Sean Bean: The Biography [Hardcover]

Laura Jackson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0749921501 | ISBN-13: 978-0749921507 | Publication Date: April 2001

Currently seen as one of Hollywood's favourite villains, Sean Bean's life is traced from its working-class roots through to his successful TV and film career. Interviews with friends and family give insights into the actor's life and explore how he balances between the large and small screen.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Piatkus Books (April 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0749921501
• ISBN-13: 978-0749921507
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #847,075 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting and Informative Biography, September 19, 2001

By 

Tiggah "the Anglophile" (Calgary, Alberta Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sean Bean: The Biography (Hardcover)

Born in Sheffield of working-class stock, Sean Bean has risen to become one of Britain's most popular and respected actors, while always remaining true to his roots. Biographer Laura Jackson does a splendid job of covering the life and career of this charismatic yet enigmatic individual.

Sean Bean is a very private individual, and apart from the first dozen pages which deal with his youth, and tidbits here and there pertaining to his personal life and relationships, the focus of the book is on his career. Commencing with his first acting job at the age of 21 in a 1980 production of "Cabaret," through his subsequent (and impressive) enrolment in London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and culminating with his role in 2001's "Fellowship of the Ring," Jackson takes us year by year through Bean's extensive and varied career. She presents a brief summary of each project Bean was involved in, as well as background information such as how the particular project came about, how or why Bean was chosen, and so on.

The project given the most attention in the book is the tremendously popular "Sharpe" series. With five series filmed over as many years, much of the latter half of the book is devoted to a behind-the-scenes look at this series. There are plenty of anecdotes from many involved in the production (including author Bernard Cornwell himself!), and it is the part of the book that I personally enjoyed the most.

Bean's character, personality and professional ability are revealed primarily through interviews with former tutors and teachers, as well as professional colleagues (such as directors, producers, and fellow actors). Being human, Bean is not without his flaws, and some of his opinions are sure to cause many a cringe. Overall, however, the portrait that is painted is of a man who, though naturally shy and reserved, is kind, thoughtful and considerate of others and whose unpretentious and down-to-earth nature belies his hard-earned status as an international celebrity.

As for the book itself, it is 231 pages and includes an index and a list of all Bean's appearances in film, television and theatre. There are 19 photos (mostly colour) on eight pages. Most of the photos are of Bean in his professional capacity; only three are of his family, and they are public shots rather than from any personal collection. There are (somewhat surprisingly) no photos of Bean growing up; the earliest photo of him is at age 21.

All in all, this was an interesting and informative book focusing on the career of a very talented and versatile actor. Recommended to fans of the "Sharpe" series or of Sean Bean's work in general.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Great title no content, March 12, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sean Bean: The Biography (Hardcover)

I have been a fan of Sean Bean for some time - from the first time I saw the Sharpe series through the Robert Lovelace/Clarissa role and the odd villainous appearances. I don't generally read biographies of actors but thought since he'd portrayed such an interesting variety of characters that there would be an interesting person behind them. However, I wouldn't know if there was or not. He seems to have led an interesting life but there really isn't a shred of the man himself in this book.

Maybe it's too much to expect - I wasn't looking for dirt but I was certainly looking for substance and found nothing. "Everyone likes him, he's a man's man, he's a great actor". The book leads you to believe that he had about as much depth as a cereal bowl and I tend to think that there's more to this actor than that. I found it very vacuous.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read but..., April 22, 2002

By 

Megan Stoner "film and book aficionado" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sean Bean: The Biography (Hardcover)

Laura Jackson does get some of the details wrong, like stating that Sean Bean divorced his first wife after moving to London to attend at RADA. In reality, they split before. However, she provides an overall well-rounded portrait of the actor, which makes for an interesting if rather quick read. There are several pages of colour photos as well, an added point of interest, and fascinating details about several of Sean Bean's projects. How many people know that several of the cast of Sharpe got very ill from the Ukraine catering?

If you're looking for a book to fill in the gaps on your knowledge of this actor, or just something to while away a lazy summer afternoon, this one will do quite nicely. And the cover alone is gorgeous - surely Sean Bean should get an award for Best Smile of the Year?