With his strawberry-blond hair and handsome features, musician-turned-actor Max Beesley vaulted to stardom in the leading role of the 1997 BBC miniseries "The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling" (shown in the USA on A&E in 1998). This son of a jazz musician and a jazz singer, in the words of his stepbrother Jason, would do "anything for a laugh [so] everyone assumed that one day Max would end up on television." Beesley, instead, pursued a career in music. Although he won a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, he dropped out to work as a backup singer and musician for singers and bands ranging from Take That and Jamiroquai to George Michael and Paul Weller. In 1995, Beesley watched the video of Martin Scorsese's 1980 masterpiece "Raging Bull" and was inspired to become an actor. Taking his savings, he flew to NYC and worked with acting coach Sheila Gray. After nine months, he returned to England and eventually auditioned for the role of Tom Jones. Through a combination of talent and charm, Beesley managed to deliver a fine portrayal of the randy hero that matched Albert Finney's in Tony Richardson's 1963 Oscar-winning film. Based on his success, the actor was signed for his first feature role in the romantic drama "The Match" (1999).
Family
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Father: Maxton Gig Beesley Sr. divorced from Beesley s mother c. 1972
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Half-sister: Katie. born c. 1979
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Mother: Chris Marlowe. divorced from Beesley s father c. 1972
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Step-brother: Jason. born c. 1969
Significant Others
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Companion: Carmen Ejogo. of Scottish and Nigerian descent; together from c. 1993 to c. 1998; Beesley has stated the couple was sort of engaged, although he does not believe in marriage; exchanged rings; no longer together
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Companion: Melanie Brown. born c. 1975; reportedly dating after her separation from husband Jimmy Gulzar with whom she had a daughter Phoenix Chi
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Companion: Melanie Sykes. living together as of 1999; no longer together
Education
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Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, England
Milestones
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1993 Was a backup singer and percussionist or keyboardist for a number of singers and groups including Take That, Jamiroquai and George Michael
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1996 Moved to Manhattan to study acting for nine months (date approximate)
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1997 Starred in the BBC TV miniseries The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling ; aired in the USA on A&E in 1998 under the title Tom Jones
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1999 Portrayed an artist who becomes hooked on heroin in The Last Minute and a musician who witnesses a murder in Five Seconds to Spare
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2000 Cast in first feature role in The Match
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Dropped out of school to pursue a career as a musician
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Raised in Burnage, England