Karl Urban Biography

Karl Urban (born June 7, 1972), an actor from Wellington, New Zealand, is best known for playing Éomer, in the second and third films of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings film trilogy based on the books by J. R. R. Tolkien.

Some of his earlier work included roles on New Zealand soap Shortland Street, which apparently interrupted his planned attendance of Victoria University of Wellington, and a guest role on the second season of police drama Shark in the Park.
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Urban was seen on the internationally syndicated American television shows Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys in which he played both Cupid and Julius Caesar from 1996 to 2001. These shows were filmed in New Zealand. He recently co-starred in The Chronicles of Riddick with Vin Diesel and Judi Dench and The Bourne Supremacy with Matt Damon.

Karl Urban also played John "Reaper" Grimm, one of the lead characters in Universal Pictures' Doom which was released on October 21, 2005.

Born June 7, 1972, Wellington, New Zealand Karl-Heinz Urban. Son of a leather goods manufacturer, Karl attended St Mark's Church School where he showed an early love for public performance. He then went on to Wellington College. Upon leaving High School Karl was offered a role in the hit New Zealand TV-series Shortland Street playing homosexual paramedic Jamie Forrest. After appearing on the show for the 1993-1994 season he attended Victoria University in Wellington for one year, then left to pursue his acting career. Over the next few years, he landed several theater roles in the Wellington area. Eventually, he moved to Auckland where he was offered many guest roles in local shows. One of his first roles was that of a heroin addict in the drama Shark In the Park. Many television roles followed yet his big Hollywood break did not come until his role in the 2002 horror film Ghost Ship. Since then, Karl has worked on many blockbusters including The Lord Of The Rings trilogy,The Bourne Supremacy and Doom.

Kiwi country music sensation Keith UrbanIt is widely believed that Karl Urban is related to fellow New Zealander and country singing sensation Keith Urban. Although they share the same name, Have similar facial features and are both from New Zealand, many say that this is just rumour. Yet neither Karl nor Keith have confirmed or denied these claims.

Many fans of the two Urbans are waiting for the reports to be confirmed. As many fans believe that they are both related due to a comment made by Keith at the Grammy's during his acceptance speech. Urban was quoted as saying "and HUNTER go to bed". Hunter is the name of Karl's son.

Following Karl's lead role in the film Doom, he has been offered leads in the Viking film Pathfinder and the Martian film Outlander. More leads are likely to follow if his next two films are box-office hits. Karl is also likely to become a household name if his next two films are successful.

Karl has also had major supporting roles in The Bourne Supremacy, The Chronicles of Riddick and The Lord of the Rings. These roles established Karl Urban as a Hollywood star

American entertainment magazine The Hollywood Reporter said Urban, was one of several actors being considered for the part of British secret service agent 007 in the next Bond movie, Casino Royale. Directed by fellow New Zealander Martin Campbell.

These rumours were never confirmed or denied by Karl. Karl's New Zealand agent, Graham Dunster, said it was news to him, but Urban had been out of reach in recent weeks while filming Viking epic Pathfinder in Canada. Yet Karl Urban was said to be a serioius contender.

The Hollywood Reporter said actors considered, then dropped included Eric Bana, Hugh Jackman, Colin Farrell and Ewan McGregor. Clive Owen had turned down the part.

Website filmforce.com had mixed feelings over whether he would make the best Bond. "While darkly handsome, he's a bit elfish-looking for Bond. He's the right age, is recognisable, but not yet a big name and had proven himself adept at genre fare. But does Urban have the gravitas and flair needed for Bond?"

KARL URBAN PICTURES

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KARL URBAN BIOGRAPHY