- Born
- Birth nameStephen Graham Kelly
- Height5′ 6″ (1.68 m)
- Stephen Graham was born August 3, 1973, in the small town of Kirkby, Lancashire, to a pediatric nurse mother and a social worker father. His paternal grandfather was Jamaican, and one of his grandmothers was Swedish. After years of small parts, he finally got his big break in an unexpected way, playing the dim-witted Tommy in Guy Ritchie's film, Snatch (2000). Apparently, Graham didn't audition for the role as Tommy--one day, he accompanied a friend to the audition for Ritchie and was asked if he was next. When Graham replied "no", Ritchie told the then-unknown actor, "I like your face", and was asked if he could start work Monday.
So much is to be said of this actor, who started his career with bit parts on ITV (he played Lee Sankey on Coronation Street (2006) in 1999 and was also cast in smaller films like Pit Fighter (2005). Graham also appeared in the critically acclaimed Gangs of New York (2002), directed by Martin Scorsese, and on television, playing Sgt. Myron 'Mike' Ranney in the HBO mini-series Band of Brothers (2001). His acting course also includes brilliant performances in excellent works such as in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011), Parade's End (2012) and Taboo (2017).- IMDb Mini Biography By: Ragman
- SpouseHannah Walters(June 6, 2008 - present) (2 children)
- Children
- ParentsStephen Kelly
- RelativesAston Kelly(Sibling)
- He discovered Jodie Comer while filming scenes for one episode of Good Cop (2012) with her. Impressed by her talent, he immediately called his agent Jane Epstein and recommended the young actress to her. This led to a boost in Comer's acting career and to a friendship between both actors. When Comer won her BAFTA award in May 2019 for "Best Leading Actress" for her performance in Killing Eve (2018), she thanked Graham for introducing her to Epstein and making her career possible.
- His paternal grandfather was Jamaican, and one of his grandmothers was Swedish. Despite his Afro-Caribbean roots, he portrayed a white nationalist in This Is England (2006).
- His solid acting work also includes three fine screen portrayals of infamous gangsters, Baby Face Nelson in Public Enemies (2009), Al Capone in Boardwalk Empire (2010) and Anthony "Tony Pro" Provenzano in The Irishman (2019).
- He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2023 King's New Years Honours List for his services to drama. He is an actor in London, England. He dedicates the award to his mother who has passed away.
- Has been in five Shane Meadows productions such as This Is England (2006), This Is England '86 (2010), This Is England '88 (2011), This Is England '90 (2015) and The Virtues (2019).
- I work to live, not live to work, so my head's at home, not in some showbiz life.
- I wouldn't rule out L.A. life, but I love England. I have a lovely house and nice garden, I walk my kids to school - family is most important to me.
- I don't need to move to the States; I love our little village, Ibstock.
- If I get the walk of a character, that helps me find them. So I'm constantly looking at airports and train stations, registering walks.
- I like how TV used to be - 'Boys from the Blackstuff' and 'Play for Today', instead of 'Stars in Your Eyes' and 'Celebrity Come Cook With Me' or whatever. I hate all that stuff.
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