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Jai Courtney

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Jai Courtney
Courtney in 2014
Born
Jai Stephen Courtney

(1986-03-15) March 15, 1986 (age 38)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Alma materWestern Australian Academy of Performing Arts
OccupationActor
Years active2005–present
PartnerDina Shihabi

Jai Stephen Courtney[1] (/dʒaɪ/;[2] born 15 March 1986) is an Australian actor. Born and raised in Sydney, Courtney started his career as a teenager with small roles in film and television, and studied acting at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. After early supporting roles in Hollywood projects, he gained recognition for playing Dauntless leader Eric Coulter in The Divergent Series (2014–2015), Kyle Reese in Terminator Genisys (2015), and supervillain Captain Boomerang in the DC Extended Universe films Suicide Squad (2016), The Suicide Squad (2021), and The Flash (2023). He received praise for his performance as a corrupt debt collector and the main antagonist in the independent film Buffaloed (2019).

Courtney's other notable credits include the Hollywood films I, Frankenstein (2014), Unbroken (2014), and The Exception (2016), the Australian films Felony (2014), The Water Diviner (2014), Storm Boy (2019) and 100% Wolf (2020), and the television series Stateless (2020), The Terminal List (2022) and Kaleidoscope (2023). He also portrayed the title character in the Melbourne Theatre Company's production of Macbeth (2017), and hosted the Australian reality competition series The Summit (2023).

Early life

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Courtney was born on 15 March 1986 in Sydney, New South Wales, and grew up in the suburb of Cherrybrook.[3] His father, Chris, worked for a state-owned electricity company, and his mother, Karen, was a teacher at Galston Public School, where Courtney and his older sister were students. Courtney played Rugby and participated in drama club there.[4] He then attended Cherrybrook Technology High School and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, graduating in 2008.[5][6][7] While in college, Courtney took a ballet course and failed.[8]

Career

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Courtney at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con

Early work (2005–2013)

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Courtney's first role was in a 2005 short film titled Boys Grammar, which also starred Daniel Feuerriegel and Adam J. Yeend. In 2008, he played a role in the Australian series Packed to the Rafters, then a guest lead in the popular All Saints, the comedy feature To Hell & Bourke and several short films. In 2010, he played Varro in Spartacus: Blood and Sand for 10 episodes, before starring in Jack Reacher in 2012 with Tom Cruise and in A Good Day to Die Hard with Bruce Willis as John McClane's son, Jack.[9][10][11] In 2014, he appeared in the films I, Frankenstein and Felony.[12]

Divergent and beyond (2014–present)

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Courtney played Eric, one of the leaders of the faction Dauntless, in the science fiction film Divergent (2014). Later that year, he starred in Unbroken, playing Hugh "Cup" Cuppernell, and The Water Diviner, playing Lt. Col. Hughes.[13] Courtney reprised the role of Eric in Insurgent, a sequel to Divergent, which was released in March 2015.[14] That same year, he played one of the leads, Kyle Reese, in the science fiction action film Terminator Genisys. He worked on Insurgent and Terminator Genisys simultaneously.[15] Terminator Genisys garnered unfavourable reviews and performed poorly at the box office.[16] In his review, Dan Jolin of Empire described Courtney as "too buff and bland" for the role of Reese.[17]

In March 2015, Courtney signed on to play Captain Boomerang in the 2016 DC Extended Universe film Suicide Squad.[18] Critics lambasted the film, with The Washington Post's Michael O'Sullivan writing Courtney "barely registers" in his role.[19][20][21] Despite this, it had a commercially successful box office run.[22] In 2017, Courtney starred as the titular character in Melbourne Theatre Company's production of Macbeth.[23] Reviewing the play, Cameron Woodhead of The Sydney Morning Herald highlighted his "imperfect command of the verse".[24] In 2019, Courtney played Wizz, a corrupt debt collector, in the independent crime comedy drama film Buffaloed, co-starring Zoey Deutch and Judy Greer. Released to generally positive reviews from critics, Courtney's performance also garnered praise, with Sheila O'Malley of RogerEbert.com saying he plays the character "with gorgeous sinister sleaze".[25]

Courtney next played a corrupt FBI agent in the thriller film Honest Thief, which was released in October 2020.[26] Alonso Duralde of TheWrap praised his effectiveness in the villainous role.[27] Courtney reprised the role of Captain Boomerang in The Suicide Squad, a standalone sequel to Suicide Squad.[28] The film was released in August 2021 to a positive critical reception.[29] Courtney is set to star in the action thriller film Black Site as well as the thriller series The Terminal List and Kaleidoscope (under the working title Jigsaw).[30][31][32][33]

Personal life

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Courtney dated Australian actress Gemma Pranita for eight years before splitting in 2013.[34] From 2015 to 2022, he dated Adelaide-born Mecki Dent.

Courtney has a number of tattoos including a rope, a skull and a dog. His Suicide Squad co-star, Margot Robbie, has given Courtney two tattoos including an abbreviation (QLD) for Robbie's home state Queensland, after losing a State of Origin bet, as well as a tattoo that says "SKWAD" to memorialise his work in the film.[35] A former smoker, he said in 2019 he had quit years prior.[36] Courtney provided backing vocals on the Pinch Hitter song "All of a Sudden" from their debut album, When Friends Die in Accidents.[37]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2009 Stone Bros. Eric
2012 Jack Reacher Charlie
2013 A Good Day to Die Hard CIA Agent John "Jack" McClane Jr.
2014 I, Frankenstein Gideon
Divergent Eric Coulter
Felony Jim Melic Nominated – Australian Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Nominated – Film Critics Circle of Australia Award for Best Actor - Supporting Role
Unbroken Hugh "Cup" Cuppernell
The Water Diviner Lieutenant Colonel Cyril Hughes
2015 The Divergent Series: Insurgent Eric Coulter
Terminator Genisys Kyle Reese
Man Down Devin Roberts
2016 Suicide Squad George "Digger" Harkness / Captain Boomerang
The Exception Captain Stefan Brandt
2019 Storm Boy Tom "Hideaway Tom"
Alita: Battle Angel Jashugan Uncredited cameo
Semper Fi Officer Chris "Cal" Callahan
Buffaloed "Wizz"
2020 100% Wolf Flasheart Voice
Honest Thief Agent John Nivens
Birds of Prey George "Digger" Harkness / Captain Boomerang Photograph
2021 The Suicide Squad Cameo
Jolt Justin
2022 Black Site Raymond Miller
2023 Catching Dust Clyde
The Flash George "Digger" Harkness / Captain Boomerang Uncredited cameo
TBA War Machine TBA Filming

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2008 All Saints Harry Avent 2 episodes
2008–2009 Packed to the Rafters Damian 2 episodes
2010 Spartacus: Blood and Sand Varro 10 episodes
2017 Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later Garth MacArthur 4 episodes
2020 Stateless Cam Sandford 6 episodes
2022 Love, Death & Robots Spencer Episode: "In Vaulted Halls Entombed"
The Terminal List Steve Horn 3 episodes
2023 Kaleidoscope Bob Goodwin Main role
The Summit Himself Host

Theatre

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Year Title Role Venue
2017 Macbeth Macbeth Melbourne Theatre Company

References

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  1. ^ "Jai Courtney". GQ Australia. 20 November 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  2. ^ Corinne Heller (4 December 2014). "Jai Courtney, Terminator Genisys Star: 5 Things to Know About the Australian Hottie". E!. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  3. ^ Roach, Vicky (3 December 2012). "Jai Courtney's not just a face in the crowd". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 October 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  4. ^ "Jai Courtney Is Hollywood's New Action Hero". DuJour. 11 March 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  5. ^ Blumer, Clare (23 April 2012). "Die Hard Jai". The Global Mail. Archived from the original on 5 November 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  6. ^ Edwards, Matt (24 February 2012). "WAAPA graduate Jai Courtney cast opposite Bruce Willis". Aussie Theatre. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  7. ^ Naglazas, Mark (21 March 2013). "WAAPA graduate has roles to die for". The West Australian. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  8. ^ "Jai Courtney Q&A". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  9. ^ Eisenberg, Eric (29 September 2011). "Spartacus Star Jai Courtney Joins Tom Cruise in One Shot". CinemaBlend.
  10. ^ Gilchrist, Todd; McClintock, Pamela (22 February 2012). "'A Good Day to Die Hard:' Jai Courtney Cast as Bruce Willis' Son". The Hollywood Reporter.
  11. ^ White, James (22 February 2012). "Jai Courtney Will Die Hard". Empire.
  12. ^ "Jai Courtney Joins Joel Edgerton in Aussie Thriller 'Felony'". Deadline Hollywood. 15 October 2012.
  13. ^ Fleming, Mike (24 October 2013). "Jai Courtney Tapped For Angelina Jolie's 'Unbroken', Russell Crowe's 'Water Diviner'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  14. ^ Harp, Justin (11 March 2015). "See the stars of Insurgent at premiere". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  15. ^ Kroll, Justin (27 March 2014). "Jai Courtney Officially Signs on to 'Terminator'". Variety.
  16. ^ McCreesh, Louise (23 May 2018). "Emilia Clarke was "relieved" that Terminator Genisys flopped". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  17. ^ Jolin, Dan (2 November 2015). "Terminator Genisys Review". Empire. Archived from the original on 19 September 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  18. ^ Brent Lang (17 March 2015). "Jai Courtney Says 'Suicide Squad' Will Be 'Huge'". Variety. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  19. ^ Bramesco, Charles (9 August 2016). "How 'Suicide Squad' Showcases Nasty Side of Fandom in 2016". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 5 December 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  20. ^ Denham, Jess (3 August 2016). "Suicide Squad review round-up: 'Puerile' and 'worse than Fantastic Four' – the critics get their claws out". The Independent. Archived from the original on 19 September 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  21. ^ O'Sullivan, Michael (3 August 2016). "'Suicide Squad' is as bad as you've heard". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  22. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (27 March 2017). "No. 10 'Suicide Squad' Box Office Profits – 2016 Most Valuable Movie Blockbuster Tournament". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  23. ^ Clune, Richard (5 June 2017). "Jai Courtney on Recreating Macbeth: "It's Loud, Brutal And Visually Spectacular"". GQ Australia. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  24. ^ Woodhead, Cameron (9 June 2017). "Macbeth review: More like an action movie with supernatural themes". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  25. ^ Sheila O'Malley (14 February 2020). "Buffaloed movie review & film summary". Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  26. ^ Scheck, Frank (13 October 2021). "'Honest Thief' Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 13 August 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  27. ^ Duralde, Alonso (13 October 2020). "'Honest Thief' Film Review: Liam Neeson Does What You Expect, While Jai Courtney Steals the Show". TheWrap. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  28. ^ Malkin, Marc (25 June 2020). "Listen: Jai Courtney on Netflix's 'Stateless' and Filming the 'Suicide Squad' Sequel". Variety. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  29. ^ "The Suicide Squad: Positive reviews for 'riotous' film". BBC News. 29 July 2021. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  30. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (25 January 2021). "Jason Clarke, Michelle Monaghan & Jai Courtney To Star In Action-Thriller 'Black Site' From 'John Wick' Producers". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  31. ^ Otterson, Joe (26 July 2021). "Jai Courtney Joins Chris Pratt in Amazon Thriller Series 'Terminal List'". Variety. Archived from the original on 26 July 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  32. ^ Porter, Rick (16 September 2021). "Netflix Bags Giancarlo Esposito, Paz Vega, Rufus Sewell for Thriller 'Jigsaw'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 16 September 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  33. ^ Petski, Denise (22 November 2022). "Kaleidoscope: Behind-The-Scenes Look At Netflix Heist Drama Anthology Series From Eric Garcia & Ridley Scott; Premiere Date Set". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation.
  34. ^ "Is This Fortune-Free Paper Stock?". Flaunt Magazine. 4 May 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  35. ^ Staff, Inked Mag (4 August 2016). "'Suicide Squad' Star, Jai Courtney, Got a Queensland Tattoo After Losing a Bet". Tattoo Ideas, Artists and Models. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  36. ^ "Jai Courtney on 'Semper Fi' and His Humbling Hollywood Journey [Interview]". /Film. 3 November 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  37. ^ "Track by Track: Pinch Hitter : Mess+Noise". Mess+Noise. 17 November 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
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