Paul Bettany was born into a theatre family. His father, Thane, is still an actor. His mother has retired from acting. He has an older sister who is a mother and a writer and he has a niece. His maternal grandmother, Olga Gwynne (her maiden and stage name), was a successful actress, while his maternal grandfather was a musician and promoter. He was brought up in North West London and after the age of 9 in Hertfordshire (Brookmans Park). Immediately after finishing at Drama Centre he went into the West End to join the cast of 'An Inspector Calls', though when asked to go on tour with this play he chose to stay in England.


Son of Thane Bettany and Anne Kettle. Has one older sister named Sarah, who lives in Cornwall (England) with her daughter Emaly. Also plays the guitar, and used to busk on Westminster Bridge in London. Has a stepson named Kai Dugan (mother is Jennifer Connelly). Son's name is Stellan, named after the actor Stellan Skarsgård who acted with him in Kiss Kiss (Bang Bang) (2000) and Dogville (2003). Has appeared in many theatre productions, debuting in Stephen Daldry's production of "An Inspectors Calls," grabbing the American film industry's attention in Joe Penhall's "Love and Understanding." He also appeared in "One More Waster Year" and "Stranger's House." Paul's "acting heroes" are Humphrey Bogart, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Peter O'Toole and Vincent Cassel. Won Evening Standard Film Award 2001 for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Geoffrey Chaucer in A Knight's Tale (2001). Dated Laura Fraser. Lists his favourite foods as cheese and broccoli; and his favourite drink is whisky. He had to wear a wig for The Da Vinci Code because when they bleached his hair the bleach burned bleeding holes in his head. His son's godfather is the actor Charlie Condou who starred with him in Dead Babies (2000) and Euston Road (2004).