Tom Hardy has had an interesting history, and while his name wasn't always well-known, it definitely is now. The actor got quite a bit of an interesting start and has worked his way all the way up to being the lead villain in a DC movie, easily gaining him the reputation as one of the best to portray Venom. He has also had his share of action movies, such as Lawless when he starred alongside other major actors and rom-coms, such as This is War with Reese Witherspoon and Chris Pine.
His most recent movie role to date is none other than Capone, which received some pretty hefty mixed reviews. While it left fans and critics with questions as well as criticisms, it's still yet another movie credit that Hardy can add to his list. So what else is known about the actor both before fame and after? Keep scrolling to find out.
13 Back In The 90s, Hardy Was Actually A Model
He even won a modeling competition (see above photo) and it's not surprising to see why. Before the man-bun was popular, Hardy was already pulling off the man-headband better than any other guy out there. Perfectly-arched eyebrows and a smoldering smile are all it took to win over the lady's hearts and catapult him to stardom.
12 There's Something Off About His Pinky Finger That You Might Have Noticed In Movies
It's not uncommon for actors to get banged up during their careers. During an unfortunate incident involving a cutting board, a sharp knife, and Hardy's pinky finger, the result ended up being the severing of a tendon in that hand. Because of that, the actor will never be able to fully extend his finger, thus giving it the appearance that some fans with a keen eye might catch in his close-up movie scenes.
11 The Actor Has Been Recognized By The Royal Family And Has Close Ties
The common stereotype is that every British person has ties with the Royal Family, but that's simply not true. Hardy, on the other hand, does have close ties with them - and even serves as Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, as well as the ambassador to the Prince's Trust.
10 Remember The Lobster Scene From Venom? It Was Hardy's Idea
This actor doesn't just have a talent when it comes to acting, he also has some serious skills in ad-libbing, too. The ever-so-popular lobster scene from Venom was actually done spontaneously, as Hardy went off-script to film it. It was so well-received that producers decided to leave it in the movie.
9 His First Tattoo Happened When He Was Only 15-Years-Old
Hardy has been getting tattoos from a very young age and in most movies, they're not even covered up. His first tattoo was inspired by his Irish lineage and was a fighting leprechaun. Since then, he's gotten many a tattoo in tribute to his career and various movie roles, some with a more interesting story than the rest.
8 One Of Those Tattoos Is From A Losing Bet To None Other Than Leonardo DiCaprio
Of the most interesting tattoos (and possibly one of the funniest) is a tattoo that he got when he found himself on the losing end of a bet with none other than Leonardo DiCaprio. The tattoo reads, "Leo Knows All", and it was inked after his time spent filming The Revenant.
7 Music (Specifically Rapping) Was His First Career Choice
That's right - the actor hadn't always wanted to go into acting. Many actors start off with dreams and goals that didn't necessarily lead them to the red carpet, and Hardy was no different. The star had originally wanted to be a rapper but when that didn't pan out, he explored other options - and we're sure glad he did.
6 He Had Some Beef With Shia LaBeouf And Almost Came To Blows With Him
According to LaBeouf, back in 2019, the supposed "beef" on set between the two was nothing but playful rough-housing after Hardy had come back from the gym one day. Supposedly, their scuffle got too close to a flight of stairs, Hardy fell down them, and claimed that his co-star had knocked him out - the truth remains to be seen, though.
5 He Has Been Sober For Over 15 Years Now, Something He Speaks Of Openly
While Hardy is a mostly private guy, he has spoken out about his sobriety. For 15 years, the actor has been clean and sober and uses his personal history as a way to motivate and encourage others to take the same path if need be. He hopes that his history will inspire others to make the same positive changes.
4 The Actor Once Apprehended A Criminal Fleeing From A Crime Scene
That's right - not only can he play both a good guy and a bad guy, but Hardy has also been involved in some serious criminal takedown. Upon encountering a criminal who was fleeing on foot from the cops, the actor chased, tackled, and withheld the offender until the police arrived on the scene.
