Trivia

Plays the piano and is a keen guitar player having learned for the movie I Saw the Light. He also played the trumpet as a child, and had to learn how to play the drums and the lute for Only Lovers Left Alive.

He screen tested for the title role in Thor (2011), maintaining a strict diet and gaining 20 pounds in muscle. However, Kenneth Branagh decided he was more suitable for the role of Loki.

Was in the same class as both Prince William of Wales and Eddie Redmayne at the boarding school Eton College.

Was once considered to portray James Bond after Daniel Craig.

He speaks some conversational French and Spanish (but is not fluent in either language), and learned Latin and Greek at university. He generally tries to learn a few words or phrases in the language of any country he visits, and is a quick learner with a keen ear for languages. Contrary to fan reports he does not speak Italian, as there is a video of him saying a few words in Italian and admitting that is all the Italian he knows.

Sang all his own vocals for his performance as Hank Williams in I Saw the Light. Most of the songs he previously recorded in studio and lip-synced while filming, but two of the songs he sang live on camera while filming.

Graduated from Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, England.

His great-great-grandfather was Sir Edmund Vestey, 1st Baronet, an English importer who was created a Baronet for supplying food to British troops during World War I.

He viewed an autopsy to prepare for his role as a physiologist in High-Rise (2015).

Is a massive Shakespeare fan. He claims he feels most alive while performing Shakespeare.

His mother is a former stage manager and still (as of 2018) works in arts marketing and fund-raising. His father is a scientist and was the director of a pharmaceutical company.

Won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Newcomer in a Play (2008), an esteemed honor that recognizes the best in London theatre.

He and Eddie Redmayne were in a school production of "A Passage to India" by E.M. Forster. Tom played the front right leg of the elephant that rode to the Marabar caves. The elephant consisted of four actors, a table with a cushion, and a tablecloth. On top of the elephant sat Eddie Redmayne, who played the female lead.

He played rugby at Cambridge University but gave up for his love of acting.

Has selachophobia, the fear of sharks.

Traveled with UNICEF UK to Guinea, West Africa, to visit children, families, and communities. He continues to remain involved with the organization. (January 2013)

Learned to surf in Hawaii while filming Kong: Skull Island.

His favorite books are "Anna Karenina" by Lev Tolstoy and "Any Human Heart" by William Boyd.

Ranked #2 on Empire magazine's 100 Sexiest Movie Stars list. (2013)

He generally runs five miles every morning; however, in preparation for I Saw the Light (2015), he ran 10 miles each morning, and also cycled in order to gain a pencil-thin figure for his role as Hank Williams.

He read "The Politics of the Family and Other Essays" by R.D. Laing in preparation for his role in Crimson Peak (2015).

His eyes water involuntarily when he is spooked.

Very good friends with Chris Hemsworth.

His favorite music video is "Weapon of Choice" by Fatboy Slim.

Is a master celebrity impressionist and is often asked in interviews and at fan events to do them. He even once did a Robert De Niro impression for Robert De Niro.

His favorite superhero is Superman.

Loves to dance.

As of 2015, he has appeared in two films which were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Motion Picture of the Year: Midnight in Paris (2011) and War Horse (2011).

Knows how to juggle.

Was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor for playing the title role in Shakespeare's "Coriolanus" at Domnar Warehouse. (2014)

He grew up in Wimbledon in London, and was sent to boarding school in Oxfordshire (called the Dragon School) at the age of seven. His family moved from London to Oxfordshire three years later. When he was 13, he started at Eton College, where he was also a boarder.

Won Best Male Newcomer at the Jameson Empire Awards. (2012)

His favorite film is Heat (1995).

Won Best Male Principal Performance Award at the Falstaff Awards for playing the title role in Shakespeare's "Coriolanus" at Donmar Warehouse. (2014)

His more avid fans are often referred to as "Hiddlestoners".

Won Best Actor Award at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards for playing the title role in Shakespeare's "Coriolanus" at Donmar Warehouse. (2014)

Won Best Supporting Actor in a Play at the Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Awards. (2009)

Math is the one subject he has not excelled in.

Won Rising Star Award at the Richard Attenborough UK Regional Film Critics' Awards. (2012)

His maternal great-grandfather, Reginald Maxwell Servaes, was a prominent Vice Admiral, a Flag Officer commanding the Reserve Fleet, and his maternal great-great-grandfather was importer Sir Edmund Vestey, 1st Baronet.

His father is Scottish. His mother is English and has some German and Scottish ancestry. One of Tom's maternal great-great-grandfathers was of German origin.

Graduated from the University of Cambridge with a double first in Classics.

His parents divorced when he was 13.

Won Best Actor Award at the National Film Awards UK for his role in High-Rise (2015). (2016)

A cousin of Edmund Vestey and Samuel Vestey. Tom's great-great grandfather and Edmund's grandfather, Edmund Hoyle Vestey (1866-1953), was the co-founder of international food product giant Vestey Brothers (later renamed The Vestey Group) with his brother, William (Samuel's grandfather). Edmund Hoyle Vestey and William Vestey were each created Baronets by King George V for their services in supplying food to British troops during World War I.

Won third prize at the Ian Charleson Awards. (2007)

Brother of Emma Hiddleston and Sarah Hiddleston.