Richard Armitage

Richard Armitage is a queer British actor who publicly discussed his sexuality for the first time in a 2023 interview with Attitude magazine, sharing that he had first come out to friends and family at age 19. He declined to apply a specific label to his identity, describing his experience in terms of a gradual and ongoing self-understanding: "I spent a lot of years not being honest about who I am, and it cost me a lot." Armitage is best known internationally for his physical and charismatic portrayal of Thorin Oakenshield in Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit" trilogy (2012–2014), as well as Richard Thornton in the BBC adaptation of "North & South" (2004), which became a beloved period drama. He has also starred in "Spooks" (BBC), "Strike Back," "The Stranger" (2020), and "Obsession" (2023), a Netflix drama exploring sexual obsession. His coming-out at 51 was received with warmth by his large and devoted fanbase, many of whom had long speculated about and hoped for exactly this disclosure. Armitage has spoken about his desire to live with greater authenticity and openness in the years ahead.