Asa Butterfield: Actor and Star of Hugo Cabret

Asa got started in acting as an after school activity, every Friday down at the Young Actor's Theatre in Islington, a suburb of London where he lives. He had some minor roles in BBC television shoes and a movie before being cast as Bruno in The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, a Holocaust film with an emotional and unexpected ending.

Asa was on the very first audition tape received for that movie and thought to be perfect right from the start, although the directors did look at hundreds of other boys just to make sure. His ability to project innocence was his biggest selling point. In fact, they asked what he knew about the Holocaust, which was very little and made sure it stayed that way during shooting to help him really sell that aspect.

The role earned him two award nominations. In 2008, he was nominated for Most Promising Newcomer at the British Independent Film Awards and in 2009, in conjunction with Jack Scanlon, for Leading Young Performers at the Young Artist Awards.

He just wrapped up eight months of filming for Hugo Cabret, scheduled for a Thanksgiving release in the US. Now that he's turned 14, it'll be interesting to see how his choice of roles might change.

Photo Credit: Official headshot by Jaap Buitendijk

One look at that picture and you can see why Asa was so believable in this role. As Bruno, he had to believe, despite all kinds of odd evidence - the pyjamas, the fence - that there really was just a farm and there really was just a kid who could be his friend. An innocence his parents try to maintain but that just increases Bruno's risk.

Asa's stunning in this movie. Truly stunning. Everything from his voice to his face remind you that this is just a child who has no clue what it truly happening in the world around him or the horrors people can inflict on each other. He will have to make a lot of other great movies before this stops being the one everyone talks about in reference to him.

2013
Ender's Game - Ender Wiggin (filiming)

2011
Hugo Cabret - Hugo Cabret
 
2010
Nanny McPhee Returns - Norman Green
The Wolfman - Young Ben

2008-2009
Merlin (TV series) - Mordred, three episodes
 
2008
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas - Bruno
Ashes to Ashes (TV series) - Donny, one episode
 
2007
Son of Rambow - Brethren Boy

2006
After Thomas (TV movie) - Andrew

Photo credit: Publicity still from studio

Poor boy. His birthday is April Fool's Day.

Roots for Arsenal.

Reads scripts on his Kindle.

Loves homemade curry. Hates risotto.

Has said that he is not interested in acting as a career.

Has an older brother, Morgan, and two cats called Leo and Missy

Can play both the piano and the guitar

Prefers jazz and funk over rock

Entered the XFM Rock School competition in 2004. He created a remix from the hits "Teenage Dirtbag" by Wheatus and "Making Plans For Nigel" by XTC for which he won a Fender guitar and radio airplay for the song.