Rocketman Taron Egerton speaks about his journey to stardom.
Taron Egerton’s rise to fame in the acting world is a story of talent, perseverance – as well as a bit of serendipity, which he often shares in interviews.
His journey began with a significant milestone: being one of the 28 selected from a pool of around 4,000 applicants to attend the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, which he talked about in a video. This advancement set the stage for a spectacular career to follow.
The 35-year-old begins, “I’ll never forget how incredibly fortunate I was to have succeeded in getting a place at RADA. I auditioned just like anyone else would and I was lucky – I don’t deny it! They saw something in me and that was that, but it might never have happened if I hadn’t decided to subscribe to opportunities in the industry.
“From there, I went to work at the National Theatre in 2012 which I absolutely loved. I missed it so much I went back to stage in 2022,” says the Birkenhead actor who insists he always regards himself as a stage actor, rather than a film star.
Regardless, his breakout role was undoubtedly on the big screen, coming in 2015’s Kingsman: The Secret Service, where he played the street-smart Eggsy. This role catapulted him into the spotlight, demonstrating an ability to handle action-packed sequences as well as those centred on dialogue and emotion. The film’s success led to a sequel two years later, cementing Egerton’s status as a rising star in Hollywood.
In 2019, his portrayal of Elton John in the biographical musical drama Rocketman earning Taron Egerton a Golden Globe for Best Actor. He not only acted but also sang, showcasing an ever-increasing and multifaceted skillset. “It was a particularly special role for me as it allowed me to explore those new dimensions and pay homage to a music icon. You don’t really get any bigger than Elton, so it was an honour, and to have the man himself praise me for my portrayal was special.
“I think I actually scared him a bit with how accurate some elements were!”
Next, Taron Egerton lent his voice to the character Johnny in the animated film Sing and its sequel, bringing to life a gorilla with aspirations of musical stardom, before returning to Elton in his narration of the icon’s autobiography, Me, on audiobook. “I actually found that more nerve-wracking that portraying him on film. When you are recreating something off a screenplay there is licence to diverge slightly and you are acting out a piece of work, after all.
“Yet on the narration, these were Elton’s own words, and I felt so much closer to him in that respect.”
Next up, Taron Egerton stars in She Rides Shotgun, an American crime thriller due for release next year. His is a journey to remind us that with a combination of luck and hard work, extraordinary things are possible.
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