Admit it: Even if you're not a 50 Shades of Grey fan, you've likely seen its star, Jamie Dornan, and wondered what it was about him that makes him instantly charismatic. While some people just have "it" (whatever "it" is), Dornan has a lot more than that. He's a man of many skills and hobbies, many of which we'd never guess outside of his steamy performance on the big screen. Even more so, it's likely that you've seen this actor elsewhere - 50 Shades wasn't his first rodeo with Hollywood!
While his private life is far more low-key than the insanely successful millionaire he portrays in the movies, it's far from boring. In real life, he's pretty laid back, has a good sense of humor, and is - surprise - a family man who's happily married. So what else do we know about the heartthrob who brought one of our favorite flawed characters to life? Here's what we know about the real-life Mr. Grey.
15 His Folk Band Once Opened For KT Tunstall
One of his many talents does include music, and he was actually in a band prior to becoming Mr. Grey. His band played folk music and it must have been a pretty serious thing because they had the chance to open for none other than KT Tunstall. His band ended back in 2008, but you can still catch some of their tunes if you look hard enough.
14 No Surprise Here, He Was An Underwear Model
This comes as no surprise, obviously. Not only was Dornan a model, but he specifically modeled underwear as well. While you can do all of the (semi-creepy) photo searching on Google, these are some stills from his actual modeling portfolio. Remember how we mentioned "it" before? Well, we think we've found out what that is...
13 Kiera Knightley Was A Former Love
She was, in fact, his first taste of what it was like to be in the public spotlight 24/7. Before Dornan made the name for himself that he has now, he dealt with Knightley's paparazzi as they dated for roughly two years. The two seemed happy, but Dornan does remark on how much of a negative impact the press had on their relationship.
12 You Might Remember Him From A Steamy Role In Marie Antoinette
While he looks wildly different as a younger, clean-shaven Jamie Dornan, that was, indeed, him in Marie Antoinette. His role was no minor part, either - he was the one who ended up in a pretty spicy affair with France's leading lady. We can't say we're invulnerable to a man who can pull off mid-century attire, that's for sure.
11 Surprise! He's Already Married With Two Daughters
Many may have watched his performance in all three 50 Shades movies and wondered if someone like that could be in a serious relationship, and the answer is yes. Not only is he in one, but he has actually been married since 2013 and now, he has two daughters with his wife.
10 His Many Small Roles Led To The Ultimate Role In 50 Shades
You also may have recognized Dornan from the TV series Once Upon a Time, and even that wasn't his first, or only, role. Dornan has worked on several smaller projects before becoming a household name, and it's likely that all these roles gained him enough attention to pull off a convincing Christian Grey.
9 Believe It Or Not, He Wasn't First In Line For The Role Of Christian Grey
We know - Crazy, right? But it's true, Jamie Dornan was actually not the first to be in line for this sultry role. The first person considered was none other than Sons of Anarchy's Charlie Hunnam. In fact, he was slated to play the role before turning it down only one month later, thus Jamie Dornan was called back.
8 He's Pretty Brutally Honest On Social Media, Which Is Refreshing
While his quips are short and scattered, you can catch a glimpse of Dornan's humor if you follow him on social media. Twitter is where you're likely to find the somewhat elusive jokes of the otherwise private actor, and we have to admit - he's pretty funny when he wants to be.
7 Not Only Is He A Rugby Fan, But He Also Played It
For those familiar with Ireland and its sports, it comes as no surprise that Dornan (who is from the green lands) was once a Rugby player. While his Irish football days are long behind him, that doesn't mean he doesn't still enjoy a good game... As long as he's not the one on the receiving end of the footie.
6 Despite His Looks, He Was Never A Fan Of Modeling
You'd think that someone who looks like he does would enjoy the attention, but that's not nearly the case for everyone. Despite the fact that he caught the attention of Abercrombie and GQ, Dornan says that he still always felt like the "skinny kid he was back in high school."
5 His Wife Is A Singer-Songwriter And They Have A Permanent Home In England
Dornan and his wife are undoubtedly in love with one another and currently have two beautiful little girls to show for it. His wife is Amelia Warner, a singer-songwriter to whom he's been married for seven years now. They had an April wedding, so happy anniversary to the lovebirds!
4 He's Originally From Northern Ireland And Grew Up In Belfast
Another thing you'd never guess (if his name didn't give it away) is that the actor was born and raised in Belfast. While his name is very obviously of Irish origin, he still has close ties to Europe and currently resides in England with his wife.
3 His Immediate Family Members Are Also Wildly Successful In What They Do
Dornan has two sisters, both older than him, and each with their own successful careers. Liesa, who works in London for Disney, and Jessica, who works in England as a fashion designer. Furthermore, his father is a gynecologist and obstetrician who almost followed the path of acting, as well!
2 Back In 2006, GQ Had An Interesting Nickname For Him
While Dornan doesn't have much dirt or many rumors (if any) surrounding him, GQ did come up with a fun nickname for him way back in 2006. They dubbed him the male version of Kate Moss and, seven years later, also referred to him as one of the biggest male models of all time.
1 Sorry, Christian Grey Fans, Dornan Is A Supporter Of The Full-Beard Life
Sorry to all of your clean-shaven fans, but the beard is here to stay! Dornan has admitted that while he had to shave his face fully for the role of Christian Grey, he's just not a fan of it. In most of his photos post-Grey, the actor sports the husky beard that he's now known for.