Olly Alexander
| Olly Alexander | |
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| Born |
Oliver Alexander Thornton 15 July 1990 Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom |
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| Years active | 2008–present |
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| Associated acts | Years & Years |
Olly Alexander (born Oliver Alexander Thornton, 15 July 1990), is an English singer, songwriter and actor. He is the lead singer of the band Years & Years.
Alexander was born in Yorkshire. His mother, Vicki Thornton, was one of the founders of the Coleford Music Festival. Alexander attended St John's Primary School in Coleford and Monmouth Comprehensive School leaving to study Performing Arts at Hereford College of Arts. While at Monmouth Comprehensive School, he acted in two school plays: Guys and Dolls, as Benny, and The Caucasian Chalk Circle, as the Corporal.The New York Times reported that he wrote his first song on his father's Casio keyboard aged 10. His parents separated when he was 13 and he was brought up by his mother as a single parent.
He obtained the services of an agent when he was 16 while auditioning for a part in UK TV series Skins. In a YouTube video uploaded from NylonMagazineTV, Alexander said he dropped out of school. This can be clarified that he actually dropped out of Hereford College of Arts to pursue his acting career as parts were offered: "I started acting when I was young; it just sort of happened. I dropped out of school to work around the world, which was amazing." "I really wanted to become a singer or a musician ... All of a sudden I was an actor. It was never something I’d set my heart on being. I’m still trying to work it out ... I really hated school because I was totally bullied. But you’re never bullied in drama class because the weird kids do well in drama class. That’s a safe place". Alexander was interviewed about his mental health by Guardian columnist Owen Jones.
Alexander's acting career began in the film Summerhill released in 2008. His next film Bright Star was nominated for an Academy Award in the United States (for Best Achievement in Costume Design). He acted in the 2009 released films Tormented starring Alex Pettyfer and Enter the Void. In 2010 he played Evan in the Bush Theatre production of The Aliens. Alexander contributed to the script and music for indie film The Dish & the Spoon, released in early 2011. In 2012, he appeared in the theatre production of Mercury Fur, taking the part of Naz at The Old Red Lion, Islington.
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