Taron Egerton
A Welsh actor who leapt from drama school to global fame as a street-smart secret agent, then proved his range with raw performances as Elton John and a troubled soldier.
Born 1989 (age 37)·Welsh actor·Birthday: November 10·Millennials
Biography
Taron Egerton's rise felt like something from a movie script. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, he was plucked from relative obscurity to star as Gary 'Eggsy' Unwin in Matthew Vaughn's 'Kingsman: The Secret Service'. His blend of cheeky charm and physical grit made the film a smash and turned him into an instant star. He deftly avoided being pigeonholed, showcasing vocal talent as a singing gorilla in the 'Sing' films. His transformative turn as Elton John in 'Rocketman' was a career pivot, requiring him to perform the icon's songs himself and deliver a vulnerable, non-sanitized portrayal that won a Golden Globe. He continues to balance blockbuster appeal with gritty dramatic work, as seen in the TV miniseries 'Black Bird', establishing himself as a versatile and committed character actor.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Taron was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Taron Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Taron's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Elton John in 'Rocketman' (2019).
- Headlined the commercially successful 'Kingsman' film franchise, beginning with 2014's 'The Secret Service'.
- Earned critical acclaim and a BAFTA TV Award nomination for his role in the crime drama miniseries 'Black Bird' (2022).
Did You Know?
He is a fluent Welsh speaker.
He performed all of Elton John's songs himself in 'Rocketman', after intensive vocal training.
He was originally rejected from RADA but gained entry on his second attempt.
He voiced Johnny the gorilla in the 'Sing' animated film series.
“I think the most interesting characters are the ones that are flawed.”
