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Jamie St John Bamber Griffith (b 3 April 1973) is an English-American actor most famous for his roles as Major Lee "Apollo" Adama on the Sci Fi Channel television program Battlestar Galactica and as Archibald "Archie" Kennedy on Hornblower. British actor Jamie Bamber was already a favorite for television audiences on both sides of the Atlantic before he stepped into the role of Lee “Apollo” Adama on “Battlestar Galactica” (The Sci Fi Channel, 2004- ). He had distinguished himself in dramatic roles in “Hornblower” (ITV, 1998-2003) and “Band of Brothers” (HBO, 2001), but neither was adequate preparation for the overwhelming fan response generated by the re-imagined version of the campy 1978-79 television series. In fact, the program’s popularity eventually allowed him to cross over to other American network programs and features. Bamber was born in Hammersmith, London to Northern Irish mother Elizabeth (Liz) and an American father Ralph. He holds American citizenship through birth. Bamber was educated at the independent St Paul's School in Barnes, London, and received a first class honours degree in Modern Languages (Italian and French) at St John's College, Cambridge, before attending the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). One of seven children – six boys and a girl – born to his American father, Ralph Griffith, and his Irish wife, Elizabeth, Jamie St. John Bamber Griffith was born on April 3, 1973 in Hammersmith, London and raised in Paris. He got his first taste of performing by playing the Wicked Witch of the West in a production of “The Wizard of Oz” directed by his mother. With this unique debut, he soon graduated to juvenile roles in television commercials. In 2003, Bamber starred as Lee 'Apollo' Adama, a Captain in the Colonial Fleet, in Ron Moore's re-make Battlestar Galactica. This miniseries effectively served as pilot for a potential TV show. A TV series was commissioned in a collaborative effort between the Sci Fi Channel (United States) and Sky TV (the British broadcaster). Battlestar Galactica is filmed mostly in Vancouver, British Columbia and as of late 2007, is currently in its fourth season. In the role of Lee Adama, Bamber notably speaks with an American accent. He also has darkened hair, in an effort to more closely resemble Edward James Olmos, who plays his character's father. Daughter Isla Elizabeth Angela Griffith born on June 12, 2003. His father, Ralph, is an American lawyer; mother, Elizabeth (Liz), is Northern Irish. Is from a family of 7 siblings: 5 brothers (one younger and 4 older half-brothers from his father's first marriage), 1 sister. Spoken languages: English, French, Italian. Interests: Rugby, Golf, Horseback-riding, Skiing, Dancing, Rap-Music Spent his early school years in Paris and moved back to the UK at age 7. During his first degree studies of French and Italian literature he spent a year studying in Italy. After graduating he decided to go into acting professionally and studied at LAMDA. At Cambridge University, England, he achieved a 1st Class MA Honours in Modern Languages. The highest you can achieve. His favourite books include 'Dante's Divine Comedy'. Bamber was hired to play Apollo in The Sci Fi Channel’s revamp of “Battlestar Galactica.” The two-part miniseries proved to be one of the network’s highest rated original programs, thus dictating a television series be launched to appease fans. With that, Bamber adopted an impressive American accent and darkened his hair to play Apollo, son of the Galactica’s commander, Admiral William Adama (Edward James Olmos) and one third of a deeply emotional triangle that includes his father and fighter pilot Kara “Starbuck” Thrace. Because Starbuck was responsible for his brother’s death during flight training, Apollo harbors a deep-seated animosity for his fellow pilot. Their relationship improves after several adventures – most notably the retrieval of Starbuck after her ship crashes – and even blossoms into romance, but the coupling soon crashes and burns, with both parties marrying other people. The impact of the failed love affair affects his ability to command, but he later saves his father when the Galactica comes under heavy fire by the villainous Cylons. Apollo later finds himself deeply involved in the trial of traitorous Gaius Baltar, and briefly resigns from flight duty to serve as legal counsel in the case. In a subsequent battle, he is the first to discover Starbuck, who had been presumed dead in an accident, and the first to learn that she knows the colonists’ ultimate goal – how to reach Earth. With all the tangled, passionate goings-on, Bamber rose the occasion, becoming a major fan favorite on the show. For all the theatre work he's done, he would love to do Hamlet. His sister is actress Anastasia Griffith. Twin daughters, Ava and Darcy, born August 27, 2004. Bamber is his mother's maiden name. Best friends with Ioan Gruffudd of "Hornblower" and "Fantastic Four" fame. In between seasons of “Galactica,” Bamber’s increased profile allowed him to log guest shots on several popular American and British series, including “Ghost Whisperer” (CBS, 2005- ) and “Cold Case” (CBS, 2003- ). In 2007, he returned to “Galactica” to play Apollo for its highly anticipated fourth and final season; the following year, he was top-billed in an American horror film, “Pulse 2.” Bamber married actress Kerry Norton in September 2003, and they have three daughters: Isla Elizabeth Angela Griffith, and twins Darcy and Ava. Norton has made several appearances as Paramedic Layne Ishay in Battlestar Galactica. (Unlike Bamber, her character retains her native English, specifically Received Pronunciation, accent.) He has 5 brothers and a sister, Anastasia Griffith, who is an actress. |
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