| Human Profile | |
| Name: | Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill |
| Birthday: | May 5, 1983 (age 42 years), Born in Saint Helier, Jersey |
| Height: | 6'1" (185 cm) |
| Education: | St Michael's Preparatory School Stowe School (No Diploma) |
Overview
Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill is a British actor best known for his portrayal of Superman in the DC Extended Universe, Geralt of Rivia in the fantasy series The Witcher, and Sherlock Holmes in the Enola Holmes films.
Latest News (Mar 26, 2026): Henry Cavill was recently spotted filming scenes for the upcoming Highlander reboot in central London, showcasing a rugged look in a leather ensemble. The production is currently underway following earlier delays, and the actor continues to balance this role with other high-profile projects in his pipeline.
Early Life and Education
Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill was born on May 5, 1983, in Saint Helier, Jersey, a British Crown Dependency in the Channel Islands. He is the fourth of five sons born to Marianne Dalgliesh and Colin Cavill. His mother, who is of Scottish, English, and Irish heritage, worked as a secretary in a bank, and his father was a stockbroker.
Cavill was first educated at St Michael’s Preparatory School in Saint Saviour, Jersey. At the age of 13, he began attending Stowe School, a boarding school in Buckinghamshire, England. During his time at Stowe School, he developed an interest in acting and participated in several school productions, including “Grease” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. He also played sports, including rugby. It was during this time, at the age of 16, that he met actor Russell Crowe, who was filming on location. Cavill sought advice about an acting career and later received a package from Crowe.
Career Beginnings
Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill began his professional acting career in 2001 with a role in the film Laguna. The following year, he appeared in Kevin Reynolds’ adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo. He also had roles in several British television shows, including The Inspector Lynley Mysteries and Midsomer Murders. He continued to build his resume with supporting roles in films such as I Capture the Castle (2003), Hellraiser: Hellworld (2005), Tristan & Isolde (2006), and Stardust (2007). During this period, he auditioned for other significant roles, including James Bond in Casino Royale, but the part was ultimately given to Daniel Craig.
Rise to Prominence
A significant turning point in Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill’s career came in 2007 when he was cast in the Showtime historical drama series The Tudors. He portrayed Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk, a close friend of King Henry VIII. The series was well-received and brought him increased recognition. He remained on the show for its four-season run, concluding in 2010. This role helped to establish him as a familiar face to a wider audience and was a crucial step in his career trajectory. Following his work on The Tudors, he took on the lead role of Theseus in the mythological action film Immortals (2011) and starred in the thriller The Cold Light of Day (2012).
Major Roles and Projects
In 2013, Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill achieved international stardom when he was cast as Superman in the DC Extended Universe film Man of Steel. He reprised this iconic role in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and Justice League (2017). He also made a cameo appearance in Black Adam (2022).
Aside from his work as Superman, he has taken on a variety of other major roles. He starred as Napoleon Solo in the spy film The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015) and played an antagonist in the action film Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018). He also portrayed the famous detective Sherlock Holmes in the Netflix films Enola Holmes (2020) and its 2022 sequel.
From 2019 to 2023, he starred as Geralt of Rivia in the Netflix fantasy series The Witcher, which is based on the book series of the same name. His other recent film credits include Argylle (2024) and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024).
Personal Life and Philanthropy
Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill is known to reside in South Kensington, London. He was previously engaged to show jumper Ellen Whitaker. In 2021, he announced his relationship with television executive Natalie Viscuso, and in 2024, it was announced they were expecting their first child.
He is an avid gamer and has expressed his enjoyment of the Total War and Warhammer 40,000 series of games. He also practices Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Throughout his career, he has been involved in various philanthropic efforts. He is an ambassador for The Royal Marines Charity, an organization that supports serving and former Royal Marines and their families. He is also an ambassador for the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, which is dedicated to saving species from extinction. He has participated in numerous fundraising events and campaigns for these and other causes.