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Who is Clive Standen?
British actor Clive James Standen was born on a British Army base in Holywood, Northern Ireland on 22 July 1981, making his zodiac sign Cancer. He has 32 acting credits and is perhaps known best for portraying Rollo in 45 episodes of the hit action adventure series “Vikings”, which starred Alexander Ludwig, Gustaf Skarsgard and Katheryn Winnick, and which Michael Hirst created. Set in the world of Ragnar Lothbrok, the series follows raiding Viking warriors; it aired from 2013 through 2020, and won 46 of its 180 award nominations.
The real reason why Clive left the cast of “Vikings” hasn’t been disclosed, but he’s stated that he believes Rollo served the story, and was no longer needed in the show.
Clive’s currently shooting for the upcoming movies “Cold Deck”, “Boudica: Queen of War”, and “Possessions”, as well as for the series “Obliterated” and “The Morning Show”.
Education and early life
Clive was raised in Leicestershire, England, alongside his brother Tom Standen, by their mother Judy who was a housewife and father Steve who was in the British Army; not many other details have been disclosed about Clive’s family, because he respects their privacy.
He fell in love with acting while attending King Edward VII School in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire and appeared in nearly all the plays performed there during those four years; Clive was also passionate about sport,s and excelled at soccer.
He matriculated in 1999 and continued his education at Melton Mowbray College, then transferred to London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, from which he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 2003.
Clive grew up practicing Muay Thai and fencing; he became an international Muay Thai boxer, and won several fencing gold medals.
Roles in movies
Clive’s debut film role was playing Canadian Commanding Officer in the 2004 war documentary movie “Ten Days to D-Day”, and some of his following roles were in the 2005 drama “Tom Brown’s Schooldays”, the 2006 short drama “Away” and the 2006 romantic comedy “Heroes and Villains”.
The year 2007 saw him play Charles ‘Charlie’ Brown in the 2007 romantic comedy “Namastey London”, which starred Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif, and was directed by Vipul Amrutlal Shah. It follows a man who’s taken his British daughter to India and has arranged for her to be married to a man whom she considers a fool; the movie won one of its four award nominations.
In 2013, Clive portrayed Hagen in the popular action horror “Hammer of the Gods”, which starred Charlie Bewley and Alexandra Dowling, and was directed by Farren Blackburn. It follows a man who’s become a brutal warrior and is searching for his lost brother Hakan the Ferocious; the film was nominated for two awards. Clive was then cast to appear in the 2015 biographical action adventure “Everest”, the 2018 action horror “Patient Zero” and the 2018 action “In Like Flynn”.
His most recent film role has been starring as William Duncan in the 2022 action thriller “Vendetta”, which also starred Theo Rossi and Bruce Willis, and was written and directed by Jared Cohn. It follows William Duncan whose daughter’s been brutally murdered, and who’s now taken justice into his own hands.
Roles in TV series
Clive’s debut TV series role was playing Martin Raynor in two episodes of the 2004 crime mystery “Waking the Dead”, and the year 2005 saw him play Charlie Halliday in three episodes of the drama “Doctors”.
In 2006, he played Major Alan Marshall in the episode “SAS: Mission Impossible” of the biographical documentary “Zero Hour”, and he was then cast to play UNIT Soldier in three episodes of the 2008 adventure science fiction “Doctor Who”, and Archer in three episodes of the 2009 action adventure comedy “Robin Hood”.
In 2011, Clive portrayed Gawain in all 10 episodes of the fantasy “Camelot”, which starred Joseph Fiennes and Jamie Campbell Bower, and was created by Chris Chibnall. It follows wizard Merlin who’s presented Arthur as the new king of Britain, and the series was nominated for 13 awards. The year 2014 saw Clive play Telemon in two episodes of the adventure fantasy “Atlantis”, and in 2017 and 2018, he starred as Bryan Mills in all 26 episodes of the popular action thriller “Taken”, which also starred Jennifer Beals and Adam Goldberg, and was created by Luc Besson; it follows former CIA agent Bryan Mills who’s exacting revenge following a personal tragedy.
Clive’s only two other TV series roles have been portraying Gabriel Taylor in all six episodes of the 2020 thriller “Mirage”, and Anthony Lavelle in all 10 episodes of the 2020 drama “Council of Dads”, both lead roles.
Catching my breath on a busy night of stunt work #mirage pic.twitter.com/a1x2UwzN0A
— Clive Standen (@CliveStanden) April 20, 2019
Other credits
Clive voiced Rookie and Marines in the 2010 video game “Aliens vs. Predator”, various characters in the 2013 video game “Ryse: Son of Rome”, and Helis in the 2017 video game “Horizon Zero Dawn”.
Some of his recent talk-show appearances have been in “Talk Stoop”, “Entertainment Tonight Canada” and “Riffin with Griffin”.
Awards and nominations
Clive was nominated for a 2023 Ambie Award for Best Performer in Audio Fiction, for “Dark Sanctum”.
Love life and wife
Clive avoids speaking about his love life in public, but we still know that he’s married twice.
His first wife was British non-celebrity Francesca de Takats; the details about how they met remain undisclosed, but it’s believed that a mutual friend introduced them at a party in 2004. Clive and Francesca exchanged vows in a small ceremony on 23 May 2007, and they have three children together: Hayden, Edi and Rafferty.
Clive and Francesca’s divorce was finalized in March 2023, and only a month later Clive married his second wife, British non-celebrity Lucy Martin; not many details have been shared about Lucy, as she prefers to stay away from media.
Clive’s married to his second wife Lucy Martin as of August 2023, and has three children with his first wife Francesca de Takats.
Interesting facts and hobbies
Clive’s a huge lover of animals, and is today a spokesperson for the non-profit marine conservation organization Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
He’s a huge fan of the series “Doctor Who” and was thrilled when he learned that he was cast to appear in it; he’s also revealed that he’s happy about the fact that his children also like “Doctor Who”, and that they can watch it together.
Clive’s described the cast of “The Vikings” as ‘a real team, a true ensemble’.
He stays in shape by going exploring, hiking and climbing, while he also occasionally works out at the gym.
Clive’s revealed that his plan is to continue acting until the age of 90.
More than 1.3 million people are following him on Instagram today, and he’s posted nearly 2,000 pictures; many of these feature him shooting for his TV series and movies.
One of Clive’s favorite actors is Michael Caine, and some of his favorite movies include “Going in Style”, “Interstellar” and “Batman Begins”.
Height, eyes and wealth
Clive’s age is 42. He has brown eyes and hair, is 6ft (1.87m) tall and weighs around 190lbs (85kgs).
Clive’s net worth’s been estimated at over $3 million, as of August 2023.