User:Philoyonder/Matt Smith (british actor)

Matt Smith (born 28 October, 1982) is an English actor. He has performed in theatre, TV, and film. Best known perhaps for his appearences in the BBC adaptations of Phillip Pullman's The Ruby In The Smoke and The Shadow in the North alongside Billie Piper, as well as his stage performances in On the Shore of the Wide World and Cast B of Alan Bennet's History Boys.

Biography
Smith grew up in Northampton, Northamptonshire and attended Northampton School for boys. He originally wanted to be a footballer but had to give up football after a back injury. . After encouragement from his drama teacher he joined the National Youth Theatre.

He studied at University of East Anglia, reading Drama and Creative Writing.

Career
Smith didn't go to Drama school but was a former member of the National Youth Theatre. His performance in The Master and Margarita secured him an agent leading on to his first professional performance in Fresh Kills opposite Christian Slater. Further roles came as he appeared in On the Shore of the Wide World before then moving on with co-stars Thomas Morrison and Steven Webb to Alan Bennet's History Boys.

After History Boys he moved into television appearing in the BBC adaptations of The Ruby In The Smoke and The Shadow in the North alongside Billie Piper, then as Danny Foster in the BBC TV series Party Animals.

Awards/Recognition
2008 Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement or Performance in an Affiliate Theatre Nominee : Cast member of That Face

2006 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play: Cast member of On The Shore of The Wide World,