Martin Ballantyne
Encyclopedia
Martin Ballantyne is an English
actor, born in Norwich
, England
in 1972, where he grew up and still lives. He has always had a great interest in film and television.
After leaving Norwich City College and a succession of dead end jobs, Ballantyne attended a film making course in 1997. He wrote and directed a short black-and-white film, using friends as actors.
A keen collector of film memorabilia, in 2000 Ballantyne was approached by the BBC
to take part in a documentary called 'The Price of Fame'.
At the beginning of 2005 a work colleague asked if he would be interested in appearing in a local theatre stage production. Ballantyne went on to play seven different parts in a production of Vanity Fair.
Later in 2005, Ballantyne was given a small role in the British film Cashback (2006), written and directed by Sean Ellis
, which starred, among others, Sean Biggerstaff
from the Harry Potter
films. This appearance led to further small roles in films, including playing an 'Escort' in the British film Heroes and Villains
(2006).
A significant break came with a featured Zombie Creature role, in the short horror film Gasoline Blood (2006). Written and directed by David Pope, this was followed up by playing various 'Trollesunds' in the multi million dollar movie: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass (2007) written by 'Phillip Pullman' and directed by Chris Weitz. Martin went on to work on the Matt Damon
film, The Bourne Ultimatum
(2007) which is the third film in the 'Bourne' series of films. He was then seen next in the 'Friday Night Comedy Project' early 2007.
His next role is that of a villain in The Dark Knight
. In which he plays alongside Heath Ledger as one of his Henchman.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
actor, born in Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1972, where he grew up and still lives. He has always had a great interest in film and television.
After leaving Norwich City College and a succession of dead end jobs, Ballantyne attended a film making course in 1997. He wrote and directed a short black-and-white film, using friends as actors.
A keen collector of film memorabilia, in 2000 Ballantyne was approached by the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
to take part in a documentary called 'The Price of Fame'.
At the beginning of 2005 a work colleague asked if he would be interested in appearing in a local theatre stage production. Ballantyne went on to play seven different parts in a production of Vanity Fair.
Later in 2005, Ballantyne was given a small role in the British film Cashback (2006), written and directed by Sean Ellis
Sean Ellis
Sean Ellis is British film director, writer, and producer. He is best known for his films Cashback and The Broken .- Career :...
, which starred, among others, Sean Biggerstaff
Sean Biggerstaff
Sean Biggerstaff is a Scottish actor best known for playing Oliver Wood in the Harry Potter film series.-Life and career:Biggerstaff was born in Glasgow, Scotland, growing up with his parents in Maryhill...
from the Harry Potter
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...
films. This appearance led to further small roles in films, including playing an 'Escort' in the British film Heroes and Villains
Heroes and Villains
"Heroes and Villains" is a song by the American rock band The Beach Boys, co-written by the group's leader Brian Wilson and lyricist Van Dyke Parks. Originally intended by Wilson to be the centerpiece of the ambitious but shelved album Smile, a re-recorded version of the song was released on Smiley...
(2006).
A significant break came with a featured Zombie Creature role, in the short horror film Gasoline Blood (2006). Written and directed by David Pope, this was followed up by playing various 'Trollesunds' in the multi million dollar movie: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass (2007) written by 'Phillip Pullman' and directed by Chris Weitz. Martin went on to work on the Matt Damon
Matt Damon
Matthew Paige "Matt" Damon is an American actor, screenwriter, and philanthropist whose career was launched following the success of the film Good Will Hunting , from a screenplay he co-wrote with friend Ben Affleck...
film, The Bourne Ultimatum
The Bourne Ultimatum
The Bourne Ultimatum is the third Jason Bourne novel written by Robert Ludlum and a sequel to The Bourne Supremacy . First published in 1990, it was the last Bourne novel to be written by Ludlum himself. Eric Van Lustbader wrote a sequel titled The Bourne Legacy fourteen years later.A film titled...
(2007) which is the third film in the 'Bourne' series of films. He was then seen next in the 'Friday Night Comedy Project' early 2007.
His next role is that of a villain in The Dark Knight
The Dark Knight (film)
The Dark Knight is a 2008 superhero film directed, produced and co-written by Christopher Nolan. Based on the DC Comics character Batman, the film is part of Nolan's Batman film series and a sequel to 2005's Batman Begins...
. In which he plays alongside Heath Ledger as one of his Henchman.