Maesycwmmer teen lands role in Ben Stiller film
- ️Wed Jan 12 2011
TEENAGE actor Craig Roberts has landed his first major film role - and the movie's executive producer is Hollywood star Ben Stiller.
Mr Roberts, 19, of Maesycwmmer, is starring in feature film Submarine, which is due be released in March following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last year.
The film, which is due to be screened at the Sundance Film Festival this month, is directed by actor Richard Ayoade who is best known for his role as Moss in Channel 4’s The IT Crowd.
It is produced by Warp Films in association with Red Hour Films - the production company headed by Ben Stiller.
In the coming of age comedy, Mr Roberts plays Oliver Tate, a Swansea teenager struggling to save his parents’ marriage while also trying to lose his virginity before the age of 16.
But while Mr Roberts, who lives at home with his mum Alison, dad Haydn and 15-year-old sister Chelsea, is enjoying his starring role, he says it was only recently he realised acting was for him.
He said: “I originally wanted to be a footballer but wasn’t good enough for that. It was only about three years ago I decided that acting was what I wanted to do.”
After joining workshop, Atsli Castings in Cardiff, Mr Roberts then signed up to agency Curtis Brown before joining his current agency WME which is based in America.
His previous television roles have included parts in children’s programmes The Story of Tracy Beaker and Young Dracula as well as roles in Casualty.
But he is now hoping more film work will follow and maybe even a move to America.