Who Is James Nesbitt? Age, Biography and Wiki
James Nesbitt is a prominent Northern Irish actor born on January 15, 1965, making him 60 years old as of 2025. Known for his captivating performances in both film and television, Nesbitt has garnered a significant fanbase and critical acclaim over his lengthy career. He rose to fame with his roles in popular shows such as "Cold Feet" and films like "The Hobbit" trilogy. Nesbitt's ability to portray a wide range of characters has solidified his status as one of the UK's most respected actors.
| Occupation | Stage Actor |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 15, 1965 |
| Age | 60 Years |
| Birth Place | Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | Ireland |
Popularity
James Nesbitt's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Standing tall at approximately 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm), James Nesbitt maintains a fit physique that complements his dynamic roles in the entertainment industry. While specific weight details fluctuate over time, he has retained a healthy and athletic appearance, aided by his commitment to fitness and an active lifestyle. His distinct features, including dark hair and captivating blue eyes, contribute to his charisma on-screen.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, James Nesbitt is reportedly single following his divorce from his ex-wife, Sonia Forbes-Adam, with whom he shares two children. While details about his personal life remain largely private, there is ongoing speculation about his dating life. Trustworthy sources have not confirmed any new relationships, which adds to the mystery surrounding his romantic endeavors. Fans continue to support him as he navigates his personal life alongside his thriving career.
His father, James "Jim" Nesbitt, was the headmaster of the primary school in Lisnamurrican (near Broughshane), while his mother, May Nesbitt, was a civil servant. He has three older sisters named Margaret, Kathryn, and Andrea, all of whom eventually became teachers.
The family lived in the house adjoining the one-room school where Nesbitt was one of 32 pupils taught by his father, while the other pupils were all farmers' children. He grew up "completely" around women and spent a lot of time alone, "kicking a ball against a wall".
He had ambitions to play football for Manchester United or to become a teacher like his father. His parents were Protestants, and Lisnamurrican was in "Paisley country". The family spent Sunday evenings singing hymns around the piano. Jim marched in the Ballymena Young Conquerors flute band and Nesbitt joined him playing the flute.
After the Drumcree conflicts, they stopped marching with the band. The family's residence in the countryside left them largely unaffected by the Troubles, although Nesbitt, his father, and one of his sisters narrowly escaped a car bomb explosion outside Ballymena County Hall in the early 1970s.
Net Worth and Salary
James Nesbitt's estimated net worth in 2025 is approximately $6 million, a figure accumulated through his successful acting career, endorsements, and appearances. His salary per project remains undisclosed; however, it is well-known that his involvement in high-profile productions significantly contributes to his earnings. With a successful portfolio, Nesbitt remains one of the most sought-after actors in the UK film industry.
In March 2009, Nesbitt signed a contract with the American talent agency United Talent Agency, as the Great Recession was restricting roles in British television. He continued to be represented in the United Kingdom by Artists Rights Group.
The next year Nesbitt played the hunter Cathal in the low-budget British horror film Outcast, which was a departure from his previous character types. After screening at major international film festivals in early 2010, the film had a general release in the latter part of the year.
Nesbitt had previously worked with the film's director and co-writer Colm McCarthy on Murphy's Law, which was one reason he took the role. He researched the mythical aspects of the character by reading about Irish folklore and beliefs.
He also starred alongside Minnie Driver and his Welcome to Sarajevo co-star Goran Višnjić in the Tiger Aspect television serial The Deep. In the five-part drama, Nesbitt played submarine engineer Clem Donnelly. The serial was filmed over 12 weeks at BBC Scotland's studios in Dumbarton.
August 2010 saw the release of Nadia Tass's film Matching Jack, in which Nesbitt plays the leading role of Connor. He became involved in the film after reading an early script draft in 2006. In 2008, the Great Recession severely reduced the budget of the film, and Nesbitt volunteered a reduction in his salary so the film could still be made.
The film was shot over eight weeks in Melbourne in 2009 and released in 2010.
Career, Business and Investments
Over the years, Nesbitt has built an impressive portfolio, featuring compelling roles in hit television series and blockbuster films. Since his breakthrough in the late 1990s, he has ventured into producing and exploring various business opportunities. His exceptional range as an actor has allowed him to take on diverse roles that showcase his talents, establishing him as a household name.
In addition to his acting career, he has also participated in charitable initiatives and advocacy work. His involvement in various projects has enhanced his reputation beyond the silver screen, further solidifying his successful brand.
Nesbitt's first significant film role came when he appeared as pig farmer "Pig" Finn in Waking Ned (1998). With the rest of the starring cast, he was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award. In Lucky Break (2001), he made his debut as a film lead, playing prisoner Jimmy Hands.
The next year, he played Ivan Cooper in the television film Bloody Sunday, about the 1972 shootings in Derry. A departure from his previous "cheeky chappie" roles, the film was a turning point in his career. He won a British Independent Film Award and was nominated for the British Academy Television Award for Best Actor.
Social Network
James Nesbitt maintains a low profile regarding his social media presence. While he may not be overly active on platforms like Instagram and Twitter, he occasionally shares updates about his career and various projects. Fans admire his authenticity and appreciate glimpses into his life, be it through interviews or public appearances.
The day after leaving CSSD in 1987, Nesbitt got a bit part in Virtuoso, a BBC Two Screen Two television play about the life of John Ogdon. He worked for two days on the play, earning £250 per day. His first professional stage appearance came in the same year, when he played Keith in Up on the Roof.
The musical ran at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth, before transferring to the London West End. Nesbitt reprised the role when the production returned to Plymouth in early 1989.
Roger Malone in The Stage and Television Today wrote that Nesbitt "steals the show with the best lines and best delivery as he laconically squares up to life with an easy contentment".
Nesbitt appeared in two other plays in 1989; in June, he played Dukes Frederick and Senior in Paul Jepson's As You Like It at the Rose Theatre Club, and then appeared in Yuri Lyubimov's version of Hamlet. Hamlet had been translated back to English from Boris Pasternak's Russian translation.
It ran at the Haymarket Theatre, Leicester for a month before a transfer to the Old Vic and then a nine-month world tour. Nesbitt played Guildenstern, Barnardo and the second gravedigger. He recalled that the play received "shocking" reviews, but was exciting.
Education
Nesbitt attended the Queen's University Belfast, where he studied English and drama. This educational background laid the foundation for his passion for acting and provided him with the skills necessary to excel in the entertainment industry. His studies undoubtedly contributed to his rich understanding of diverse characters, delivering performances that resonate with audiences worldwide.
Nesbitt's performance in Hear My Song had also impressed first-time screenwriter and film director Kirk Jones, who cast him in his 1998 feature film Waking Ned.
Playing amiable pig farmer "Pig" Finn brought Nesbitt to international attention, particularly in the United States (where the film was released as Waking Ned Devine); the cast was nominated for the 1999 Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Theatrical Motion Picture.
In 1999, he appeared as the paramilitary "Mad Dog" Billy Wilson in The Most Fertile Man in Ireland (Dudi Appleton). The following year, he appeared in Declan Lowney's feature debut, Wild About Harry. Lowney had personally asked him to appear in the supporting role of cross-dressing Unionist politician Walter Adair.
In 2001, he made his debut as a lead actor in a feature film in Peter Cattaneo's Lucky Break. He played Jimmy Hands, an incompetent bank robber who masterminds an escape from a prison by staging a musical as a distraction.
On preparing for the role, Nesbitt said, "Short of robbing a bank there wasn't much research I could have done but we did spend a day in Wandsworth Prison and that showed the nightmare monotony of prisoners' lives.
I didn't interview any of the inmates because I thought it would be a little patronising as it was research for a comedy and also because we were going home every night in our fancy cars to sleep in our fancy hotels." The film was a total flop, despite receiving positive feedback from test audiences in the United States.
