Liam Hemsworth, 21, just landed the buzzy role of Gale in the big-screen adaptation of Suzanne Collins‘ sci-fi story The Hunger Games, and here are four things you need to know about him:
1. He got his start in soaps.
After landing spots on Aussie shows like Home and Away and McLeod’s Daughters, he scored his first big role as Josh Taylor, an athletic paraplegic, on the Australian soap opera Neighbours, from 2007 to 2008. He made his U.S debut in the 2009 Nicolas Cage starrer Knowing.
2. Both his brothers act.
He is the younger brother of actors Chris and Luke Hemsworth. Chris even beat out Liam for the role of Thor. Incidentally, Chris was just named CinemaCon’s Male Star of Tomorrow.
3. He’s dated Miley Cyrus.
The two met on the set of 2010’s
The Last Song. He even viewed her clan as his second family. “Their whole family’s great,” he once told
People. “They’ve always been super friendly to me and very welcoming.” Liam stars in the music video for Miley’s tune “When I Look at You”.
4. He’s over 6′ 4″
According to his imdb.com profile, he is 6′ 4¾” and possesses stunning abs of steel. His physique takes a lot of work: He has said he trains six days a week with surfing, lifting weights and boxing.
5. He’s got more action movies on the way.
In addition to Hunger Games, THR reported Liam is to star in Arabian Nights, Inferno Entertainment’s 3D adventure directed by Chuck Russell. The period epic centers on a young commander (Hemsworth) who, after his king is murdered in a coup, joins forces with Sinbad and Aladdin to rescue Queen Scheherazade.
