Jude Law was born on December 29, 1972 in South London, England. With one older sister Natasha, Jude's parents decided to name him after the famous Beatles song, "Hey Jude".

At the early age of 12, Jude began acting with The National Youth Music Theatre in various productions and festivals. He made his first television appearance in a musical of Beatrix Potter's, "The Tail of Gloucester". By 17, Jude decided to drop out of school and join the cast of the UK soap "Families" in 1990. His acting career was only just starting. In a few short years, Jude would make his way to the London stage, Broadway and the silver screens of Hollywood.
Jude toured Italy in 1992 in the stage production of "Pygmalion". His London stage debut was in "The Fastest Clock in the Universe". Then came "The Snow Orchid", "Live Like Pigs" and "Death of a Salesman".

Then in 1994, came the Jean Cocteau play "Les Parents Terribles", which caused a sensation. Jude was nominated for the Olivier Award for "Outstanding Newcomer". But was most memorable for having a brief nude scene exiting a bathtub on stage. He reprised his role on Broadway in 1995, where the play was renamed "Indiscretions". Jude received a Tony nomination for "Outstanding Supporting Actor". Jude also received a nomination for the Ian Charleston Award as "Best Young Classical Actor" for his performances in "Indiscretions" and in Euripedes' "Ion".

After playing parts UK television shows like "The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes" and "The Marshal", Jude made his film debut in 1992 as the lead in The Crane, a short film made for the British Film Institute. In 1994, Jude made Shopping, playing one of the leads. The much anticipated British film was a critical and box office dud.

But Jude bounced back with small parts in the films Gattaca, I Love You, I Love You Not, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Wilde and Music From Another Room. While gaining critical notices, none of this films hit fire at the box office. Is Jude concerned with becoming a huge Hollywood star? Hardly. Finding good roles, developing his acting skills and making quality films has lead Jude on his path in the acting world.

Continuing his taste for challenging roles, Jude next starred in David Cronenberg's eXistenZ with Jennifer Jason Leigh and took the role of playing himself in the improvisational film Final Cut which also starred his wife, actress Sadie Frost. And then came his role as Dickie Greenleaf in the Anthony Minghella directed suspense drama The Talented Mr. Ripley (with Matt Damon and Gwyneth Paltrow), for which he recieved Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor. Jude is being touted as the "next big thing" in Hollywood, which finally caught up to the theatre world, Britian and Jude's legion of fans, who already know Jude is the real deal. Not just a beautiful face, but a stunning actor with amazing range. With starring roles in the war epic Enemy at the Gates, Steven Spielberg's A.I. Artificial Intelligence and Road To Perdition, Jude has established himself as one of the most versatile actors of his generation.

Facts about Jude Law:

His full name is David Jude Law.

Has two children with wife Sadie Frost: son, Rafferty (born 1996), and daughter, Iris (born 25 October 2000).

In 2003 he divorced his wife Sadie Frost.

One stepson, Finley.

Former roommate of Ewan McGregor.

(2000) On People (USA) magazine's '50 Most Beautiful' list.

Jude's parents were school teachers, but now run a theater company in France. He has one older sister, Natasha, who is a photographer.

Is a vegetarian.

Has a tattoo on his left forearm of words from a Beatles song, "Sexy Sadie," which states "You came along to turn on everyone Sexy Sadie," representing his wife Sadie Frost.

Dropped out of the movie "From Hell" (2001).