Daniel Craig

Biography: An English actor. His early film roles include Elizabeth, The Power of One, A Kid in King Arthur?s Court and the television episodes Sharpe?s Eagle, Zorro and The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles: Daredevils of the Desert. His breakthrough performances were in the films Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Road to Perdition, Layer Cake, Munich, and The Golden Compass.

Craig became well known internationally after he was cast as the sixth actor to portray fictional secret agent James Bond in the film series. He made his début as the character in the 2006 film, Casino Royale. He was critically acclaimed, and was nominated for a BAFTA award, for his portrayal in the film. He grew into other roles in films such as Defiance, Cowboys and Aliens, the upcoming English-language adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and The Adventures of Tintin.

Craig was born in Chester, Cheshire, England. His mother, Carol Olivia (née Williams), was an art teacher, and his father, Timothy John Wroughton Craig, was the landlord of the pubs "Ring o? Bells" (in Frodsham) and "The Boot Inn" (Willington, Tarporley), and also served as a midshipman in the Merchant Navy. Both of Craig?s parents were of half Welsh descent.

Craig moved to London when he was sixteen to join the National Youth Theatre after a stay at Calday. He attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama at the Barbican and graduated in 1991 after three years of study under Colin McCormack.

In 2005, Craig was contracted by EON Productions to portray James Bond. He stated that he "was aware of the challenges" of the James Bond franchise which he considers "a big machine" that "makes a lot of money". He aimed at bringing more "emotional depth" to the character. Being born in 1968, Craig is the first actor to portray James Bond to have been born after the Bond series already started, and Ian Fleming, the novels? writer, had died.

Significant controversy followed the decision, as it was doubted if the producers had made the right choice. Throughout the entire production period Internet campaigns expressed their dissatisfaction and threatened to boycott the film in protest. Craig, unlike previous actors, was not considered by the protesters to fit the tall, dark, handsome image of Bond to which viewers had been accustomed. The Daily Mirror ran a front page news story critical of Craig, with the headline, "The Name?s Bland - James Bland."

Although the choice of Craig was controversial, numerous actors publicly voiced their support, most notably, four of the five actors who had previously portrayed Bond - Pierce Brosnan, Timothy Dalton, Sean Connery, and Roger Moore - called his casting a good decision. Craig.

The first film, Casino Royale, premièred on 14 November 2006 and grossed a total of US $594,239,066 worldwide, which makes the film the highest grossing Bond film to date. After the film was released, Craig?s performance was highly acclaimed.

Craig describes his portrayal of Bond as an anti-hero: The question I keep asking myself while playing the role is, ?Am I the good guy or just a bad guy who works for the good side?? Bond?s role, after all, is that of an assassin when you come down to it. I have never played a role in which someone?s dark side shouldn?t be explored. I don?t think it should be confusing by the end of the movie, but during the movie you should be questioning who he is.

In 1992, Craig married Scottish actress Fiona Loudon, with whom he has a daughter, Ella. However, the marriage ended in divorce in 1994.

After his divorce, he was in a seven-year relationship with German actress Heike Makatsch, ending in 2001. He subsequently dated film producer Satsuki Mitchell from 2004 until 2010.

Craig and actress Rachel Weisz began dating in December 2010. Craig and Weisz married on 22 June 2011 in a private New York ceremony, with only four guests in attendance, including Craig?s 18-year-old daughter Ella, and Weisz?s four-year-old son Henry.Craig and Weisz had been friends for many years and had worked together on the movie Dream House shortly before they began dating in late 2010.

In October 2008, Craig paid £4 million for an apartment near Regent?s Park, London. He is a Liverpool F.C. supporter