Jonathan Rhys Meyershas been acting since his teenage years. After getting expelled from school at 16 years old, Rhys Myers was discovered by a casting company while hanging out at a pool hall. Although he didn’t get the part they originally asked him to audition for, he was later called back to audition for a commercial, which he landed. The Irish actor’s first film appearance came shortly thereafter when he had a small role in a movie calledA Man of No Importance. From there, his career took off. Rhys Meyers booked at least one film per year from 1996-2000. He has been in movies across just about every genre and starred in over 50 movies and television shows throughout his career. Here are seven of Jonathan Rhys Meyers' best performances, ranked.
Bend It Like Beckham (2002)
A sports romantic comedy,Bend it Like Beckhamstars Kiera Knightley, Parminder Nagra, Anupam Kher, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. This early 2000s flick follows Jess (Nagra) and Jules (Knightley) as the two young girls try to make it as professional soccer players. Jess and Jules come from vastly different backgrounds, but find common ground in the fact that their mothers are dead set against their athletic dreams. Rhys Meyers plays Jess’s sisters’ love interest in this quirky film. Bend it Like Beckham wasnominated for a BAFTAand won 17 other awards.
August Rush (2007)
August Rushstars Keri Russell, Freddie Highmore, Terrence Howard, Robin Williams, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. After Louis (Rhys Meyers) and Lyla (Keri Russell), two musicians, spend a romantic night together, they plan to reunite, but Lyla’s father carts her off to the next concert. Months later, Lyla is led to believe she lost her son in a car accident. August Rush is the story of a young orphaned boy named August (Highmore) as he tries tofind his birth parentsusing his musical talents.August Rushwon several awards and was nominated for an Academy Award in 2007.
Related:Keri Russell’s 8 Best Performances, Ranked
Match Point (2005)
Match Pointis a 2005 Woody Allen movie starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Scarlett Johansson, Emily Mortimer, and Matthew Goode. This dramatic romance thriller follows former professional tennis player Chris Wilton (Rhys Meyers) as he falls for Nola Rice, an actress (Johansson), even though she is practically engaged to his soon-to-be brother-in-law. Throughout the story, Chris has to decide if he wants to risk it all for Nola or fall in line and keep the luxurious lifestyle he has grown accustomed to since meeting Tom’s family. Match Point was nominated for an Academy Award for best original screenplay.
From Paris With Love (2010)
This action movie stars John Travolta, Yin Bing, Richard Durden, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers, and follows US Ambassador James Reese (Meyers) andan American spy, Charlie Wax, (Travolta) as the duo teams up to foil a terrorist attack meant to destroy all of Paris. Wax is a veteran agent, ready to pull the trigger at any time, while Reese is a rookie, worried he’s in over his head. James Reese and Charlie Wax have 48 hours to save Paris from destruction by working together.
Related:John Travolta’s Best Action Movies, Ranked
The Tudors (2007-2010)
The Tudorsis a 38-episode television series that aired from 2007-2010 on Showtime. The series stars Henry Cavill, Natalie Dormer, James Frain, Anthony Brophy, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. With Jonathan Rhys Meyersat the helm as King Henry VIIIin his first major television series, this show follows the many marriages of King Henry VIII during his reign.The Tudorswas a hit in the aughts, winning a total of six Primetime Emmys, as well as 49 other awards during its three-year run.
Black Butterfly (2017)
Black Butterflyis a 2017 thriller starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Antonio Banderas, Piper Perabo, and Vincent Riotta. Paul (Banderas) is a writer trying towrite a major screenplay, and Jack (Rhys Meyers) is a drifter, weaseling his way into Paul’s life and work. Paul offers Jack a place to stay for a while, but Jack very quickly tries to take over Paul’s life.Black Butterflyis an American remake of a 2008 French film calledPapillon Noir, written by Herve Korian.
The 12th Man (2018)
The 12th Manis a dramatic World War II thriller starring Thomas Gullestad, Marie Blokhus, Mads Sjøgård Pettersen, and Johnathan Rhys Meyers. This 2018 movie is the true story of Jan Baalsrud, the single saboteur that escaped after the Nazis killed the first eleven in 1943. After the Germans sink their boat, Jan tries to flee to Sweden, a neutral space. However, the intense weather may stop him from reaching his destination.The 12th Manwon four awards.
