Born: 27 May 1971, in Harlesden, London.

Paul Bettany is an English actor best known for his roles as Geoffrey Chaucer in A Knight's Tale (2001), Charles Herman in A Beautiful Mind (2001), Stephen Maturin in Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003), Peter Colt in Wimbledon (2004) and as Silas in The Da Vinci Code (2006).

My plan - well, it isn't much of a plan, but it's mine and I like it - is to try to do lots of different things.

Born in London, both his parents were actors. He first found success in A Knight's Tale. After casting director Jane Jenkins saw him in an early cut of the film, he got the role of Russell Crowe's roommate in the Oscar winning A Beautiful Mind. He starred with Crowe again in the Oscar nominated Master and Commander.

He is married to the actress Jennifer Connelly, whom he met during the production of A Beautiful Mind. They have a son, Stellan, born August 5, 2003.