Who is Freddie Highmore: Teen Actor

Alfred Thomas Highmore was born in England on February 14th, 1992...

Freddie's first big film, 'Two Brothers', tells the story of two tiger cubs that are separated and taken into captivity... Freddie plays the part of 'Young Raoul' in the film...

Freddie soon followed up with an outstanding performance in the film 'Finding Neverland' where he plays the part of Peter Llewelyn Davies, the boy who inspired the book 'Peter Pan' by J.M Barrie. Freddie received much praise for his performance in this film... The biggest complement was getting the part of Charlie Bucket in the new film 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' after Johnny Depp personally recommended him for the role...

In 2006, Freddie was seen in two more films; 'A Good Year' in which he played the younger version of Russel Crowe's character... and 'Arthur and the Invisibles' based on the books by Luc Besson...

2007/08 will see the release of two more highly anticipated films in which Freddie plays lead roles. The first is 'August Rush' in which he plays the title role of August, about an orphan who finds his parents through music. Perhaps Freddie's most challening role to date however, will be in 'The Spiderwick Chronicles', based on the books by Tony Di Terlizzi and Holly Black, where he actually plays the part of twins, Simon and Jared Grace.

When Freddie isn't busy filming, he enjoys playing soccer with his friends in the park and he supports the football team, Arsenal. He is also learning to play the guitar.

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On Getting into Character
"You just sort of think about what the character's thinking and then you're in the character."

On being a normal kid
"I try and stay a normal kid as much as possible. At the weekend I play soccer with my friends"

About his dressing room demands!
"Because I'm a spoiled little brat, i absolutely always insist on a table and chair and lighting. This February I'm even going to demand heating."

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On 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' in 2005, Freddie revealed his hidden talent... he can play 'When the Saints Go Marching In' on two recorders shoved up his nose!

When he and Johnny were filming the last scene in 'Finding Neverland', Freddie said it was quite hard to concentrate on crying as there were loads of Johnny fans screaming out "We love you Johnny!"

When Freddie received the phone call telling him he'd got the part of 'Charlie Bucket', he was at the Grand Canyon watching the sun set with his family.

'Finding Neverland' director, Marc Forster, decided to film one of Freddie's toughest scenes (the playhouse smashing scene) on the second day of filming so the other cast members could see him act and change their attitude to working with him.

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On his favourite scene
"Smashing up the playhouse, that was really great. Sometimes they'd say, 'Oh, sorry, there was a problem with the sound or the lights.' And I'd say, 'Yes! I get to smash it up again!"

On the last scene
"It was quite tricky for the last scene because there were all these Johnny Depp fans screaming 'We love you Johnny!' all the time so that was quite tricky!"

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On the similarities between Charlie and himself
"When I left the set of Finding Neverland, I was quite upset, because I thought I wouldn't see Johnny again, and Charlie wants to go back to the chocolate factory. We both got our wishes."

On Charlie
"I think people can see themselves in Charlie because Charlie isn't very special. You know, he can't run faster than anyone else, he can't wave a magic wand. He's just normal."

Comparing Charlie and Willy Wonka
"He has a great family that surrounds him with love. That's what separates him from Willy. Willy has everything, but the one thing he really wants is the love of his family."

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Kate Winslet
"He has the most terrifying instincts, they're just bang-on. And he has no idea that he has that."

Marc Forster
"At the time he was actually only ten. I think Freddie Highmore is just a very gifted child. When he came to audition for me, I was just sitting there and was blown away. He embodies something very truthful. There is nothing fake about him. He projects that onto everybody that is working with him."

Johnny Depp
"He's capable of anything. He's really, really talented."

John August
"He's the kind of kid who could ask for a glass of water and break your heart!"

Annasophia Robb
"I did a scene with Freddie and I took a candy away from him. When I had to give him this really mean line I felt bad afterwards!"

David Kelly
"He's a very seasoned actor. It's not like working with a child because he has four or five films behind him. It's like working with a veteran."

Terrence Howard
"He's the perfect choice for this thing (August Rush).

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