Born:
August 23, 1966
in
London
Best Known For:
His epic journeys with best pal Ewan McGregor.
Early-life:
Born August 23, 1966, in Wimbledon, London, but spent much of his formative years in County Wicklow, Ireland. He is the son of costume designer Christel Kruse and film director John Boorman. He got an early start in the film business as a child actor, appearing in films directed by his father. As an adult, his films include The Serpent's Kiss (1997) on which he met Ewan McGregor, with whom he instantly bonded over a shared love of motorcycles. Prior to that he had worked as a painter and decorator to make ends meet.
Career:
Boorman's acting career also includes Excalibur and Hope and Glory (which also featured his older sister Katrine), The Emerald Forest and The Bunker. He took part in Long Way Round, an international motorcycle trip from London to New York via Europe and Asia with Ewan McGregor in 2004. This was recorded, then turned into a TV series, book and DVD. The series was shown around the world and the DVD and book became best sellers. Since then he has been a regular traveller and adventurer, including Race to Dakar and By Any Means. Boorman has also toured the UK with an 'evening with' style show and successfully battled testicular cancer.
Quote:
"In the Western world we fall apart if somebody breaks a leg, but I don't understand what all the fuss is about. In Third World countries they don't have the luxury of being able to wallow in self-pity. They see death every day and just get on with surviving."
Trivia:
Boorman's a supporter of Movember, UNICEF and Help for Heroes.