Jude Law has opened up about a career regret, expressing a wish that he had embraced his looks differently in his younger years, particularly now that he acknowledges himself as “saggy and balding.”
The 51-year-old actor revealed that he attempted to challenge perceptions of a handsome leading man during his twenties, opting for roles that deviated from traditional heartthrob characters. While Law gained recognition for roles like Dickie Greenleaf in “The Talented Mr. Ripley” and a charming father figure in “The Holiday,” he also ventured into more unconventional characters, such as a disabled former athlete in “Gattaca” and a male sex worker in “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.”
However, Law’s latest role in the historical drama “Firebrand,” where he portrays Henry VIII, required a significant physical transformation. With a long silver beard and deep wrinkles, Law embraced the challenge of embodying a less conventionally attractive character, finding it “satisfying.”
Reflecting on his earlier career choices, Law admitted to DuJour magazine that he wishes he had leaned into his looks more. He remarked, “[In my twenties], I was trying to play against my looks, and now that I’m saggy and balding, I wish I had played it up.”
In recent years, Law has gravitated towards roles that don’t rely on traditional attractiveness, finding fulfillment in portraying characters that diverge from the typical leading man archetype.
In “Firebrand,” Law stars alongside Alicia Vikander, embodying the iconic historical figure of Henry VIII. Law described the demanding process of getting into character, which involved wearing heavy costumes throughout filming to maintain Henry’s imposing presence.
Law’s commitment to authenticity extended to wearing a distinctive scent to accurately depict Henry VIII’s notorious odor during the film’s press conference at Cannes Film Festival.
As Law continues to navigate his career, he reflects on past choices while embracing new opportunities to portray diverse and compelling characters on screen.