Ben Hardy, the British actor who has captured hearts with his roles in “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “X-Men: Apocalypse,” and “EastEnders,” is not just a pretty face. Here are some interesting facts about this rising star that you might not know:
1. He is not a drummer.
While Ben Hardy convincingly portrayed the legendary drummer Roger Taylor in “Bohemian Rhapsody,” he admitted to PEOPLE that he couldn’t play the drums when he auditioned for the role. In his eagerness to land the job, he told director Bryan Singer that he could, but that wasn’t the case. He then embarked on a frantic journey to learn the drums, practicing up to 10 hours a day. His dedication paid off when he got a private drum lesson from the real Roger Taylor at Abbey Road Studios. Rami Malek, who portrayed Freddie Mercury, later pranked him in style.
2. He is not an artist.
In the 2018 BBC series “The Woman in White,” Ben Hardy played the role of Walter Hartright, a kind-hearted painter. However, Ben confessed that painting or sketching wasn’t his strong suit, so the prospect of playing an artist was daunting. He took art lessons to familiarize himself with the craft but humbly admitted that he would never be a Picasso.
3. He is a two-time winner of the Hollywood Insider’s Best Dressed Awards.
Ben Hardy’s sense of style has earned him recognition in the form of two Hollywood Insider’s Best Dressed Awards.
4. He has an Instagram page for his dog (@frankieakathefranksta).
Ben Hardy loves his dog, Frankie, so much that he created an Instagram account for her (@frankieakathefranksta). For him, it’s a way to document their memories together and reminisce in the future. He finds having a dog therapeutic.
5. He says ‘no’ to gratuitous nudity.
While filming “The Woman in White,” Ben had to choose between being shirtless or wearing Victorian pajamas for a scene. He opted for the latter, as he believed that going shirtless would have been gratuitous for the project. He wants to be known for his talents rather than just his physique.
6. He had a Queen ‘fanboy’ moment at Rockfield Farm.
Ben Hardy had the opportunity to visit Rockfield Farm, where Queen recorded some of their iconic tracks. He expressed his longing for love and connection, which resonated with Queen’s music, especially songs written by Freddie Mercury.
7. He was supposed to play Noah Centineo’s part in Netflix series, Sierra Burgess Is A Loser.
Before Noah Centineo was cast as Jamey in “Sierra Burgess Is A Loser,” Ben Hardy was originally attached to the role. However, due to scheduling conflicts, Ben had to drop out, and Noah eventually charmed the casting team with his “puppy dog eyes.”
8. He has signed his life away to Fox.
When Ben signed on for “X-Men: Apocalypse” as Archangel, he got more than he bargained for. He revealed that he must run any potential work past Fox studios, as they have the final say in his projects. Despite this, Ben has managed to land roles in both major Hollywood films and BBC series.
9. His favorite Queen songs are the ones themed around longing.
Ben’s favorite Queen songs are those with themes of longing, often written by Freddie Mercury. He finds solace and connection in songs that explore topics like love, longing, and heartbreak.
10. His biggest ambition is to get back on stage in theatre.
Ben Hardy’s first career break was on the West End stage as Arthur Wellesley in “The Judas Kiss.” He expressed his desire to return to the theater, ideally in a lead role. Despite initially feeling nervous about full-frontal nudity in his stage work, he found the experience liberating and invaluable for his acting journey.
As Ben Hardy continues to make waves in the entertainment industry, fans eagerly anticipate his future projects and his journey to Hollywood stardom. His dedication to his craft and his refusal to be typecast based on his appearance make him a unique and admirable talent in the industry.