British Stage, Television, and Film Actor

Aaron Taylor-Johnson| Biography

Actor Known For 'Kick-Ass' Franchise and 'Avengers: Age of Ultron'

• By Reena Chikanbanjar
• Update : November 28, 2021

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Aaron Taylor-Johnson is a British actor who rose to fame after portraying the title character in Kick-Ass and its 2013 sequel. 

Who is Aaron Taylor-Johnson?

Aaron Taylor-Johnson is a British stage, television, and film actor who rose to fame after portraying the title character in the 2010 black comedy superhero film Kick-Ass and its 2013 sequel Kick-Ass 2. In addition, he is prominently recognized as Pietro Maximoff/Quicksilver in the 2015 sci-fi action-adventure film Avengers: Age of Ultron. He has also featured in several television movies such as The Apocalypse (2000), The Best Man (2006), and Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars (2007). He also starred in TV series, including Feather Boy (2014), Talk to Me (2007), and Nearly Famous (2007). In addition, he has done voice-overs for distinct characters.

Early Life and Education

Aaron Taylor-Johnson, real name, Aaron Perry Johnson, was born on 13 June 1990, in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England. Born to a civil engineer, Robert Johnson, and a homemaker Sarah, he has a sister named Gemma Johnson. Gemma had a small role in his movie Tom & Thomas 2002. He was raised Jewish and belonged to English-Russian Jewish descent. Johnson completed high school at Holmer Green Senior School in 2006, and he attended Jackie Palmer Stage School between 1996 to 2008.

Early Career

Taylor-Johnson kicked off his acting career at age six. He performed in theater productions like Macbeth and All My Sons. During an interview in 2010, Green shared, "I was brought up by a really proud, supportive family, so I have that sort of grounding. When I was about 10, I went off to film a movie in Amsterdam…." He then made his on-screen debut at age 10 in the 2000 TV movie The Apocalypse. He portrayed the role of Johanan. The following year, he appeared as Young Lorimer Black in the TV series Armadillo. 

Films

Taylor-Johnson made his big-screen debut in the 2002 family film Tom & Thomas as the lead character. Describing his role in the movie, he said, "I played twins who get split up at birth—one goes to an orphanage or something, and the other lives in this beautiful home."

He then starred in the 2003 action-adventure comedy film Shanghai Knights, portraying Charlie. He then appeared as George in the 2004 fantasy-comedy film Dead Cool. In 2006, he starred as protagonist Prosper in the adventure family drama film The Thief Lord and as Young Eisenheim in the romantic mystery film The Illusionist. 

After that, he played the role of an older brother Danny in the drama film Dummy in 2008. In the same year, Taylor-Johnson rose to fame in England after starring in a leading role as Robbie Jennings in the romantic comedy film Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging, opposite Georgia Groome. He then starred as Bennett Brewer in the romantic drama film The Greatest, opposite Carey Mulligan. Further, in 2009, he portrayed the role of John Lennon in the musical biopic Nowhere Boy, based on the life of singer-songwriter John Lennon, particularly about his career and relationships.

In 2010, Taylor-Johnson got the breakthrough role as Kick-Ass/Dave Lizewski in the black comedy superhero film Kick-Ass, alongside Chloe Moretz and Nicolas Cage. The film introduced him to a broad American audience. He would later voice the same character in its video game Kick-Ass: The Game (2010). He also starred the same character in its sequel, Kick-Ass 2, released in 2013. 

He also appeared in the 2010 thriller drama film Chatroom as William, the 2011 romantic drama film Albert Nobbs as Joe, the 2012 crime-thriller film Savages as Ben, and the 2012 romantic film Anna Karenina as Vronsky. Taylor-Johnson then starred in two blockbuster films, the 2014 sci-fi action-adventure film Godzilla as Ford Brody and the 2015 sci-fi action-adventure film Avengers: Age of Ultron as Pietro Maximoff/Quicksilver. 

Later, he appeared in the 2016 neo-noir psychological thriller film Nocturnal Animals as Ray Marcus and the 2017 war thriller film The Wall, playing an American soldier, Isaac. 

After that, Taylor-Johnson appeared in the 2018 historical action drama film Outlaw King, in which he played the role of James Douglas, Lord of Douglas. That same year, he starred in a leading role as James Frey in the drama film A Million Little Pieces. The actor also appeared in the 2020 sci-fi action thriller film Tenet as a military commander Ives. He then starred as Lee Unwin in an upcoming period action spy film, The King's Man, scheduled to be released in December 2021.

Television Movies and Series

In 2003, he appeared as Sam Goodwin in the TV movie Behind Closed Doors and as Zac Clough in the TV series The Bill. The following year, he featured in the TV series Family Business as Paul Sullivan. He also appeared on the BBC's adaptation of the novel 'Feather Boy' in which he portrayed the role of Niker. In addition, Taylor-Johnson appeared on several other TV series. 

In 2006, he appeared on Casualty as Joey Byrne and I Shouldn't Be Alive as Mark. In 2007, he was cast as Aaron on Talk to Me, Owen Stephens on Nearly Famous, and Eoin on Coming Up. He also appeared in TV movies such as The Best Man (2006) as teenager Michael and Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars (2007) Finch.

Above all, Taylor-Johnson voiced the animated character Jaidan in the animation-comedy TV series Family Guy in 2014. In addition, he was the voice of The Condemned in the 2018 short drama The Last Meal. He also voiced the character, Mark, in the horror-mystery drama TV series Calls in 2021.

Sam Taylor Johnson and Aaron Taylor Johnson are set to be in the movie, A Million Little Pieces. Aaron Taylor also worked as a screenwriter for the movie. It is the adaptation of James Frey's novel. In an interview with Screenrant, Aaron mentioned that he loved the process of writing. The movie was filmed in just 20 days. 

New Projects 

'The King's Man'

Johnson is a cast member of the movie, The King's Man. The trailer for the movie was released by 20th Century Studio. It is the third movie in the action spy franchise and the storyline focuses on the formation of the Kingsman agency. In an interview, director Matthew Vaugh said that it is an origin story. The movie is set during World War I and follows a seasoned agent training a new recruit. The duo tries to stop an evil cabal from exterminating million. The movie will premier in theatres on 22 December 2021. 

'Rothko'

Additionally, Sam Taylor Johnson is also set to direct and produce Rothko. It is a bio-drama based on the adaptation of Lee Seldes' 1978 book 'The Legacy of Mark Rothko.' Aaron is also expected to be a part of the movie 

'Kraven The Hunter'

Aaron is the cast of the movie, Kraven The Hunter. The movie is in production and is estimated to release in 2023. He has been cast as the lead role in Sony's Marvel film. The director of the movie is J.C. Chandor. Kraven is an iconic and notorious antihero. He has had encounters with Venom, Black Panther, and many other Marvel heroes. He is popularly known for being Spider-man's enemy. 

'Bullet Train'

He is also a member of the movie, Bullet Train. The movie is currently in post-production. He plays the role of the main- assassin in the movie. In the movie, he also has scenes with Brad Pitt. 

Net Worth 

According to celebrity net worth, Aaron Taylor has an estimated net worth of $16 million dollars. 

Awards and Recognition

Taylor-Johnson was nominated for several awards and also won a few of them. His role in the film Nowhere Boy (2009) earned him the 'Empire Award' for Best Newcomer in 2010. 

He received many awards for his portrayal in Nocturnal Animals (2016). He won the 'BloodGuts UK Horror Award' under the category Best Supporting Actor in 2016, the 'CinEuphoria Award' for Best Supporting Actor - International Competition in 2017, the 'Virtuoso Award' at Santa Barbara International Film Festival in 2017, and the 'Golden Globe Award' for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture in 2017. He also received the 'Irina Palm Award' for Worst British Actor for film Chatroom (2010).

Wife

Taylor-Johnson tied the knot with director Sam Taylor-Wood On 21 June 2012. The two started dating during the filming of Nowhere Boy in May 2009. Taylor-Johnson is 23 years younger than his wife and is her second husband. The couple changed their last names to Taylor-Johnson after their marriage. The couple has been together for 13 years. The couple first met when Sam was 42 and Aaron was 18 while shooting for the film, Nowhere Boy.

Aaron revealed in an interview that prior to meeting his wife, he was self-destructive. He revealed that he was engaged in smoking and over-drinking.

Sam Taylor Johnson did not cast her husband, Aaron in the Fifty Shades of Grey movie which seemed concerning to many. In an interview, Aaron revealed that he was happy about it because if he was cast in the movie, it would have been a negative outlook on their relationship. It would be as if he was presented the role because of his wife rather than his caliber as an actor. 

Children

The pair welcomed their daughter Wylde Rae Johnson on 7 July 2010. Taylor-Johnson was 20 years old when he first became a father. Their second daughter Romy Hero Johnson was born on 18 January 2012. After marrying Sam, Johnson also became a stepfather to Sam's two daughters from her previous marriage.

House

Sam and Aaron Taylor- Johnson is a popular Hollywood couple known for their careers. In May 2021, the couple listed their Hollywood Hills home for $7.5 million. It is a Mediterranean villa that spans 5,500 square feet. Internally, the house is equipped with seven bedrooms and six bathrooms. Initially, the pair bought the villa in 2013 for $4.3 million. They got it a year after tying the knot. 

The house was built in 1926 and was designed by set decorator Harry McAfee. After purchase, the house was renovated by Piecer & Ward. They added bold Hollywood glamour wallpaper, vintage furniture, and jewel-toned fabrics. The house was previously owned by the late music industry executive Miles Copeland Jr. and the late actor Raymond Burr. 

News

According to GQ, Johnson was named as one of the top 50 best-dressed British men in 2015. He has also won the Golden Globe award. 

Height 

According to IMDB, Aaron Taylor is 5 feet and 11 inches tall.