Tom Sturridge was born in London, England, to a family of esteemed actors. His mother, Phoebe Nicholls, is a renowned actress, and his father, Charles Sturridge, is a director who has worked extensively in the industry. Tom's paternal grandparents, Anthony Nicholls and Faith Kent, were also actors, and his maternal great-grandfather, Horace Nicholls, was a prominent photographer.
Tom began his acting career at a young age, appearing in a re-telling of Gulliver's Travels under the guidance of his father's direction when he was just 11 years old. After returning to schooling, Tom attended the prestigious Winchester College, but he dropped out before completing his A-Levels.
Tom returned to acting in 2004, landing roles in Vanity Fair and the critically acclaimed Being Julia. In 2005, he took on a demanding role in a TV production about William Shakespeare, playing William Herbert, the fair youth, who was the gay lover of the famous playwright. This performance marked a significant milestone in Tom's career, as it showcased his ability to handle complex and emotionally charged roles.
That same year, Tom appeared in the bizarre mock documentary Brothers Of The Head, playing a brief but memorable role. In 2006, he took on a part in the psychological thriller Like Minds, which received mixed reviews but earned Tom widespread critical acclaim for his chilling performance.
Tom was initially set to appear in the big-budget Hollywood production Jumper, but he was ultimately replaced by Hayden Christensen. However, he bounced back in 2009 with a role in the all-star comedy The Boat That Rocked, directed by Richard Curtis. Although the movie did not perform well at the box office, it further established Tom as a rising star.
Tom's impressive stage presence was showcased in the play Punk Rock, for which he won the 2009 Critics' Circle Theatre Award. He has also been cast in several upcoming movies, including Waiting For Forever, Junkhearts, and On The Road, which promise to continue his ascent as one of the UK's most promising young actors.
Tom comes from a family of actors, with his younger brother and sister, Matilda and Arthur Sturridge, also pursuing careers in the entertainment industry.