Simon Baker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Simon Baker
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Baker in February 2020
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Simon Lucas Baker
30 July 1969 Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
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| Years active | 1992–present |
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Rebecca Rigg
(m. 1998; separated 2020) |
| Children | 3, including Stella |
Simon Lucas Baker (born July 30, 1969) is a well-known Australian actor and director. He first became famous on the Australian TV show E Street from 1992 to 1993. Later, he starred in the CBS legal drama The Guardian (2001–2004). For this role, he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award in 2002.
From 2008 to 2015, he played Patrick Jane in the popular drama series The Mentalist. This role earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in 2009. Simon Baker has also appeared in many movies. Some of his notable films include L.A. Confidential (1997), The Devil Wears Prada (2006), and Margin Call (2011).
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Early Life and Childhood
Simon Lucas Baker was born in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, on July 30, 1969. His father, Barry, worked as a mechanic. His mother, Elizabeth, was a high school English teacher. Simon has an older sister and three half-siblings.
When Simon was nine months old, his family moved to New Guinea. His parents separated when he was two years old. His mother later remarried, but Simon did not get along well with his stepfather. His mother and stepfather eventually divorced.
Simon spent some of his childhood in Sydney but mostly grew up in Lennox Head, New South Wales. This is a coastal town in Northern Rivers. He went to high school at Ballina High School and Trinity Catholic College. Simon has loved surfing since he was young. He believes surfing and his friends from surfing were very important to his childhood.
Simon Baker's Acting Career
Simon Baker's very first acting job was in a TV commercial. He got the part by chance while waiting for a friend's audition. Before moving to Hollywood, he acted in several Australian TV shows. These included E Street (1992–1993), Home and Away (1993–1994), and Heartbreak High (1996). In 1993, he won a Logie Award for Most Popular New Talent.
Simon moved to the United States in the mid-1990s. In 1997, he had a supporting role in the movie L.A. Confidential.
He is widely recognized for playing Patrick Jane in The Mentalist. He also played Nick Fallin in The Guardian. For his role in The Mentalist, he earned a lot of money.
In movies, he is known for his roles as Max Rourke in The Ring Two. He also played Riley Denbo in Land of the Dead. Another famous role was Christian Thompson in The Devil Wears Prada.
Simon Baker also became a director. His first movie as a director was Breath in 2017. He also acted in, co-wrote, and co-produced this film. The movie is based on a Tim Winton novel.
Awards and Recognition
In June 2012, Simon Baker was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. This is the group that gives out the Oscars.
On February 14, 2013, Simon was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This star celebrates his important contributions to entertainment. His star is located at 6352 Hollywood Blvd.
Personal Life
Simon Baker married Australian actress Rebecca Rigg on October 2, 1998. They had lived together for five years before getting married. Simon once shared on The Ellen Degeneres Show that one of their two weddings was held on a beach.
They have three children: a daughter named Stella and two sons. Simon and Rebecca separated in April 2020.
Simon was raised Catholic, but he later became agnostic. He is also a fan of the rugby league team, the Parramatta Eels.
Selected Film and Television Roles
Simon Baker has appeared in many films and television shows. Here are some of his notable roles:
Films
- L.A. Confidential (1997) as Matt Reynolds
- Restaurant (1998) as Kenny
- Red Planet (2000) as Chip Pettengill
- The Ring Two (2005) as Max Rourke
- Land of the Dead (2005) as Riley Denbo
- The Devil Wears Prada (2006) as Christian Thompson
- ... and Death 101 (2007) as Roderick Blank
- Margin Call (2011) as Jared Cohen
- Breath (2017) as Bill 'Sando' Sanderson (also director, co-producer, co-writer)
- High Ground (2020) as Travis (also executive producer)
- Limbo (2023) as Travis Hurley (also executive producer)
Television Shows
- E Street (1992–1993) as Constable Sam Farrell
- Home and Away (1993–1994) as James Hudson
- Heartbreak High (1995–1996) as Mr. Thomas 'Tom' Summers
- The Guardian (2001–2004) as Nick Fallin (also director)
- The Mentalist (2008–2015) as Patrick Jane (also director and producer)
- Boy Swallows Universe (2024) as Robert Bell
Awards and Nominations
Simon Baker has received many awards and nominations throughout his career.
- 1993: Won the Logie Award for Most Popular New Talent for E Street.
- 2002: Nominated for a Golden Globe Award for The Guardian.
- 2009: Nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for The Mentalist.
- 2012: Won the Independent Spirit Robert Altman Award for Margin Call.
- 2017: Honored with the Trailblazer Award at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards.
- 2018: Won Best Direction in a Feature Film for Breath.
- 2018: Won Best Supporting Actor for Breath.
- 2019: Won Best Supporting Actor and Best Script for Breath.
- 2024: Won Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Boy Swallows Universe.
See also
In Spanish: Simon Baker para niños
