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Tom Hopper – Biography, Height, Wife, and Famous Roles

Henry Oliver Davies Harrison • 2026-09-04 • Reviewed by Hanna Berg

Tom Hopper is an English actor best known for playing Sir Percival in Merlin, Billy Bones in Black Sails, and Luther Hargreeves in The Umbrella Academy. His career, documented in detail on Wikipedia, has moved from guest roles in British television to central parts in internationally distributed fantasy and adventure series.

Born in Coalville, Leicestershire, Hopper trained at Rose Bruford College in London before making his television debut in 2007. His breakthrough arrived with the BBC fantasy series Merlin, followed by roles in Black Sails, Game of Thrones, and Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy.

Questions about his height, marriage, and net worth frequently appear alongside his acting credits, as do searches that confuse him with a footballer of the same name.

Who Is Tom Hopper? Biography and Background

Thomas Edward Hopper was born on 28 January 1985 in Coalville, Leicestershire, England. He studied acting at Rose Bruford College in London, graduating in 2006. His early career included guest roles in British television series such as Casualty and Doctors, as well as stage work like As You Like It at Watford Palace Theatre.

Full Name Thomas Edward Hopper
Born 28 January 1985 (age 40 in 2025)
Known For Luther Hargreeves (The Umbrella Academy), Billy Bones (Black Sails), Sir Percival (Merlin)
Height 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
  • Tom Hopper is an English actor best known for playing physically imposing characters in fantasy and action series.
  • At 6 ft 5 in, he is one of the taller leading actors in television.
  • He appeared in Game of Thrones as Dickon Tarly, though the role was brief.
  • He is not the professional footballer of the same name.
  • His role as Luther Hargreeves in The Umbrella Academy (2019–2024) brought him global recognition.
  • He trained at Rose Bruford College in London and graduated in 2006.
Detail Information
Full Name Thomas Edward Hopper
Born 28 January 1985, Coalville, Leicestershire, England
Age 40 (born 28 Jan 1985)
Height 6’5″ (196 cm)
Spouse Laura Hopper
Children Two
Nationality British (English)
Education Rose Bruford College, London
Notable Roles Luther Hargreeves, Billy Bones, Sir Percival
Active Years 2006–present

Hopper’s IMDB profile lists his filmography in detail. TV Guide’s biography and Tribute provide additional background on his early career and training.

What Are Tom Hopper’s Most Famous Movies and TV Shows?

Tom Hopper’s screen career has been built on a mix of television series, early film work, and stage appearances. He has been repeatedly cast in fantasy and adventure projects, a pattern that began with Merlin and continued through Black Sails and The Umbrella Academy.

Luther Hargreeves in The Umbrella Academy (2019–2024)

Hopper played Luther Hargreeves, also known as Spaceboy, in the Netflix series The Umbrella Academy. The role brought him global recognition and a dedicated fan base, particularly among younger audiences. The series ran for four seasons from 2019 to 2024.

Billy Bones in Black Sails (2014–2017)

From 2014 to 2017, Hopper portrayed Billy Bones in the Starz pirate drama Black Sails. The role was a central part of the series and followed his breakthrough in Merlin.

Sir Percival in Merlin (2010–2012)

Hopper’s breakthrough role came in the BBC fantasy series Merlin, where he played Sir Percival, a Knight of the Round Table. He appeared in the series from 2010 to 2012.

Other Television, Film, and Stage Work

Before Merlin, Hopper appeared in Casualty (2007), Doctor Who (2008), and other British productions. His early film work includes Saxon and Northmen: A Viking Saga. On stage, he appeared in As You Like It at Watford Palace Theatre. In 2017, he appeared as Dickon Tarly in Game of Thrones.

TV Insider and Facts.be both document the full range of his television and film credits. Another UK actor who moved between theatre and major international franchises is covered in Fra Fee – Actor, Les Misérables and Hawkeye Star.

A recurring pattern in fantasy casting

Tom Hopper has been repeatedly cast in fantasy and adventure productions throughout his career, from Merlin and Black Sails to The Umbrella Academy. His physical stature, listed at 6 ft 5 in, has often led casting directors to place him in strong, imposing roles such as Sir Percival, Billy Bones, and Luther Hargreeves.

How Tall Is Tom Hopper?

Tom Hopper is commonly listed at 6 feet 5 inches (196 cm) tall. Capital FM is among the outlets that report this measurement.

Height in Context

At 6 ft 5 in, Hopper stands out as one of the taller leading actors in television. His stature has become part of his on-screen identity, and public sources note that it has frequently guided him toward physically commanding characters.

How height shaped his roles

Hopper’s physical stature has played a visible role in his casting. At 6 ft 5 in (196 cm), he is one of the taller leading actors in television, and he has often been cast as strong, imposing characters such as Percival in Merlin, Billy Bones in Black Sails, and Luther Hargreeves in The Umbrella Academy.

Who Is Tom Hopper Married To? Personal Life

Tom Hopper is married to Laura Hopper, formerly Laura Higgins. Public sources report that the couple married on 7 June 2014.

Wife and Marriage

Laura Hopper, previously Laura Higgins, married Tom Hopper on 7 June 2014. The couple keeps a relatively private personal life, and public details about their relationship remain limited.

Children

According to public sources, the couple has two children. One source specifically names a son, Freddie, born in 2015. The exact number and names of their children are not reported consistently across all sources.

Family details vary across sources

Public information about Tom Hopper’s family life is limited. One source reports that he and Laura have two children, while another mentions a son named Freddie, born in 2015. The exact details are not reported consistently across public sources.

What Is Tom Hopper’s Career Timeline?

The chronology below draws on biographical profiles from Tribute, TV Guide, and Wikipedia, along with industry databases.

  1. 1985 – Born in Coalville, Leicestershire, England.
  2. 2006 – Graduated from Rose Bruford College in London.
  3. 2007 – Made his television debut in Casualty; appeared in the film Saxon.
  4. 2008 – Appeared in Doctor Who.
  5. 2010–2012 – Played Sir Percival in the BBC series Merlin, his breakthrough role.
  6. 2014–2017 – Portrayed Billy Bones in the Starz pirate drama Black Sails.
  7. 2017 – Appeared as Dickon Tarly in Game of Thrones.
  8. 2019–2024 – Starred as Luther Hargreeves in Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy.
  9. 2023–2024 – Appeared in the films Place of Bones and Space Cadet.
  10. 2025 – Set to appear in The Terminal List: Dark Wolf as Raife Hastings.

What Is Known About Tom Hopper and What Remains Unclear?

Most of the key facts about Tom Hopper’s life and career are well documented. Some details, however, remain unclear or are not consistently reported across public sources.

Established information

  • Born 28 January 1985 in Coalville, Leicestershire, England.
  • Listed at 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) tall.
  • Married to Laura Hopper (formerly Laura Higgins) since 7 June 2014.
  • Played Luther Hargreeves in The Umbrella Academy (2019–2024).
  • Appeared as Dickon Tarly in Game of Thrones (2017).
  • Studied acting at Rose Bruford College in London.

Information that remains unclear

  • Tom Hopper’s exact net worth is not publicly confirmed.
  • Details about his early career, such as his first audition, are not widely reported.
  • The exact number and names of his children differ across sources.

Is Tom Hopper the Same Person as the Footballer or Game of Thrones Actor? Clearing Up the Confusion

Tom Hopper the actor is often confused with Tom Hopper the footballer because the two share the same name. The actor’s public profile is consistently tied to acting credits, while the footballer has a separate career in professional sports. The two are distinct individuals.

The Game of Thrones connection requires more nuance. Hopper appeared in the series as Dickon Tarly in 2017, but the role was brief. Some of the search confusion around “Tom Hopper Game of Thrones” may stem from his medieval fantasy role in Merlin and, for some viewers, a perceived resemblance to Game of Thrones actor Kristofer Hivju.

His repeated casting in fantasy and adventure productions has made his name familiar across multiple fan communities, which adds to the mix of online queries and name associations. Famous Birthdays documents both his acting profile and the recurring footballer mix-up.

What Do Sources Say About Tom Hopper?

Public sources ranging from industry databases to official social media accounts document Hopper’s career and public identity.

“English-born Tom Hopper has come a long way in his acting career.”

– IMDB biography

“Thomas Edward Hopper (born 28 January 1985) is an English actor known for his roles as Sir Percival in Merlin (2010–12), Billy Bones in Black Sails (2014–17), and Luther Hargreeves in The Umbrella Academy (2019–2024).”

– Wikipedia

“Tom Hopper is Raife Hastings in The Terminal List: Dark Wolf.”

– Instagram description

His Rotten Tomatoes page aggregates his film and television credits, while his official Instagram account provides direct updates on current projects and appearances.

Tom Hopper at a Glance: Final Summary

Tom Hopper’s career illustrates a steady progression from British television guest roles to leading parts in international fantasy and action productions. From Sir Percival in Merlin and Billy Bones in Black Sails to Dickon Tarly in Game of Thrones and Luther Hargreeves in The Umbrella Academy, he has remained a consistent presence in genre television while expanding into film. For more actor profiles covering biography, age, wife, and iconic roles, see Daniel Gillies – Biography, Age, Wife, and Iconic Roles.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tom Hopper

What is Tom Hopper’s net worth?

Tom Hopper’s net worth is not publicly disclosed. Estimates from various sources range from $1 million to $5 million, but these figures are not verified.

Does Tom Hopper have any siblings?

Public information about Tom Hopper’s siblings is limited. He has not discussed them extensively in interviews.

What is Tom Hopper’s height in meters?

Tom Hopper is approximately 1.96 meters tall (6 ft 5 in).

Is Tom Hopper on social media?

Yes, he maintains an official Instagram account: @tom.hopperhops.

How did Tom Hopper get into acting?

Tom Hopper studied acting at Rose Bruford College in London. He began his career with guest roles in British television series such as Casualty and Doctors before landing his breakthrough role in Merlin.

How old is Tom Hopper?

Tom Hopper was born on 28 January 1985, which makes him 40 years old in 2025.


Henry Oliver Davies Harrison

About the author

Henry Oliver Davies Harrison

Henry Oliver Davies Harrison is Editor-in-Chief and a writer at PressOrbit, covering UK news, business and public affairs. He is accountable for the newsroom's editorial standards and leads its sourcing and fact-checking process, from research through to final approval, so that each article is accurate, clearly attributed and useful to readers.