Martin Freeman

Early Life

Martin John Christopher Freeman was born on 8 September 1971 in Aldershot, Hampshire, England. His parents, Philomena (née Norris) and Geoffrey Freeman, a naval officer, separated when Freeman was a child. When Freeman was 10 years old, his father died of a heart attack. Freeman attended the Salesian School, Chertsey before attending Brooklands College for media studies. His older brother Tim became a musician with the group Frazier Chorus.

Career

Freeman began his career in television, starring in the BBC’s comedy series The Office as Tim Canterbury. His performance in the show garnered significant recognition and several awards. Freeman's early roles were as a supporting actor in various British television and film productions.

In 2003, Freeman starred in the BBC television series Hardware. He also had a cameo in the sitcom Ali G Indahouse. Freeman went on to appear in a number of films, including Love Actually, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and Hot Fuzz.

Freeman's breakthrough role came in 2010 when he was cast as Dr. John Watson in the BBC series Sherlock. His portrayal of Watson, alongside Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock Holmes, received critical acclaim. Freeman won a BAFTA award for Best Supporting Actor and an Emmy award for Outstanding Supporting Actor for his performance in the series.

In 2012, Freeman was cast as Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy. His performance in the films was widely praised and earned him an Empire Award for Best Actor. Freeman reprised his role as Bilbo in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.

Freeman has continued to act in both film and television. He has starred in the television series Fargo, for which he was nominated for an Emmy, and in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Black Panther. He has also appeared in the films Ghost Stories, Cargo, and Ode to Joy.

Martin Freeman in a casual pose, smiling at the camera.

Personal Life

Freeman resides in Hertfordshire with his partner, actress Amanda Abbington, whom he met on the set of the film Men Only. They have two children. Freeman is a vegetarian and was named PETA's "Most Beautiful Vegetarian" in 2013. He is also an avid fan of music and cricket.

Awards and Nominations

Over the course of his career, Freeman has received numerous awards and nominations. These include a BAFTA TV Award for Best Supporting Actor for Sherlock, an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for Sherlock: His Last Vow, and an Empire Award for Best Actor for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. He has also received nominations for a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Filmography

Freeman's filmography includes a wide range of roles in both film and television. Notable films include Love Actually, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Hot Fuzz, The Hobbit trilogy, and Black Panther. His television work includes The Office, Sherlock, and Fargo.

See Also

• Sherlock
• The Hobbit
• The Office
• Fargo