Stuart Townsend was born in Howth, County Dublin in 1972. Although his father, Peter Townsend was a professional golfer, Stuart was determined to be an actor and began his career by appearing in a number of student films, while attending the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin. He supported himself by boxing until his first feature film debut in Trojan Eddie. Although his part was small, Townsend attracted a London agent and began appearing in numerous stage and film productions in England and Ireland. America began to take notice of Stuart's talents when he appeared in two films featured in the 2000 Sundance Film Festival, in one of which, About Adam, he took the title role. His most recent projects include Queen of the Damned and a romantic relationship with Charlize Theron.


Studied drama at the Gaiety School of Acting, Dublin, Ireland. Son of Peter and Lorna Townsend Before fame, Stuart and his friends formed a theatre group in Dublin, Ireland where they re-enacted scenes from the kids' show "Le manège enchanté" (1964) (The Magic Roundabout). Stuart played Ermintrude the Cow. Charlize Theron thanked him in her Oscar acceptance speech (2004). Irish citizen. Split with Charlize Theron in January 2010 after 9 years together.