One of the most recognizable faces in film history, John Pattinson has worked with some of the greatest directors in film and television. He is best known for playing the dual roles of Clarence/Freddy Craddock in the 1989 Batman film and its 1996 sequel, as well as Max von Sydow’s demonic possession in The Exorcist. He has also featured in many other major films, ranging from Dangerous Women to Quantum of Solace.
Early Life
Born in Sydney, Australia, on September 26, 1952, John Pattinson grew up around the theater. His father was an actor and director who encouraged his young son to follow in his footsteps. He started acting in school productions at age 12 and then performed in summer theater camps. After high school, he studied art history and drama at the University of Sydney. While at university, he began performing in local theater productions and took on dramatic roles. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1974.
Career
A versatile actor, John Pattinson has often performed in numerous productions simultaneously. This includes the 1982 Broadway musical, The Boy Friend (in which he played dual roles), as well as many London productions. His extensive movie and television credits include Elizabeth, A Suitable Case for Marriage, Dead Presidents, and The King Of Comedy. In 2016, Pattinson performed in the title role of the musical, Les Misérables, which won a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.
He has also lent his voice to many animated films, including Babe: Pig in the City, Babe: The Movie, and Mary and The Scotts. On the small screen, he has appeared on stage in several high profile productions, including Richard III, Hamlet, and King Lear. He is set to appear in the upcoming Netflix political drama, The Politicians, as well as an Australian series, The Journey, which will be released in 2018.
Personal Life
Apart from his acting career, John Pattinson is well-known for being one of the most eligible bachelors in Hollywood. In fact, he has been engaged to and wed several high-profile women. He has four children: daughters, Rose and Lily, from his first marriage to model Carole White; and sons, Teddy and Kit, from his second marriage to actress Natasha Lyonne. His favorite holiday is Christmas, and he spends a lot of time with his family at this time of year.
Awards And Nominations
Awards and nominations for John Pattinson’s work include two Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor (for 1993’s The Remains of the Day and 1995’s The Madness of King George). He won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his work in the miniseries, Vanity Fair. He has also won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Musical for his role in the 1989 film, Dead Presidents.
Pattinson is also known for playing some of the most iconic characters in film history. He has frequently been cited as one of the greatest double-actors in movie and television history. His performances in the Batman series have been particularly praised, and in 2016 he was ranked #8 on Empire magazine’s list of The 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.
Theatre Work
Apart from acting, John Pattinson is known for having starred in the Broadway productions of The Boy Friend (as Clarence/Freddy Craddock) and The Will Rogers Follies (as Mark Twain). He has also performed on several West End stages, including Lady Chatterley’s Lover and Romeo and Juliet. He performed the role of Mercutio in the RSC production of Romeo and Juliet in 2014, which also starred Kate Winslet and Mark Rylance. He will play the title role in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of the musical, Les Misérables, in New York City beginning on May 4, 2018.
Other notable theatrical roles include: Richard III, Romeo, and Romeo and Juliet (at the Gielgud Theatre in London), The Three Musketeers (at the Prince of Wales Theatre), and Uncle Vanya (at the Trafalgar Studios).
The Filmography
Besides his acting career, John Pattinson has been featured in many notable films, including: The Hunger (1983), Losing Faith (1984), Dirty Magic (1991), The Remains of the Day (1993), The Madness of King George (1995), The First Wives Club (1996), Quantum of Solace (2008), and Robin Hood (2010).
As previously noted, he is most widely recognized for playing dual roles in the Batman series. He first appeared as Clarence/Freddy Craddock in the 1989 film, Batman, and reprised the role in its 1996 sequel, The Adventures of Batman & Robin. He also appeared as the Penguin in the 2017 film, The Death of Dickie Drake.