Simon Baker: biography, filmography and personal life of the actor (photo)

Simon Baker today is one of the most famous Australian actors. He actively acts in films and serials, works as a director and brings up three children. And today, when the series "Mentalist" with the participation of the actor is very popular, fans are increasingly interested in the biographical data of the artist.

Simon Baker: Biography and Childhood

The actor was born July 30, 1969 in the town of Launceston, which is in the territory of the Australian state of Tasmania. His mother worked as a teacher in a school where she taught English. And Father Barry Baker was a gardener and a mechanic. When the boy was two years old, his parents divorced. And after a while mother again married the butcher Tom Denny. By the way, the famous actor has a sister and half-brother. And at the beginning of his acting career Simon often used the name of his stepfather.

In the early 1970s, the family moved to the city of Ballina, which is located in the territory of New South Wales. Here Simon Baker is finishing school. By the way, not all fans know that the famous actor in school days was an athlete. He often won prizes in competitions in water polo and surfing, and spent his free time on the seaside.

After graduating from high school, the guy moved to Sydney, where he entered a medical college - he planned to become a nurse. But he did not finish education, because he was seriously interested in acting.

The beginning of acting career

On television Simon got completely by accident. As confirmed by some sources, while studying in a medical school, he went with a friend for casting just for "moral support", as he was not going to participate in the samples. But the guy with a pleasant appearance was noticed and offered a job.

In the late 1980s, Simon Baker appeared on Australian television, however, under the name of Simon Denny. First he starred in several clips. In particular, he worked with Melissa Tkautz on the song Read My Lips. He can also be seen in the music video of the trio Euphoria for the song Love You Right. And in 1991, he made his debut - he played James Healy in the popular Australian TV series "Home and on the road." Then he starred in several soap operas, including "The School of Broken Hearts".

The first successes in Hollywood

In 1995, the actor moved to Los Angeles and from time to time attended castings. Luck smiled at him. In 1997, the first American film appeared, in which Simon Baker was shot. His filmography was replenished with the famous picture called "The Secrets of Los Angeles", where he played a small part of Matt Reynolds. By the way, this picture received two figurines of "Oscar". Although Simon's role was not very important, his work in the popular film gave "weight" to his portfolio.

In 2000, there were two films with his participation. In the role of Michael Scott, he starred in the movie "Sex, drugs and the Sunset Strip," and also played Chip Pettengill in the fantasy film "Red Planet."

A year later, the actor appears in the image of Reto de Wyietta in a historical drama based on real events "A Story with a Necklace".

The series "Defender" and the long-awaited confession

On September 25, 2001, the first series of the series "Defender" appeared on the screens, where Simon Baker played the main role. Here he appeared before the audience in the image of arrogant and arrogant corporate lawyer Nick Fellin.

For the possession of drugs, a successful lawyer is sentenced to public works. Now, in addition to the main activity, he must work for free in the state legal service of Pittsburgh, protecting interesting families with low income and minor children.

Without a doubt, this role became one of the most striking in the career of the actor. In 2002, he won the Family Television Awards as Best Actor. In the same year he was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for the best performance of the main male role in the dramatic television series.

Simon Baker: Filmography

After the end of the series, the actor began acting in films of a different genre. In particular, he is present in one of the episodes of the popular series "Gray's Anatomy." In 2005, he starred in the horror movie "Bell-2", playing Max Rourke.

In the same year, he appeared on the screen in the role of Riley Danbo, fighting with zombies in a fantastic horror film "Land of the Dead". In 2006, there is another well-known comedy "The Devil Wears Prada", where Simon played the handsome writer Christian Thompson. In 2006, he also got the role of Brian in the movie "Something New". And from 2006 to 2007, the actor staged the audience with his remarkable game in the series "Thieves of the East-class".

The series "Mentalist" and world fame

In 2008, the first series of the series appeared on the screens, in which the main role was played by Simon Baker. The filmography of the actor was supplemented by the project "Mentalist", which quickly won the audience from all over the world and firmly entered the ratings of the most popular TV series of the world.

Here, Simon perfectly played the arrogant and selfish Patrick Jane, consultant to the California Bureau of Investigation. This man, who has charm, magnetism and a penetrating look, is an excellent manipulator. At one time he was a fraud, assuring clients of having extrasensory abilities. Today, he helps the police in the detection of crimes and is waiting for his time, as from the bottom of his heart he wants to catch the murderer of his wife and child.

The role of the charming Patrick, who seems to know in advance all the thoughts and intentions of the interlocutor, brought the actor several more awards. In 2009, the series was awarded the "People's Choice" award for the best cast. Baker himself was nominated for another Golden Globe for the best performance of the male role in the television series.

New movies with Simon Baker

After the amazing success of the series "Mentalist" on the screen began to appear new films, which starred Simon Baker. The filmography of the actor was replenished in 2009 with the film "Disappearance", where he played Jack Bishop. In the same year, a picture appeared called "The Lodger", in which Baker got the role of Malcolm Slate.

He also played a small role for Travis in the film "Women in Need", which premiered in 2009 at the Film Festival in Texas. And a year later Baker gets the role of Howard Hendrix in a rather successful thriller called "The Killer Within Me".

In 2011, fans could again enjoy the game of their favorite actor, who played Jared Cohen in the thriller "Risk Limit". By the way, this film was nominated for an Oscar in the category "Best Original Screenplay." And in 2013, Simon got the role of Guy in the film "I'm giving the year."

Participation in other projects

Simon Baker several times tried himself in the role of director, and his work was very successful. Of course, there is no legendary film on his list. Nevertheless, as a director he worked on one of the episodes of the series "Defenders".

In addition, the actor was the director of several series of the famous series "Mentalist". And since the fifth season, Simon is the producer of this project.

Actor Simon Baker since 2012 is the "ambassador of elegance" and the face of the famous Swiss watch brand Longines. With his appearance, the actor perfectly complements the basic idea of the advertising campaign that "elegance is a lifestyle." In addition, not so long ago he became the face of Gentlemen Only - a new fragrance from the prestigious Givenchy company. By the way, the actor repeatedly noted that his faithful wife always helped him to create his own style and choose clothes.

Personal life of the actor

If you are interested in questions about who Simon Baker is, the personal life of the actor, for sure, also interests you. With his future wife, he met while participating in his first series, in 1991. The actor himself often mentioned that they did not work very well, because Simon had just started an acting career, and his partner, Rebecca Rigg, was already an experienced actress, since she worked on television since 11 years.

Nevertheless, young people began to meet. And after seven years of relationship, the couple still announced a marriage - in 1998 he became a married man and Simon Baker. His wife, by the way, is also a well-known Australian actress. She played Felicia Scott in The Mentalist. There is a version that between the actors love broke out at first sight. Simon himself says that a relationship and a happy marriage are hard work, in which he and his wife reached perfection, because after 22 years they still love each other.

Soon, the couple had a daughter Stella, and then the sons of Claude and Harry. A loving husband and a caring father is Simon Baker. Children actor is already old enough, and the daughter is in college. Until recently, the family lived in California, but then the actor was forced to return to Sydney. Today, Bakers live again in the US, in Los Angeles.