Keen appeared on The Alan Titchmarsh Show
The Alan Titchmarsh Show
The Alan Titchmarsh Show is a British daytime TV chat show broadcast between 3 and 4pm weekdays on the ITV Network.-Format:The programme made its debut on ITV in 2007. It focused on the theme of "The Best of British" focusing on food, entertainment and celebrities in a mid-afternoon slot...
on ITV1
ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
.
On 8 March 2010, to mark the fifth anniversary of Billy Elliot the Musical
Billy Elliot the Musical
Billy Elliot the Musical is a musical based on the 2000 film Billy Elliot. The music is by Sir Elton John, and book and lyrics are by Lee Hall, who wrote the film's screenplay. The plot revolves around motherless Billy, who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes...
, four current Billy Elliots, including Tom Holland, were invited to 10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street, colloquially known in the United Kingdom as "Number 10", is the headquarters of Her Majesty's Government and the official residence and office of the First Lord of the Treasury, who is now always the Prime Minister....
to meet the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
Gordon Brown
Gordon Brown
James Gordon Brown is a British Labour Party politician who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 until 2010. He previously served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Labour Government from 1997 to 2007...
. It was Tom Holland who was chosen to be a lead at the special fifth anniversary show on 31 March 2010. Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, Billy Elliot the Musical
Billy Elliot the Musical
Billy Elliot the Musical is a musical based on the 2000 film Billy Elliot. The music is by Sir Elton John, and book and lyrics are by Lee Hall, who wrote the film's screenplay. The plot revolves around motherless Billy, who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes...
composer, who was at the audience, called Tom’s performance “astonishing” and said that he was “blown away” by it.
Tom Holland had been appearing on a regular basis as Billy in Billy Elliot the Musical
Billy Elliot the Musical
Billy Elliot the Musical is a musical based on the 2000 film Billy Elliot. The music is by Sir Elton John, and book and lyrics are by Lee Hall, who wrote the film's screenplay. The plot revolves around motherless Billy, who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes...
rotating with three other performers till 29 May 2010 when he finished his run in the musical. In two months after that Tom successfully auditioned for a starring role in the film The Impossible (directed by Juan Antonio Bayona
Juan Antonio Bayona
Juan Antonio Bayona is a Spanish film director. In addition to directing television commercials and music videos, Bayona is best known for directing his acclaimed horror film The Orphanage. Bayona is currently signed to create two films: Hater and The Impossible.-Career:Bayona grew up with a...
) alongside Naomi Watts
Naomi Watts
Naomi Ellen Watts is a British actress. Watts began her career in Australian television, where she appeared in series such as Hey Dad..! , Brides of Christ , and Home and Away . Her film debut was the 1986 drama For Love Alone...
and Ewan McGregor
Ewan McGregor
Ewan Gordon McGregor is a Scottish actor. He has had success in mainstream, indie, and art house films. McGregor is perhaps best known for his roles as heroin addict Mark Renton in the drama Trainspotting , young Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequel trilogy , and poet Christian in the...
. The Impossible is based on a true story that took place during the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea megathrust earthquake that occurred at 00:58:53 UTC on Sunday, December 26, 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The quake itself is known by the scientific community as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake...
and is due to be released in 2011.