Who is Sean Bean? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

British Celebrities Born In April

Also Known As: Shaun Mark Bean

Age: 63 Years, 63 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Debra James (m. 1981; div. 1988) Melanie Hill

father: Brian Bean

mother: Rita Bean

siblings: Lorraine Bean

children: Evie Natasha Bean, Lorna Bean, Molly Bean

Born Country: England

Actors British Men

Height: 5'10" (178 cm), 5'10" Males

City: Sheffield, England

More Facts

education: Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art

Recommended For You

Recommended Lists:

Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art

Aries Actors

British Actors

Actors Who Are In Their 60s

Childhood & Early Life

Sean Bean was born Shaun Mark Bean on 17 April 1959, in Handsworth, a suburb of Sheffield. His father Brian Bean owned a fabrication shop, providing livelihood to over 50 people, and his mother Rita worked as a secretary there. Sean also has a younger sister named Lorraine.

As a child, he smashed a glass window in anger that left a piece of glass embedded in his leg; he struggled while walking for a while and had a large scar from it. This prevented him from pursuing his childhood dream of becoming a professional football player.

Sean left ‘Brook Comprehensive School’ with O levels in Art and English in 1975. He then went to ‘Rotherham College of Arts and Technology,’ where he took a welding course while working on his father’s firm.

Eventually, he shifted to drama classes at the ‘Rotherham College’ and won a scholarship to the ‘Royal Academy of Dramatic Art’ where he started a seven-term course in 1981.

Continue Reading Below

Recommended Lists:

British Film & Theater Personalities

Aries Men

Career

Sean Bean made his professional debut in theatre by playing Tybalt in ‘Romeo & Juliet’ (1983), produced by ‘The Royal Shakespeare Company.’ He made many stage appearances for the company between 1986 and 1988. During this time, he also appeared in his first film, Derek Jarman's ‘Caravaggio’ in 1986.

He featured in the ‘BBC’ productions, ‘Clarissa’ and ‘Lady Chatterley’ in 1991 and 1993 respectively. Meanwhile, he was signed for the role of Richard Sharpe, the maverick rifleman from the ‘Napoleonic Wars,’ in the ‘ITV’ television series ‘Sharpe.’ He became very famous for his portrayal of Richard Sharpe, a character whose credibility was enhanced due to Bean’s Yorkshire accent.

Sean Bean’s portrayal of antagonists in films like ‘Patriot Games’ (1992), ‘Golden Eye’ (1995), and ‘National Treasure’ (2004) has earned him a lot of popularity. These roles, however, also led to him being stereotyped as someone who could play negative roles with ease.

His role of Boromir in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ film trilogy took his already flourishing career to newer heights. Some of the other popular films and television shows Sean Bean has appeared in include ‘Essex Boys’ (2000), ‘The Island’ (2005), ‘Equilibrium’ (2002), ‘Troy’ (2004), ‘Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief’ (2010), ‘Cash’ (2010), and ‘Accused’ (2012).

In 2015, Sean appeared in supporting roles in movies like ‘Pixels’ and ‘The Martian.’ The following year, he appeared in the biblical drama ‘The Young Messiah.’ He showed his acting prowess in movies like ‘Drone’ (2017) and ‘Dark River’ (2017). He was also the narrator of the multiple-award-winning short film ‘Taniel’ (2018).

He has also been seen in television shows like ‘Legends’ (2014-15), ‘Roman Empire: Reign of Blood’ (2016), ‘The Frankenstein Chronicles’ (2015-17), and ‘The Oath’ (2018).

In 2019, he was cast to play John Parse in the American science-fiction thriller film ‘Possessor’ which also has actors like Christopher Abbott, Andrea Riseborough, Tuppence Middleton, and Jennifer Jason Leigh playing important roles.

Major Works

Sean Bean established himself as a talented character actor with his role of Richard Sharpe in the TV series ‘Sharpe.’ The character was of a maverick rifleman from the ‘Napoleonic Wars.’ His Yorkshire accent added to the authenticity of the character. Over the course of the series, his character evolved from being Sergeant Richard Sharpe to Lieutenant Colonel Richard Sharpe and went through many ups and downs.

He is also extremely popular for playing the role of Eddard 'Ned' Stark in the television series ‘Game of Thrones.’ The series, which was an adaptation of the ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ series of novels by George R. R. Martin, helped him reach the pinnacle of his acting career. Bean won the audiences’ hearts with his portrayal of Ned Stark, a man of honor, courage, and loyalty. Ned Stark’s death in the first season broke every fan’s heart.

Continue Reading Below

Awards & Achievements

In 2003, Sean Bean received the ‘Screen Actors Guild’ award, the ‘National Board of Review’ award, and the ‘Broadcast Film Critics Association’ award for ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.’

He won the ‘Portal Award’ for ‘Best Actor,’ ‘IGN Summer Movie Award’ for ‘Best TV Hero,’ and ‘IGN People's Choice Award’ for ‘Best TV Hero’ for his role in ‘Game of Thrones’ in 2011.

In 2013, Sean Bean was awarded under the ‘Best Actor’ category at the ‘Royal Television Society’ awards and also won an ‘International Emmy Award’ for his portrayal of Simon / Tracie in the television series ‘Accused.’

Personal Life

Sean Bean has been married five times and divorced four times. In 1981, he married his secondary school sweetheart Debra James and divorced her in 1988. In 1990, he married actress Melanie Hill, and the duo divorced in 1997. The same year, Bean married actress Abigail Cruttenden but the marriage didn’t even last for three years as they ended their marriage with a divorce in 2000.

Bean started dating actress Georgina Sutcliffe in 2006 and they got married in 2008. The marriage was a volatile one; the police had been called three times due to complaints of domestic disturbances in their household. Eventually, they ended their marriage in 2010. Bean married Ashley Moore on June 30, 2017.

He has a total of three children; a daughter and a son with ex-wife Melanie Hill and a daughter with ex-wife Abigail Cruttenden.

Trivia

The actor has a tattoo of number nine on his shoulder in reference to his involvement in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ films.

Sean is a diehard fan of the ‘Sheffield United Football Club.’

He was afraid of flying before working on ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy.

While filming for ‘Patriot Games,’ Sean received a permanent scar when he was hit by Harrison Ford with a boat hook.

Sean Bean Biography