Sean Bean’s Legendary Roles
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Sean Bean, born Shaun Mark Bean on April 17, 1959, is an English actor renowned for his versatile performances across theatre, television, and film. With a career spanning decades, Bean has become a familiar face in Hollywood, known for his compelling portrayals of both heroic and villainous characters in popular franchises like The Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones.
Sean Bean's Early Life and Background
compleatseanbean.com
Sean Bean's Yorkshire roots run deep, shaping his identity both on and off-screen. Born in Handsworth, a suburb of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, on April 17, 1959, Bean grew up in a working-class family
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. His father, Brian Bean, owned a fabrication shop that employed 50 people, including Sean's mother Rita, who worked as a secretary1
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Despite the family's growing prosperity, they chose to remain in their council estate, valuing their close-knit community2
. Bean's upbringing instilled in him a strong work ethic and a connection to his hometown. He attended local schools and initially followed his father's footsteps, working in the family welding business before discovering his passion for acting3
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. This Yorkshire background has remained a significant part of Bean's identity, evident in his retained accent and his continued support for Sheffield United football club, even serving on its board of directors from 2002 to 20075
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Sean Bean's Breakthrough Role
cashthefilmfanblog.b...
Sean Bean's breakthrough role came with his portrayal of Richard Sharpe in the ITV series "Sharpe" (1993-1997, with additional episodes in 2006 and 2008). Based on Bernard Cornwell's novels, the series followed the adventures of a British soldier during the Napoleonic Wars. Bean's performance as the rugged, working-class hero catapulted him to stardom and established him as a household name in the UK
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- The role showcased Bean's ability to retain his distinctive Yorkshire accent, which became a defining feature of the character3.
- Bean's portrayal was so influential that Cornwell expanded Sharpe's backstory to include Yorkshire roots, aligning the character more closely with Bean's own background4.
- The series regularly drew audiences of over nine million viewers and remains a significant part of Bean's legacy, with fans and critics alike considering it one of his most iconic roles2.
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Sean's Marriages and Family
metro.co.uk
Sean Bean's personal life has been marked by multiple marriages and a deep connection to his Yorkshire roots. He has been married five times, with his current marriage to Ashley Moore beginning in 2017
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. Bean has three daughters from his previous marriages: Lorna and Molly with actress Melanie Hill, and Evie with actress Abigail Cruttenden3
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Despite his fame, Bean remains grounded in his Sheffield heritage. He is an avid supporter of Sheffield United Football Club, sporting a "100% Blade" tattoo and having served on the club's board of directors3
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. Bean is known for his quiet demeanor off-screen, describing himself as a workaholic who enjoys gardening, welding, and sketching in his spare time3
. His personal life has occasionally intersected with his professional career, as seen in his portrayal of characters with Yorkshire backgrounds, most notably Richard Sharpe in the popular television series2
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Related
How did Sean Bean meet his fifth wife, Ashley Moore
What are some interesting facts about Sean Bean's children
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