Celebrity Birthdays, April 21: James McAvoy and Iggy Pop

Actor James McAvoy and musician Iggy Pop are celebrating their birthdays today, April 21.

James McAvoy, 36

Scottish actor James McAvoy turns 36 today. McAvoy started his career on television and in minor film roles. He first gained attention after having a recurring role in the first two seasons of Shameless. In 2005, he played Mr. Tumnus in Disney's The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

cAvoy went on to star in the Academy Award-winning film The Last King of Scotland. He received a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. He went on to star in Becoming Jane and Penelope. His breakthrough performance came in the film Atonement alongside Keira Knightley.

McAvoy went on to star in Wanted alongside Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman, The Last Station, Gnomeo and Juliet, The Conspirator, Welcome to the Punch and Trance.

McAvoy also had a successful theater career, appearing in productions of The Tempest, West Side Story, Romeo and Juliet, Privates on Parade, Macbeth and The Ruling Class.

McAvoy played Professor X in X-Men: First Class alongside Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence and Kevin Bacon. He reprised his role for X-Men: Days of Future Past and will reprise his role for X-Men: Apocalypse. He is married to actress Anne-Marie Duff and has a son, Brendan.


image courtesy of INFphoto.com

Iggy Pop, 68

Singer-songwriter, musician and actor Iggy Pop turns 68 today. Born James Newell Osterberg, Jr., Iggy started his career in high school as a drummer for a local blues band, The Iguanas, which is where he came up with the nickname "Iggy." He later formed The Stooges alongside Ron and Scott Asheton and Dave Alexander, Pop singing lead vocals.

The band had a successful career from 1967 to 1974. After a slow start, The Stooges' third studio album, Raw Power, earned a cult following and the later deluxe edition contained a Bonus DVD and was reissued in 2010 and 2012. However the band broke up again and Iggy decided to embark on a solo career.

Iggy later signed to RCA Records and had two critically acclaimed albums, The Idiot and Lust for Life. After a dwindling career filled with drug abuse and wild behavior, Iggy reunited with The Stooges in 2003. The band had new bassist Mike Watt and Fun House saxophonist Steve Mackay join the team. In 2007, Iggy and The Stooges played the Glastonbury Festival. In March 2010 the Stooges and Iggy were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Iggy transitioned into acting, appearing in The Crow: City of Angels, The Rugrats Movie, Snow Day, Cry-Baby, Tales from the Crypt, The Adventures of Pete & Pete and Once Upon a Time in Wonderland.

In late 2014, Iggy gave the fourth annual BBC Music John Peel Lecture in Salford on the topic of "Free Music in a Capitalist Society" where he discussed his experiences in the music industry. He also currently has a radio show on BBC 6 Music.


image courtesy of INFphoto.com

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