John Noble, a versatile actor with a career spanning over 40 years, has defied the odds in the entertainment industry. Best known for his roles as Walter Bishop in the TV series Fringe and Denethor in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, John continues to act in his early 70s. With more than 60 acting credits to his name, he has portrayed a wide range of characters, including a recent appearance in the popular TV series, The Boys. Here are 10 things you might not know about John Noble.
1. He’s Lent His Voice to Video Games
John Noble’s on-screen roles have garnered the most attention, but he has also done voice work for video games. He has appeared in several games, including Infinity Blade III in 2013 and most notably, as Scarecrow in the 2015 game, Batman: Arkham Knight.
2. Theater Work Holds a Special Place in His Heart
John has participated in numerous stage productions over the years and enjoys the opportunity to switch things up and step away from the screen. He spent many of his early acting years exclusively doing stage productions and, like many theater actors, believes that performing in plays can help actors sharpen their skills.
3. Law School Was His Initial Plan
Acting wasn’t always John’s envisioned career path. He didn’t get into acting as a hobby until his teenage years. Initially, he planned to attend law school but realized he wasn’t passionate about it.
4. He Entered the TV World at 40
The entertainment industry often focuses on youth and beauty, with most actors peaking in their 20s. John Noble’s journey, however, was quite different. He didn’t break into the TV world until he was in his 40s.
5. His Daughter Followed in His Footsteps
John’s daughter, Samantha, also pursued acting and began her career in the late 1990s. In 2012, she even worked with her dad when she appeared in an episode of Fringe. John has two other children, but they don’t seem to be interested in acting.
6. He’s Vocal About His Political Views
As the 2020 presidential election approached, the political climate became increasingly tense. Many people were hesitant to share their true views, but John Noble wasn’t one of them. On his Twitter account, he openly expressed his disdain for President Trump and his support for Joe Biden’s presidential campaign.
7. Directing Wasn’t Part of His Plan
John has also done some behind-the-scenes work in the theater world, although it wasn’t something he planned on pursuing. He told Geek Chic Elite, “I never meant to be a director, I don’t know how I got into it, but I spent a long time doing it and really, it wasn’t my first love. My timing was kind of unusual…”
8. Quesadillas Are His Go-To Food
Do you have a favorite food that you always order when dining out? For John Noble, that item is quesadillas. In an interview with Screen Rant, he said, “I’m a quesadilla man…I just love cheese. So that’s what I get when I go out somewhere. I order quesadillas. My wife will say, ‘Don’t get quesadillas.’ It’s primitive, isn’t it? I’ll have a quesadilla and a coffee please. And I go to some places now, where I live, and they don’t even ask me anymore. They just bring it out [laughs].”
9. He Founded a Charity Organization
John was diagnosed with osteoporosis in 2012, a condition that causes bones to become weak and brittle, primarily affecting people over the age of 50. Since his diagnosis, John has become passionate about bone health and founded a charitable organization called Noble Bones.
10. Science Is One of His Passions
For John, playing Walter Bishop in Fringe was more than just a role. In real life, John is passionate about science, particularly physics and scientific theory. He loves contemplating the possibilities of the future and is always reading new scientific material.
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