Tom Holland is an English actor known for playing Peter Parker, or Spider-Man, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He first gained critical attention for The Impossible (2012) and later expanded into roles including Nathan Drake in Uncharted and Telemachus in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey.
Personal life
Holland has been married to actress and singer Zendaya since 2026. They met while working on Spider-Man: Homecoming, became engaged in December 2024, and Holland confirmed their marriage in June 2026.
Holland has discussed his dyslexia and ADHD. After deciding to stop drinking alcohol in 2022, he described himself as a teetotaller and later launched the low-alcohol beer brand BERO in 2024.
From Billy Elliot to The Impossible
Holland began hip-hop classes at the Nifty Feet Dance School in Wimbledon when he was nine. Choreographer Lynne Page noticed him performing at the 2006 Richmond Dance Festival and arranged an audition for Billy Elliot the Musical. After two years of ballet, tap and acrobatics training, he made his West End debut as Michael Caffrey in 2008 before taking over the title role later that year. He played Billy until 2010.
His film debut came in The Impossible (2012), in which he played Lucas, a teenager trying to help his injured mother and find other members of his family after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The performance earned him the National Board of Review Award for Breakthrough Performance and the London Film Critics Circle Award for Young British Performer of the Year. He followed it with roles in How I Live Now, Locke, In the Heart of the Sea and The Lost City of Z.
Spider-Man stardom
In 2015, Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios selected Holland to play Peter Parker and Spider-Man. He debuted in Captain America: Civil War (2016), then led Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), which focused on Peter's attempts to balance high school with his life as a superhero. Holland received the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2017 and became the youngest actor to play a title role in a Marvel Cinematic Universe film.
He reprised the role in Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) and Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026). His portrayal was noted for combining humour, awkwardness and vulnerability with Spider-Man's physicality. Holland won three consecutive Saturn Awards for his performances in Captain America: Civil War, Spider-Man: Homecoming and Spider-Man: Far From Home.
Other film, television and stage roles
Outside the Marvel films, Holland played darker roles in The Devil All the Time (2020) and Cherry (2021), and starred as Nathan Drake in the video game adaptation Uncharted (2022). He also voiced characters in Spies in Disguise and Pixar's Onward. In 2023, he starred in and executive produced the Apple TV+ limited series The Crowded Room.
Holland returned to the West End as Romeo in Jamie Lloyd's 2024 revival of Romeo and Juliet. He played Telemachus, the son of Odysseus and Penelope, in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey (2026). In 2024, he also founded the production company Billy17, which signed a deal with Sony Pictures.
Quick facts
- Holland was first cast as Michael Caffrey in Billy Elliot the Musical before taking over the title role in 2008.
- He was spotted by choreographer Lynne Page while performing at the 2006 Richmond Dance Festival.
- Holland filmed physically demanding tsunami scenes with Naomi Watts in a 35,000-gallon water tank for The Impossible.
- He won the National Board of Review Award for Breakthrough Performance for The Impossible.
- Holland auditioned for Spider-Man against about 1,500 teenagers from around the world.
- He became the youngest actor to play a title role in a Marvel Cinematic Universe film with Spider-Man: Homecoming.
- Holland won three consecutive Saturn Awards for playing Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War, Spider-Man: Homecoming and Spider-Man: Far From Home.
- He directed the three-minute short film Tweet in 2015.
- Holland shaved his head and lost 30 pounds for his role in Cherry before regaining the weight after filming.
- He played Romeo in the 2024 West End revival of Romeo and Juliet.
FAQs about Tom Holland
What was Tom Holland diagnosed with?
Holland was diagnosed with dyslexia as a child and has also stated that he has ADHD.
Who is Tom Holland's wife?
Tom Holland's wife is actress and singer Zendaya. Holland confirmed that they married in 2026.
Who does Tom Holland play in The Odyssey?
Holland plays Telemachus, the son of Odysseus and Penelope, in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey (2026).
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