Jon Campling, also known as King Regis from the renowned Final Fantasy franchise, was born in Hull, Yorkshire, and initially pursued a career in aerospace engineering and part-time DJing. However, his passion for acting began at the tender age of 12, when his mother arranged for him to join a local amateur group, which ultimately led him to the Hull Truck Youth Theatre at 16.
During his time at the theatre, Jon performed in numerous groundbreaking productions, an experience that significantly shaped his decision to pursue acting professionally. In 1989, at the age of 23, Jon left Hull after being awarded a full grant and a three-year place at the prestigious Birmingham School of Speech Training and Dramatic Art.
As a professional actor since 1992, Jon has taken on a wide range of roles, including presenting, face painting, living statue work, and treasure hunt design. He also spent a year working at the QE Hospital as an Operating Department Officer (ODO). Interestingly, Jon underwent a major thyroid operation in the same hospital theatre in 1993, from which he made a full recovery.
After his recovery, Jon moved to London, settling in Streatham, where he spent the next few years gaining as much theatre experience as possible through the diverse and challenging London fringe. He also toured the south-west as D'Artagnan in The Three Musketeers and Alex in A Clockwork Orange, receiving exceptional reviews and acclaim.
Jon's attention turned to film in 2010, when he landed a lead role in the dark, indie feature Dead End and a cameo appearance in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. His reputation as an easygoing, fun-loving, down-to-earth actor with a passion for his craft, an eye for detail, and a commitment to the long game has helped fuel a solid career that is steadily rising.
Jon's unique and versatile look has contributed to his success, with appearances in television shows such as Jonathan Creek and Doctors, commercials for Budweiser, Ted Baker, Specsavers, and Ford, music videos for Trent Reznor, Elbow, Amber Run, and The Feeling, and his recent pivotal lead role as King Regis in the latest epic Final Fantasy XV film installment, Kingsglaive.
