Aaron Johnson

Aaron Johnson is an English actor known for his versatile performances across independent film and major studio productions. He first gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of a young John Lennon in the 2009 musical biopic Nowhere Boy, directed by his future wife, Sam Taylor-Johnson. His career subsequently expanded to include roles in major franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and critically acclaimed works by directors such as David Leitch and David O. Russell.

Early life and education

Aaron Perry Johnson was born in the village of Holmer Green in Buckinghamshire. He developed an interest in performance at a young age, attending the Jackie Palmer Stage School in High Wycombe. His early professional work began with appearances on British television, including roles in series like The Bill and Family Affairs. He made his feature film debut in the 2003 comedy Shanghai Knights, starring Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson.

Career

Johnson's breakthrough came with his starring role in Nowhere Boy (2009), a performance that earned him a BAFTA Rising Star Award nomination. He then transitioned to Hollywood, taking the title role in the 2010 superhero film Kick-Ass, based on the Mark Millar comic book. He followed this with a leading part in the historical action film The Emperor's Sword and a supporting role in Oliver Stone's Savages. A significant turning point was his casting as Quicksilver in the 2015 Marvel Studios film Avengers: Age of Ultron. In recent years, he has received critical acclaim for his performances in high-profile genre films, playing the antagonist in David Leitch's Bullet Train (2022) and the titular contract killer in Leitch's The Fall Guy (2024). His work in independent cinema includes starring in David O. Russell's period film Amsterdam and the crime thriller The King's Man, a prequel in the Kingsman series.

Personal life

Johnson began a relationship with director Sam Taylor-Johnson during the production of Nowhere Boy. The couple married in 2012 at a ceremony in Somerset, England. They have two daughters together and reside primarily in Los Angeles. He is stepfather to Taylor-Johnson's two daughters from her previous marriage to art dealer Jay Jopling. Johnson has been involved with various charitable organizations, including supporting the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Filmography

* Shanghai Knights (2003) as Charlie Chaplin * The Thief Lord (2006) as Prosper * The Illusionist (2006) as Young Eisenheim * Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (2008) as Robbie Jennings * Nowhere Boy (2009) as John Lennon * Kick-Ass (2010) as Dave Lizewski / Kick-Ass * Chatroom (2010) as William * Albert Nobbs (2011) as Joe * Savages (2012) as Ben Leonard * Anna Karenina (2012) as Count Alexei Vronsky * Kick-Ass 2 (2013) as Dave Lizewski / Kick-Ass * Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) (cameo) * Godzilla (2014) as Ford Brody * Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) as Pietro Maximoff / Quicksilver * The Wall (2017) as Sergeant Allen Isaac * Outlaw King (2018) as James Douglas, Lord of Douglas * A Million Little Pieces (2018) as James Frey * Tenet (2020) as Ives * The King's Man (2021) as Archie Reid * Bullet Train (2022) as Tangerine * Amsterdam (2022) as Officer Burt Berendsen * The Fall Guy (2024) as Colt Seavers

Awards and nominations

Johnson's performance in Nowhere Boy earned him a nomination for the BAFTA Rising Star Award. For his role in Bullet Train, he received a nomination for the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Supporting Actor. He has also been nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor for his work in Avengers: Age of Ultron and a London Film Critics' Circle Award for British Actor of the Year for Kick-Ass.

Category:English male film actors Category:1990 births Category:Living people