Nicholas Hoult’s transformation journey from a young boy with a shaggy haircut to a stylish Hollywood villain has captured widespread attention. In 2025, with his sleek blond hair and sharp, tailored outfits, Hoult solidified his star power in the film Superman, where he portrayed the villain Lex Luthor, earning praise for his commanding presence and fashion sense.
Hoult’s path to Hollywood prominence began decades earlier as a child actor in England. Over time, he evolved into a versatile and dedicated performer with a dynamic career that spans indie films, blockbuster franchises, and acclaimed television roles. Beyond his professional achievements, Hoult balances his life as a family man with partner Bryana Holly and their children.
The Early Spark: Talent Show Discovery in England
Nicholas Hoult was born in Wokingham, Berkshire, England, in 1989 and grew up in a large family alongside two sisters and an older brother. Although his parents worked outside the entertainment industry—his father as a pilot and his mother as a piano teacher—they supported his acting ambitions from the start.
Hoult’s journey began at a young age when he performed in the All England Singing and Dancing Championship in 1995. His act, singing a tune from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum while wearing a clown costume, attracted an agent’s attention, kick-starting his career.
At just five years old, Hoult earned his first film role in Intimate Relations. Reflecting on the experience, he described how during his audition he had to pretend to eat cake while hiding under a table, joking,
“I was like, ‘This is easy. I can do this all day.’”
He would later jest that whenever he reviews scripts, his decision to take a role depends on one critical question: “Will there be cake?”
“I remember them saying, ‘If you want to, do it, but you don’t have to,'”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
“For the audition, I had to sit under a table and pretend to eat cake,”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
“They send me the scripts, I say, ‘Will there be cake?’ If there is, then I’ll do it.”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
The Breakthrough Role and a Near Miss with Harry Potter
Hoult gained wider recognition with the 2002 film About a Boy, starring alongside Hugh Grant. Playing Marcus, an awkward child who forms a surprising friendship with Grant’s character, Hoult won critical acclaim and award nominations. However, Hoult revealed that before landing this role, he had auditioned for the Harry Potter films but was not cast.
Despite missing out on the blockbuster franchise, Hoult viewed About a Boy as a turning point in his career, and he attributed part of his growth to observing Hugh Grant on set. The experience left a lasting impression on Hoult, who described Grant as
“one of the most charming people in the world.”
“I could tell it was a bigger deal than other things, but by then I’d auditioned for ‘Harry Potter,'”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
“must have done something really special”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
“Just watching him was quite remarkable,”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
“He’s one of the most charming people in the world.”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
Rising Fame with British Television and Early Rejections in America
By the age of 18, Hoult starred in the controversial British TV series Skins, which portrayed the unfiltered realities of teenage life, including sex and drug use. Hoult defended the series, emphasizing its honest depiction of youth and criticizing those who failed to understand the show’s context.
The success of Skins brought Hoult considerable fame in the UK, with fans recognizing him wherever he went. However, breaking into American television was an uphill battle. Hoult auditioned for the CW reboot of Beverly Hills, 90210 but was dismissed early in the process without much explanation.
“That stuff’s in there because it’s a part of teenage life.”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
“Anybody who has a problem with ‘Skins’ obviously doesn’t understand teenage life.”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
“I’d be sitting in a car waiting for my little sister to come out of her classes, on a street corner, and there were like a hundred people gathered outside the car watching me.”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
“I did one reading, and then they were like, ‘Great, thanks,'”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
“I was like, ‘Should we put it on tape?’ And they were like, ‘No, I think we’re good.'”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
From Television Setback to Fashion Film with Tom Ford
Rejection from the 90210 reboot led Hoult to one of his most significant early film roles in Tom Ford’s directorial debut, A Single Man. Although Hoult was initially unfamiliar with Ford’s reputation, especially in fashion, he stepped into the project after another actor dropped out shortly before filming.
Working alongside Colin Firth on this critically acclaimed drama, Hoult developed a close friendship with his co-star, sharing a playful dynamic marked by the nicknames “Lollipop” for Hoult and “Jellybean” for Firth. Despite initial insecurities about replacing another actor, Hoult credited Ford for creating a comfortable atmosphere that helped him settle into the role.
“I looked him up on IMDb, and saw he’d only been ‘Himself’ in ‘Zoolander,’ so I was like, ‘Okay, that’s odd,'”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
“Knowing someone was there before you is a bit of an odd thing. You feel a bit of a fraud, like everyone’s judging you,”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
“But Tom made me feel very comfortable, and he said everything was meant to be.”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
“It was my birthday … and Colin bought me a giant lollipop, and I’ve bought him jellybeans previously,”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
On and Off Screen Romance with Jennifer Lawrence During X-Men Filming
Following the success of A Single Man, Hoult’s career expanded with a major role in the 2011 film X-Men: First Class, where he played Hank McCoy, also known as Beast. During filming, he began dating co-star Jennifer Lawrence, who portrayed Mystique. Their relationship garnered media attention, revealing a deep friendship alongside their romance.
Jennifer Lawrence described Hoult as her best friend and the person who made her laugh the most. Despite their breakup in 2014, which sources attributed to work-related separations, they remained on good terms and continued to collaborate on subsequent X-Men installments.
“[My boyfriend] is honestly my best friend, and hopefully I’m his best friend too,”
—Jennifer Lawrence, Actress
“He’s my favorite person to be around and makes me laugh harder than anybody.”
—Jennifer Lawrence, Actress
“They spent a lot of time apart because of work, and it was difficult on their relationship,”
—Source, E! News
The Rigorous Audition and Harsh Filming Conditions for Mad Max: Fury Road
In 2015, Hoult took on the role of Nux in Mad Max: Fury Road, directed by George Miller. The film, which featured stars like Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy, received critical acclaim and multiple Oscars. However, the audition process was demanding and unconventional, lasting five hours and involving intense acting exercises aimed at testing adaptability and focus.
Hoult recalled how co-screenwriter Nico Lathouris would use physical stimuli and word repetition exercises during auditions. Director Miller praised Hoult for navigating the verbal and tricky audition confidently. Filming in Namibia’s desert presented further challenges: blinding sandstorms, deafening engine noise, and extreme conditions made the shoot both disorienting and exhausting.
“It was five hours of acting games,”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
“Nico [Lathouris, the film’s co-screenwriter] would come up behind me with this rattle, and he’d give you words and you’d have to repeat them and move around this room.”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
“It was very tricky, very verbal,”
—George Miller, Director
“And Nick just seemed to get through that. He wasn’t daunted.”
—George Miller, Director
“The engines were incredibly loud. … There’s so much sand and dust you can’t see well. You’re flying blind.”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
Marriage and Fatherhood: Hoult’s Private Family Life
Nicholas Hoult’s personal life became more grounded after meeting model Bryana Holly in 2017. The couple welcomed their first son, Joaquin, in 2018 and a second child in 2022, whose details remain private. Although Hoult has kept much of his family life out of the spotlight, he eventually confirmed his marriage to Holly in 2024, maintaining the couple’s preference for privacy.
Describing family gatherings, Hoult shared a glimpse into their holiday traditions, which include simple pleasures like sharing meals and watching movies together. He also invented a playful dice game that involves humorous challenges, revealing his fun, hands-on approach to fatherhood.
“Just having a nice meal and hanging out … and hopefully see some good movies,”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
“When someone gets a six, they have to put on oven gloves, a hat, a scarf, and then grab a knife and fork and try and eat … as much as they can of [a] chocolate bar before the next person in the circle rolls a six.”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
Collaboration and Chemistry with Elle Fanning in The Great and Beyond
Hoult’s partnership with Elle Fanning began with the 2014 film Young Ones, where they played a married couple. They reunited on the television series The Great in 2020, with Hoult portraying the volatile Peter III and Fanning playing Catherine the Great. Their off-screen rapport contrasted with their on-screen turbulent relationship, and both actors found common ground from their shared experiences as former child actors.
Hoult appreciated the complexity of his character, noting that despite his faults, Peter III possessed admirable qualities as a ruler. The show also caught the eye of legendary director Clint Eastwood, who cast Hoult in his 2023 film Juror #2. This experience provided Hoult with a unique opportunity to reunite with Toni Collette, who had played his mother in About a Boy, fostering a renewed friendship under new circumstances.
“We have this history of him not being a great husband to me.”
—Elle Fanning, Actress
“Our perspectives on it are the same, where it sits in our life is the same,”
—Elle Fanning, Actress
“Even when he’s an idiot he’s also weirdly quite right about a lot of things in terms of what it takes to be a ruler. That’s quite an admirable quality,”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
“When my agents called me and said, ‘Clint Eastwood wants to speak to you,’ I was like, ‘what?! Really?! How does he even know who I am?'”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
“It was this weird thing where I opened the door and was looking at her [in a new way]. I was like, ‘You played my mom and were so kind to me,'”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
“And now I’m an adult and we don’t really know each other in our current forms. But it still felt very safe.”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
“We got to become friends properly, and it’s been a total gift,”
—Toni Collette, Actress
“It’s a treat to come back together again.”
—Toni Collette, Actress
Exploring Psychological Depth in Nosferatu
In 2024, Hoult took on the role of Thomas Hutter in the horror film Nosferatu, directed by Robert Eggers. Playing the husband of Ellen, portrayed by Lily-Rose Depp, Hoult conveyed a nuanced portrayal that moved beyond simple heroism. He described Thomas as “kind of misguided,” deeply loving his wife yet unable to fully comprehend her struggles.
Hoult praised Eggers for his filmmaking and expressed gratitude for the chance to work with a director whose films he admired. The actor also revealed his appreciation for classic horror, mentioning that he recently revisited the tragic and beautiful film Frankenstein, which he said explores humanity through a unique and heartbreaking lens.
“Actually, Thomas Hutter is kind of misguided,”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
“He loves his wife so much, but he can’t listen to her fully or understand what she’s going through.”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
“I love Robert Eggers movies, so I felt very lucky to be in one,”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
“So tragic, that story, but beautiful as well,”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
Missing Superman but Perfecting Lex Luthor
For the 2025 Superman film, Hoult originally auditioned for the role of Superman but was cast as the villain Lex Luthor instead. The part of Superman went to David Corenswet, and Hoult immediately recognized Corenswet’s suitability for the role during their shared audition, admiring his presence and physical attributes.
The two actors developed a strong friendship during filming and the promotional tour. Corenswet expressed that Hoult’s casting as Lex Luthor elevated the film’s dynamic, emphasizing that a superhero‘s appeal often depends on the strength of their villain. Hoult also shared a memorable moment consenting to have his son Joaquin shave his head for the Luthor character’s look, turning it into a fun DIY experience.
“He stood up, and I was like, ‘Goddamn, he’s about an inch taller than me. Look at his hair. Look at his jawline,'”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
“In that moment, whilst we were shaking hands, I was like, ‘I’d be happy if this guy was Superman.’ I was like, ‘You’re perfect for it.'”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
“The day that I found out that he had agreed to play Lex Luthor, I thought, ‘This may be the best thing that happens to this film because a superhero is only as interesting as their villain,'”
—David Corenswet, Actor
“I gave him the clippers and just said, ‘Go on,'”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
“It was fun for him, it was like a little, you know, DIY project.”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
Nicholas Hoult’s transformation journey highlights his unusual progression from child actor to a multifaceted talent and style icon, proving his resilience amid industry challenges and his ability to embrace diverse roles. His evolving persona—both on and off the screen—promises continued impact in Hollywood’s landscape as he balances artistry with personal fulfillment.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Are Jennifer Lawrence and Nicholas Hoult still friends?
A. Hoult and Lawrence were in a relationship for five years after they first met while filming the franchise’s debut movie. They’ve stayed friends since their breakup.
Q. Was Nicholas Hoult in Game of Thrones?
A. Nicholas Hoult, known from X-Men, shared that he tried out for the role of Jon Snow in Game of Thrones. His attempt was unsuccessful due to “dodgy hair extensions and fake tan.” Hoult, who started acting as a child in About a Boy, discussed his audition experience with the New York Post.
