This star faced hardships from an early age and was expelled from school during his teenage years. Despite those struggles, he made a name for himself in the entertainment industry, gaining widespread recognition not just for his skills, but also for his striking appearance, particularly in recent years. Let’s take a closer look at his remarkable transformation.
This Irish actor is widely recognized for his role as Henry VIII in the historical drama series “The Tudors,” which aired for three seasons from 2007 to 2010.
In addition to his impressive on-screen work, he has undergone a notable physical transformation in recent years. Here’s a look at how he has changed over time.
1998 at age 21
The actor pictured at a photocall during the 51st Cannes Film Festival on May 22, 1998, in Cannes, France. | Source: Getty Images
The actor photographed with Minnie Driver on the set of “In The Governess,” 1998 | Source: Getty Images
2002 at age 25
The actor at the premiere of “The Importance of Being Earnest,” 2002 | Source: Getty Images
2004 at age 27
The actor during The Times BFI London Film Festival 2004 Vanity Fair screening on November 1, 2004, in London, Great Britain. | Source: Getty Images
The actor pictured at the “Women To Women: Positively Speaking Party” on December 2, 2004 | Source: Getty Images
2005 at age 28
The actor attends the premiere of “Match Point,” 2005 | Source: Getty Images
The actor during “Match Point” press conference on November 19, 2005, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
2006 at age 29
The actor on the set of “The Tudors,” 2006 | Source: Getty Images
The actor during GQ Men of the Year Awards on September 5, 2006, in London, Great Britain. | Source: Getty Images
2007 at age 30
The actor at Rome Film Festival: Premiere of the film “August Rush” on October 20, 2007, in Rome, Italy. | Source: Getty Images
The actor during an appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” on April 10, 2007 | Source: Getty Images
2008 at age 31
The actor at the world premiere party for season 2 of “The Tudors” on March 19, 2008 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
2009 at age 32
The actor photographed at the Four Seasons Hotel on April 23, 2009, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
The celebrity at the John Galliano Men Spring Summer 2009 Fashion Show | Source: Getty Images
2010 at age 33
The actor visits BET’s 106 & Park at BET Studios on February 2, 2010, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
The actor pictured at the Orange British Academy Film Awards on February 21, 2010, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
The actor during a portrait session on May 4, 2010, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
2013 at age 36
The celebrity attends the book launch of Art Studio America on November 11, 2013, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
2016 at age 39
The actor on set of “Black Butterfly,” 2016 | Source: Getty Images
The actor attends the “Roots” night one screening on May 23, 2016, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
The actor attends the “London Town” screening during the 60th BFI London Film Festival on October 11, 2016, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
At this point in his life, actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers decided to settle down by marrying actress, Mara Lane. She is best known for appearing in films such as “American Night” and “Ambush.”
The following year, the news reports revealed that the welcomed their first child, a son named Wolf Rhys Meyers, on December 15, 2016. Lane gave birth at home, with a midwife assisting the delivery.
In September 2017, Lane shared in a heartfelt Instagram post that she had experienced a miscarriage. In the post, she also discussed her husband’s response to the heartbreaking news and opened up about his personal struggles during that time.
“With much sadness, we open our hearts to share that J and I lost our second child, who was baking in the oven. Child was very very much wanted (right now especially by J, so he took the news particularly not so well) [sic],” she penned.
She expressed that he had faced significant challenges, including depression from past abuse and a lifelong battle with alcoholism. Despite these hardships, he turned his pain into art and demonstrated remarkable strength. She admired his ability to achieve success despite all he had been through, though noted that progress often felt like two steps forward, one step back.
A year later, Meyers opened up about his addiction in an interview. When asked about his biggest disappointment, he replied, “Relapsing. I usually spend eight, nine, 10 months sober, then I’ll spend a day relapsing and I get disappointed. But it never lasts too long. I get back up and try again.”
John Rhys Meyers photographed on July 26, 2018, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
In July 2018, Meyers made headlines after being detained by police at Los Angeles’s LAX airport for using an e-cigarette on a flight. Witnesses also reported that the actor, known for his struggles with alcohol, had a drunken altercation with his wife, Lane.
Mara Lane, Wolf and Jonathan Rhys Meyers pictured arriving at Venice Airport on August 29, 2018, in Venice, Italy. | Source: Getty Images
Reflecting on the incident, Meyers explained, “[…] After eight months of sobriety, I decided to have a few drinks. My wife was upset at me, and I learned my lesson. I got off the aeroplane, went straight back to my meetings and got sober immediately.”
Jonathan Rhys Meyers photographed at Venice Airport on August 29, 2018, in Venice, Italy. | Source: Getty Images
Expressing regret, he acknowledged that while he could say the right things, it was his actions that made the difference. The celebrity shared that he went home, apologized to his wife, contacted the necessary people, and explained what had happened.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Mara Lane, and Wolf Rhys Meyers attend the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation’s 30th Anniversary – “A Time for Heroes” Family Festival on October 28, 2018, in Culver City, California. |
Meyers admitted that his responsibility was to avoid taking the first drink, and although he failed, he recognized his mistake and took steps to recover. The public figure also acknowledged that, at times, people make mistakes, but living life in the public eye adds another layer of difficulty.
Notably, Meyers pointed out that, after 25 years as an actor, the world has changed significantly since he began his career, making it increasingly challenging to have any privacy.
He praised his beloved wife, who publicly apologized for the incident on his behalf, for standing by him amid the challenging times, saying, “Oh, my wife is a superior woman. She’s incredible. Yeah, incredible. I couldn’t be luckier.”
In recent years, his physical appearance has drawn attention from online users. In February 2023, Meyers posted a video of himself with his son Wolf during an outing. He captioned it, “Thank you @CenterParcsIE for the stunt training and awesome time. Zip lining over the lake was pretty amazing.”
Fans flooded Meyers’ post with warm comments, expressing their admiration for the sweet moment between him and his son. One follower observed, “Hi Jonathan, you and Wolf are so sweet,” while another commented, “Thks for sharing! @JRM_official! Both so adorable! Have a great time! Sending hugs and love! [sic]”
Others shared similar sentiments, with one user gushing, “You guys are looking good, so lovely…” and another adding, “Awesome!! Miss you!!” Some praised his role as a parent, writing, “What a fantastic father you are!!!” Meanwhile, the venue also chimed in, saying, “We hope you had a fabulous time and we look forward to welcoming you back soon.”
Jonathan Rhys Meyers during the Leinster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Round 4 match on May 21, 2023 in Wexford, Ireland. | Source: Getty Images
2024 at age 47
In addition to enjoying time with his son, Meyers, known for starring alongside Tom Cruise and Maggie Q in “Mission: Impossible III,” continues to stay active in his acting career. The veteran actor’s most recent projects include the action thriller titled “The Clean Up Crew,” and the 2024 film “Operation Blood Hunt.”
Jonathan Rhys Meyers on the set of “The Clean Up Crew” | Source: YouTube/SonyPicturesEntertainment
Jonathan Rhys Meyers and co-star on the set of “The Clean Up Crew” | Source: YouTube/SonyPicturesEntertainment
Jonathan Rhys Meyers and co-star on the set of “The Clean Up Crew” | Source: YouTube/SonyPicturesEntertainment
Jonathan Rhys Meyers on the set of “The Clean Up Crew” | Source: YouTube/SonyPicturesEntertainment
Jonathan Rhys Meyers and co-star on the set of “The Clean Up Crew” | Source: YouTube/ONEMediaCoverage
Jonathan Rhys Meyers on the set of “The Clean Up Crew” | Source: YouTube/ONEMediaCoverage
In recent years, Jonathan Rhys Meyers has shown resilience in both his personal and professional life. Despite facing significant challenges, he continues to evolve, balancing his acting career with fatherhood and personal growth.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers on the set of “Operation Blood Hunt” | Source: YouTube/MovieTrailersSource
With upcoming film projects and a devoted fan base, Meyers remains a compelling figure in the entertainment world, captivating audiences with his talent and ongoing transformation.