Jack O'Connell was born in Alvaston, Derby, England, to Alison J. (Gutteridge) and John Patrick O'Connell. His mother, Alison, is of English descent and worked at British Midland, while his father, John, hails from County Kerry in Ireland and worked on the railways for Bombardier.
Jack's educational background includes attending Saint Benedict Catholic School. He began his acting career at a young age, making his television debut in a 2005 episode of the popular medical drama series Doctors, playing the role of Connor Yates.
He went on to secure subsequent television roles, including four episodes of the long-running police procedural series The Bill, six episodes of the British drama series The Runaway, and an impressive eighteen episodes of the popular teen drama Skins.
Jack made his film debut in 2006 with a role in Shane Meadows' critically acclaimed coming-of-age drama This Is England, playing the character of Pukey Nicholls. He later co-starred in the tense thriller Eden Lake, the gritty drama Harry Brown, the historical drama Private Peaceful, and the experimental film The Somnambulists.
His breakthrough performance came with his lead role as a jailed teenager in the critically acclaimed drama Starred Up, followed by his portrayal of a British soldier in the historical drama '71. He received widespread critical acclaim for his performances in both films.
Jack made his Hollywood debut in the action-war film 300: Rise of an Empire, playing the role of Greek soldier Calisto. He then starred alongside Jack O'Connell in the Angelina Jolie-directed war drama Unbroken, portraying Olympic distance runner and World War II POW Louis Zamperini.
His upcoming film projects include a role in Terry Gilliam's long-awaited adaptation of The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, as well as the thriller Money Monster, alongside George Clooney and Julia Roberts.
