© Getty Images/NL Beeld

Roots - Colin Andrew Firth was born on September 10, 1960 in Grayshott, Hampshire in England.

© Shutterstock

Globetrotter - Colin Firth's parents traveled for work, so as a child he lived in Nigeria, and later in St. Louis, Missouri.

© Getty Images

Back to school in the UK - To avoid being bullied, he adopted a Hampshire working-class accent and shared a disinterest in school with his schoolmates.

© Shutterstock

Crush - The actor had a huge crush on Doris Day
when he was a young boy. Day was 87 years old when Firth called her to confess his schoolboy crush.

© Getty Images

Love and a cabin - Firth had a relationship with Canadian actress Meg Tilly. They moved to Canada, had a child, and lived in a cabin in the woods. Sounds like a movie, doesn't it?

© NL Beeld

Family - He was married to Italian director Livia Giuggioli from 1997 to 2019. They have two children together.

© Getty Images

Home - The actor and his family now live between Chiswick, London and Umbria, Italy.

© Getty Images

Mamma Mia! - The actor speaks fluent Italian.

© Getty Images

'Dumbo' makes him cry - Reportedly, Firth cries every time he watches the Disney classic.

© NL Beeld

Archery - The actor is actually pretty good with a bow and arrow, a talent he discovered while he was in school.

© iStock

Brit Pack - Firth was part of a young generation of British actors who made it into Hollywood in the late '80s. Others include Gary Oldman (pictured), Tim Roth, Bruce Payne, and Paul McGann.

© Getty Images

Secret dating life - Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle actually dated while shooting the BBC drama 'Pride and Prejudice.' The media only found out about it after they broke up.

© Getty Images

Mr. Darcy - Mr. Darcy's wet shirt scene from 'Pride and Prejudice' was so iconic that a statue was made to depict it.

© NL Beeld

Uncharming - The actor took the role of Mark Darcy in 'Bridget Jones's Diary,' thinking it would be fun to play a man who didn't need to be charming.

© NL Beeld

Rivalry - Hugh Grant and Colin Firth played rivals in 'Bridget Jones's Diary.' They're actually buddies in real life, though they do throw a few potshots at each other now and again. But what friends don't?

© NL Beeld

Feud - Unlike the previous example, Colin Firth and Rupert Everett actually were feuding for years. Things might be better nowadays.

© Getty Images

Heartthrob - In 2001, the actor was voted one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People.

© Getty Images

Guitar - Playing the guitar is one of Firth’s favorite hobbies. And yes, he did play for real in 'Mamma Mia!'

© NL Beeld

Mosquitoes, actually -

While filming a 'Love Actually' scene in very shallow waters, Colin Firth was almost eaten alive by mosquitoes. He was bitten so badly that he required medical attention.

© NL Beeld

Voice -

The actor was cast to voice Paddington Bear in 'Paddington,' but in the end director Paul King decided to replace him because his voice sounded like "a very handsome older man, who has the most beautiful voice on the planet."

© NL Beeld

Hollywood star - In 2011, Firth was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

© Getty Images

The King's Burger - Colin Firth loves a good burger. So much so that he said he would go for one to celebrate if he won an Oscar (which he did in the end). Burger King then invited him to do so at one of their restaurants, and to create his own signature burger (though apparently he got a burger elsewhere).

© iStock

'The King's Speech' - His brilliant performance earned him his first Oscar, as well as other prestigious awards, including a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, a Critics' Choice Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

© NL Beeld

Stutter - The actor found it hard to stop stammering like King George VI after he finished shooting the film.

© Getty Images

Unusual shout out - During his speech for 'A Single Man' at the BAFTAs, he thanked his refrigerator repairman. Firth was about to send an email refusing the role, when he was interrupted by the "fridge guy." Firth then reconsidered the role and accepted it.

© Getty Images

Stalker - The actor took legal action against an Italian journalist named Marco Brancaccia, for harassing and threatening him and his wife, who had an affair with the stalker.

© Getty Images

Tough training - Firth worked out very intensely for six months to prepare for his role in 'Kingsman: The Secret Service.'

© NL Beeld

Activism - He's been a supporter of several NGOs, including Survival International, the Refugee Council, and Oxfam.

© Getty Images

Brexit -

Colin Firth has become an italian citizen, as he wanted the same passport as his ex-wife and children. He has expressed his opposition to the United Kingdom leaving the European Union.

© Getty Images

Powerful performances -

In the critically acclaimed 'Supernova' (2020), a poignant drama exploring themes of aging, relationships, dementia, and mortality, Colin Firth and co-star Stanley Tucci delivered powerful performances. The film was hailed as one of the "Best British Films of the 21st Century" in a 2022 poll conducted by critics.

© NL Beeld

TV star -

In 2022, Firth garnered an Emmy nomination for his lead performance in the HBO series 'The Staircase.' Based on the true-crime documentary, the actor portrayed Michael Peterson, a writer convicted of murdering his wife. Now, Firth is set to make a return to television with a starring role in the upcoming series 'Young Sherlock.'

See also: Inspiring movies about overcoming adversity

© NL Beeld