Matt Hookings

Hookings was born on 30 July 1990 in Newport, South Wales, to a professional boxer, British Heavyweight Champion, David Pearce and Mary Hookings. He lost his father at the age of 11 and his mother remarried. Hookings studied Film and Drama at the University of Winchester. After completing graduation he moved to London to pursue a career in acting.[7]

Hookings started his career as a stunt performer and worked on films with Angelina Jolie and Tom Cruise.[8][9] He performed stunts in many Hollywood productions including, Maleficent, Edge of Tomorrow, Snow White and the Huntsman, Guardians of the Galaxy (film), and Avengers: Age of Ultron.[10]

Some of Hookings’ work in the industry include playing a young Michael Caine.[11][12] In the film The Grand Duke of Corsica,[13] Hookings plays mystic Catholic friar St. Francis of Assisi alongside Timothy Spall and Peter Stormare. In the film, Winter Ridge he played the role of detective Ryan Barnes for which he received the Best Actor Award at the Hollywood International Film Festival held in Miami.[14][15][16]

Hookings most notable work is the role of Jem Belcher[17][18] in the film Prizefighter: The Life of Jem Belcher,[19][20] which is a true story based on the life incidents of a boxing hero from the early 1800’s.[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28]

However, the film was a critical and commercial failure. [29][30] It is Hookings' lowest rated film and only grossed $150,499 worldwide, despite an estimated $17M budget. [31][32][33]

• Best Actor Award at the Hollywood International Film Festival.[34]