Matthew Marsden

Matthew Marsden (born March 3, 1973, in West Bromwich, West Midlands, England) is an English actor. He is probably best known for playing the role of Dr. Jack Byron in Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid. He also recently starred in the movie Tamara and will be seen next in the upcoming movies Resident Evil Extinction and John Rambo.

Early life

Marsden's father walked out on him and his family when he was ten years old, and subsequently remarried. Marsden and his sister were brought up by their mother and after leaving school he took a trial as a footballer for West Bromwich Albion, but was rejected. During this time he decided to take up acting and joined the National Youth Theatre. Marsden then enrolled at university where he studied music and drama.

Whilst at university, Marsden made ends meet by working on his uncle's market stall selling shoes at Birmingham Market. He then found work as a model and became famous for featuring in an advertisement for Impulse body spray. He was very much in demand and was even asked to escort Madonna to the 1995 Brit Awards, although he rejected the invitation.

Career
 

Marsden's acting break came in 1995 when he joined the cast of the ITV soap opera, Emmerdale, playing the upper-crust Daniel Weir, lover of Linda Golver. He remained in the role for six months before leaving to play the role of surfer Philip Kennedy in Island. Matthew also dressed in drag when he appeared in the film Les Soeurs Soleil (The Sun Sisters).

On 3 March 1997 he joined the cast of the successful soap opera Coronation Street as mechanic Chris Collins and he remained with the series until 29 March 1998. Marsden quickly became one of the soap's top pin-ups and during this time he was besieged by fan mail and was also voted Best Newcomer at the National Television Awards. Following his departure from Coronation Street, Marsden decided on a change of direction and a fleeting career as a pop star followed. He signed a record deal with Columbia Records and released his debut single in July 1998 called The Hearts Lone Desire, which reached number 13 in the UK singles chart.[2] He followed with a second single, She's Gone (a cover of Daryl Hall's soul classic) with his label-mates Destiny's Child providing backing-vocals, which made the Top 30 in the UK singles chart. A third single and an album were recorded, however Marsden and his record company parted by mutual consent and they were never released.

Marsden in the 2004 film Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid.
Marsden has since returned to acting. He portrayed Paris in the USA networks mini-series Helen of Troy; Army Ranger Dale Sizemore in Ridley Scott's blockbuster film Black Hawk Down and he also starred opposite Michael Caine in John Irvin's feature Shiner for Miramax Films. He went on to star in Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid (the sequel to Anaconda), and he also starred in Tamara, a supernatural thriller by Final Destination screenwriter Jeffrey Reddick. His most recent appearance was in the 2006 film DOA: Dead or Alive and his latest project will be a role in the upcoming movie Resident Evil Extinction scheduled for release in 2007.

Personal life
 

Marsden has been romantically linked with the singer Dannii Minogue, model Nadine Gordon and insurance clerk Rachel John, whom he lived with until their 1997 split. For a while he dated Heavenli Abdi from the British girl group, Honeyz. He was the reason she quit the band in 1999, in order to spend more time with him.

Trivia

When training for the movie "Shiner", his trainer, WBC World Champion Richie Woodhall said he was a good enough boxer to go pro.
Since training with U.S special Forces for the movie Black Hawk Down he has continued training with members of the Kampfschwimmerkompanie.
Is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido.
Was taught to race superbikes by former World Champion Ron Haslam.
Is a PADI divemaster.

Music Singles

"The Hearts Lone Desire" (1998) - #13 UK
"She's Gone" - Matthew Marsden featuring Destiny's Child (1998) - #23 UK
"Walk My Way" (1999) - Unreleased
Albums

"Say Who" (1999) - Unreleased

Selected filmography

John Rambo (film) (2008) - Mercenary
Resident Evil Extinction (2007) - Captain Alexander Slater
NCIS (TV) (2007) - Lt. Roy Sanders (1 episode)
DOA: Dead or Alive (2006) - Maximillian Marsh
Emily's Reason's Why Not (TV) (2006) - Vincent (1 episode)
Tamara (2005) - Bill Natolly
CSI: Miami (TV) (2004) - Morgan Coleman (1 episode)
Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid (2004) - Dr. Jack Byron
Helen of Troy (TV miniseries) (2003) - Paris
The Legacy (TV) (2002) - Sam Maddux (pilot)
Matthew Marsden - The Hollywood Kid (2001) - TV documentary following West Bromwich-born actor Matthew Marsden's career, from CORONATION STREET to Hollywood.
Black Hawk Down (2001) - Specialist Dale Sizemore
Shiner (2000) - Eddie "Golden Boy" Simpson
North Square (2000) - (TV) - Stuart Pound (2 episodes)
Coronation Street (TV) (1997-1998) - Chris Collins
Les Soeurs Soleil (1996) - Lawrence
Island (TV) (1996) - Philip Kennedy
Flantastic (TV) (1995) - Presenter
Emmerdale (TV) (1995) - Daniel Weir
The Young Americans (1993) - Mayfair Par