Laurence Fox is an English actor, broadcaster, musician, and political activist. He is renowned for his association with the esteemed Fox family in the entertainment industry. He embarked on his film career with a debut in "The Hole" (2001) and gained widespread recognition for his role as James Hathaway in the popular drama series "Lewis" (2006–2015). In addition to his acting pursuits, Fox ventured into music, releasing the studio album "Holding Patterns" in 2016. On the political front, he is affiliated with the Reclaim Party. Notably, in September 2023, Fox faced suspension from GB News, alongside presenter Dan Wootton, due to comments made about journalist Ava Evans.
Laurence Fox is a versatile English actor, broadcaster, musician, and political activist, known for his connection to the Fox family in entertainment. His notable roles include James Hathaway in "Lewis" and a foray into music with "Holding Patterns." He is associated with the Reclaim Party.
Laurence Fox, born Laurence Paul Fox on May 26, 1978, hails from Leeds, England. He holds British nationality and his ethnicity is Mixed as he has English, one-eighth Channel Islander [Jersey], one-sixteenth Jewish [Ashkenazi and Sephardi], and distant Scottish and Irish ancestry. He is the son of Mary Elizabeth Piper and James Fox, a notable actor. He is part of a large family with two older brothers, Tom and Robin, the latter being a film producer, and two younger siblings, Lydia and Jack, who are both actors; Lydia is married to comedian and filmmaker Richard Ayoade. Fox's upbringing was within an evangelical Christian environment.
At the age of 13, he began his education at Harrow School but was expelled shortly before his A-Level exams, which hindered his university prospects due to a negative report from Harrow. Following stints as a gardener and office worker, he chose to pursue acting and successfully auditioned for the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).
Laurence Fox made his acting debut in the horror-thriller film "The Hole" (2001) and gained recognition in Robert Altman's "Gosford Park" (2001). He subsequently took on various uniformed roles in both film and television, such as a German airman in "Island at War" (2004), an SS officer in "The Last Drop" (2005), and British soldiers in "Deathwatch" and "Ultimate Force" (both 2002), as well as "Colditz" (2005), where he played Capt. Tom Willis was in a prisoner-of-war camp during World War II. His career breakthrough came when actor Kevin Whately spotted Fox's performance in "Colditz," leading to his casting as Detective Sergeant James Hathaway in the popular ITV detective drama "Lewis" (2006), a spin-off from "Inspector Morse."
Fox also portrayed Prince Charles in "Whatever Love Means" (2005), Wisley in "Becoming Jane" (2007), and Sir Christopher Hatton in "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" (2007). His stage career included roles in plays like "Mrs. Warren's Profession" (2002) and "Treats" (2006-2007). Fox released two albums, "Holding Patterns" (2016) and "A Grief Observed" (2019), and appeared in the ITV series "Victoria" as Lord Palmerston. In November 2020, he was dropped by his talent agency after controversial remarks on "Question Time," and in 2021, he portrayed Hunter Biden in the biopic "My Son Hunter," distributed by Breitbart News. He hosts a weekly show on GB News every Friday night. However, in September 2023, GB News suspended him, along with presenter Dan Wootton, in response to comments he directed towards journalist Ava Evans.
In September 2020, Laurence Fox launched the Reclaim Party, initially dubbed a "UKIP for culture," and assumed its leadership in October 2020, succeeding Jeremy Hosking. However, registration issues and a naming conflict with a Manchester charity arose. In February 2021, Reclaim Party was approved as an identity mark for Brexit Express. Andrew Bridgen became the party's first MP in May 2023. In July 2023, Fox ran in the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election, finishing fourth with 2.3% of the vote and losing his deposit. In March 2021, he entered the London mayoral race, aiming to challenge "extreme political correctness" and change the Metropolitan Police's approach to diversity. His campaign received substantial support from Jeremy Hosking, who contributed over £1,000,000 in cash and services in early 2021. Fox placed sixth in the mayoral election, losing his £10,000 election deposit.
Laurence Fox is a highly skilled actor with an estimated net worth of $8 million as of 2023, primarily stemming from his successful career in the entertainment industry. He enjoys a lavish lifestyle, with the bulk of his income derived from his primary occupation as an actor. Fox's annual earnings amount to over $500,000, reflecting his substantial contributions to the field. His noteworthy achievements have afforded him a life of luxury, including indulging in fine cars and extravagant trips.
Laurence Fox was previously married to his ex-wife, Billie Piper, with whom he exchanged vows on December 31, 2007. Billie Piper is an actress by profession. The couple first met while performing together in the play "Treats" in 2006 and subsequently began dating. During their marriage, they welcomed two sons. They had their first child named Winston James Fox (b. October 21, 2008). He weighed 6 lbs. 11 oz. Their second child is Eugene Pip Fox (b. April 5, 2012). However, their union ended in divorce in May 2016, and since then, Fox has been living a single life. He identifies as straight in terms of his sexual orientation.
Laurence Fox is a handsome actor with a slim build, standing tall at 6 feet 3 inches (190.5 cm) and weighing approximately 82 kg (181 lbs). He possesses striking features with blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. Notably, his smooth baritone voice and towering physical appearance are distinctive characteristics. Fox maintains his physique through regular exercise, ensuring he has a healthy body and an attractive personality to complement his acting talent.
In addition to his accomplished acting career, Laurence Fox is also a talented musician. He showcased his musical prowess by releasing his EP, "Sorry for My Words," in 2013, followed by his debut album, "Holding Patterns," in 2016. Continuing his musical journey, Fox has periodically dropped new singles on his personal SoundCloud channel, generating anticipation among fans for his forthcoming album.
Despite initial career explorations in gardening and office work, Laurence Fox pursued acting, following his family's tradition. He successfully auditioned for a place at the renowned Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), where he showcased his talent in various student productions, taking on notable roles like Gregers Werle in Ibsen's "The Wild Duck," Marcus Andronicus in "Titus Andronicus," and Stephen Daedalus in an adaptation of James Joyce's "Ulysses." After graduating from RADA in 2001, Fox launched his promising acting career.
Laurence Fox shares a close friendship with actor and voice actor Matthew Goode. Matthew, born on April 3, 1978, in Exeter, Devon, achieved his breakthrough in the romantic comedy "Chasing Liberty" (2004), earning a Teen Choice Awards nomination for Choice Breakout Movie Star – Male. Their friendship reflects their shared experiences and connections within the entertainment industry.
In a notable political endeavor, Laurence Fox entered the London mayoral elections in 2021, seeking to make an impact on the city's political landscape. However, despite his efforts, Fox concluded the election in sixth place, garnering a total of 47,634 votes, which amounted to 1.9% of the overall vote share in the mayoral race. While his candidacy generated attention and discourse, it ultimately fell short in terms of electoral support, marking his performance in this significant political contest.