Jude Law has said he tried to play against his good looks in his early twenties, joking that now he is in his fifties, he regrets not ‘playing them up’.
The actor, 51, earned a reputation as a heartthrob and shot to global fame playing a slew of classically handsome characters.
He famously starred as the charming playboy Dickie Greenleaf in 1999’s The Talented Mr Ripley, while playing romantic leads in films like The Holiday.
But his latest role in historical film Firebrand, has seen him looking a world away from his usual attractive self, as he transformed into Henry VIII.
Appearing on the June issue of DuJour magazine, Jude said that he found it ‘satisfying’ playing the repellent King, instead of his typical roles.
Jude Law has said he tried to play against his good looks in his early twenties, joking that now he is in his fifties, he regrets not ‘playing them up’
The actor, 51, earned a reputation as a heartthrob and shot to global fame playing a slew of classically handsome characters
He famously starred as the charming playboy Dickie Greenleaf in 1999’s The Talented Mr Ripley (pictured) while playing romantic leads in films like The Holiday
The Oscar nominee added that he had tried to play less attractive roles in his younger years, claiming he couldn’t now as he was ‘saggy and balding’.
He said: ‘I didn’t feel like I really ever leaned into playing handsome, but there were roles that required an attractive energy.
‘I was trying to play against my looks in my early 20s, and now that I’m saggy and balding, I wish I had played it up.’
Recently he has taken on different roles that ‘“have not leaned in to any sort of attraction’.
Jude admitted: ‘It’s been satisfying not having to turn that switch on.’
His new film sees him playing opposite Alicia Vikander, who stars as Henry’s sixth and final wife Catherine Parr.
The first glimpses of the movie show Jude dressed in a regal attire, a fur coat and feathered hat, while aged up with a long greying beard and deep lines.
To aid his performance, the movie star embodied Henry’s repulsive physical characteristics, including his sheer size and even stench.
But his latest role in historical film Firebrand, has seen him looking a world away from his usual attractive self, as he transformed into Henry VIII (pictured)
Appearing on the June issue of DuJour magazine, Jude said that he found it ‘satisfying’ playing the repellent King, instead of his typical roles (pictured in The Holiday in 2006)
The Oscar nominee added that he had tried to play less attractive roles in his younger years, claiming he couldn’t now as he was ‘saggy and balding’
The first glimpses of the movie show Jude dressed in a regal attire, a fur coat and feathered hat, while aged up with a long greying beard and deep lines (pictured in film left and last month at Met Gala right)
To aid his performance, the movie star embodied Henry’s repulsive physical characteristics, including his sheer size and even stench
He told the publication: ‘It took so much time every morning to get into this huge, weighted costume and I would stay in it for the rest of the day.
‘You could rehearse in jeans and a T-shirt, but then you would turn up in this enormous outfit and realize you’re going to knock everyone over. So you might as well maintain that sense of Henry’s shape and size.
Previously, Jude revealed that he doused himself in an ‘awful’ bespoke scent during filming to play Henry VIII, made of ‘blood, fecal matter and sweat’.
He said: ‘I read several interesting accounts that you could smell Henry three rooms away. His leg was rotting so badly. He hid it with rose oil. I thought it would have a great impact if I smelt awful.’
He enlisted the help of a specialist parfumier, with Jude saying: ‘She makes wonderful scents, and she also makes awful scents.
‘She somehow came up with this extraordinary variety of blood, fecal matter and sweat. Initially, I used it very subtly. But then it became a spray fest.’
Director Karim Aïnouz admitted the effort was effective, saying: ‘When he walked in on set, it was just horrible.’
Elsewhere in the interview, Jude opened up about his feelings about his eldest son Rafferty following in his footsteps by starting an acting career.
Elsewhere in the interview, Jude opened up about his feelings about his eldest son Rafferty following in his footsteps by starting an acting career
The 27-year-old, whose mother is model Sadie Frost , recently starred in war drama series, Masters Of The Air, opposite Barry Keoghan, Callum Turner and Austin Butler (pictured in January)
The 27-year-old, whose mother is model Sadie Frost, recently starred in war drama series, Masters Of The Air, opposite Barry Keoghan, Callum Turner and Austin Butler.
Jude admitted that he was conflicted over his son coming into the industry, as he was ‘immensely proud’ they shared the passion for acting, but that he was worried that Rafferty would be compared to himself.
He said: ‘It’s complicated because I’m aware of how hard it is. When I came into this business, I didn’t have the comparison, but with him, people might always say, “Oh, you’re just like your dad.” Which is nonsense; his career is his career.’
But he added: ‘I’m thrilled because we get to share our enthusiasm, and I get to give him advice if he wants to hear it.
‘I’m immensely proud that he’s put himself out there because he found something that he loves. He’s obviously seen the way I work, and it’s rubbed off on him.’
Who are Jude Law’s children?
Star: Model and actor Rafferty is Jude’s oldest child
Rafferty Law – Aged 24
Rafferty is Jude’s oldest child, born on 6th October 1996 from his marriage to Sadie Frost, which ended in 2003 after six years.
He’s most well-known for his work as a model, posing for designers including Dolce & Gabanna and Timberland.
He’s also set to follow his father’s acting footsteps, by starring in a remake of Charles Dickens’ Oliver!, titled Twist as the titular hero.
Rafferty dated singer Rita Ora for three months after they met while filming Twist in 2019, but split in February 2020 after ‘drifting apart’.
In October it was also reported that he was pictured kissing Brooklyn Beckham’s ex-girlfriend Hana Cross.
Glamorous: Iris is Jude’s oldest daughter from his first marriage to Sadie Frost
Iris Law – Aged 20
Iris is Jude’s oldest daughter, born on 25th October 2000 during his first marriage to Sadie.
Alongside a huge Instagram following, she has also carved out a career as a model, posing for brands including Miu Miu and Burberry.
She’s been dating Jyrrel Roberts since 2018, and the couple have been seen together at numerous events.
Iris previously credited her famous parents with giving her a normal childhood despite their A-list status.
She told ES Magazine: ‘My dad was really young. He’d had all his kids [with Frost] by 30. Mum, too. She also had a baby face. I can never tell [her age] in pictures, I’ll say, “What, you had three kids by that age?” She looks 17.’
Teen: Actor Rudy is Jude’s youngest child from his first marriage to Sadie
Rudy Law – Aged 19
Rudy is Jude’s youngest child from his first marriage to Sadie, born on 10th September 2002.
He’s followed in his father’s footsteps by choosing to be an actor, and starred in the short film Dotty in 2013.
Rudy celebrated his 18th birthday in September with a family celebration, joined by his dad Jude, mum Sadie and siblings Iris and Rafferty.
Sophia – Aged 11
Jude’s fourth child Sophia came from a brief relationship with model Samantha Burke in 2008, and she was born in September 2009.
It’s thought his daughter was conceived when he and Samantha met in a nightclub in New York while he was filming Sherlock Holmes.
Jude was first pictured with his daughter when she was just five months old, with Samantha previously claiming he’d refused to meet her.
The actor previously refused to reveal the identity of Sophia’s mother, and reportedly called for a DNA test to ensure the child was his.
Ada – Aged five
Ada was Jude’s fifth child from his relationship with singer Catherine Harding, also known by her stage name Cat Cavelli, and she was born in March 2015.
Cat was 23 when she dated Jude, then 41, who was filming on location in the Czech Republic as he grew close to the aspiring musician.
The actor was previously praised by Cat for being a hands-on dad months after Ada’s arrival.
She told The Mirror: ‘She looks like Jude massively, she doesn’t look like me. Jude is really funny and sweet. I remember last week he came over and he had to change her on the park bench. He cleaned her all up.
‘He is a good dad and she sees her brothers and sisters. He takes her out all the time.’
Sweet: Earlier this year Jude welcomed his first child with second wife Phillipa Coan, and his sixth overall
Jude’s sixth child
Earlier this year Jude welcomed his first child with second wife Phillipa Coan, and his sixth child overall.
The actor is yet to reveal the name or gender of his new baby, but has been seen with the tot.
Jude confirmed he’d welcomed his sixth child in September, telling Jimmy Fallon: ‘When asked what he’s been up amid quarantine, Jude said: ‘I’ve been gardening. Oh! And on top of that I had a baby. So there you go.’
