James and Oliver Phelps

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James and Oliver Phelps bigraphy, stories - Actors

James and Oliver Phelps : biography

25 February 1986 –

James Andrew Eric Phelps and Oliver Martyn John Phelps (born 25 February 1986) are identical twin English actors, best known for playing Fred and George Weasley, respectively, in the Harry Potter film series.

Filmography

Film and television
Year Title James’ role Oliver’s role Notes
2001 Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Fred Weasley George Weasley
2002 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Fred Weasley George Weasley
2004 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Fred Weasley George Weasley
2005 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Fred Weasley George Weasley
2007 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Fred Weasley George Weasley
2007 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Fred Weasley (voice) George Weasley (voice) Video game
2009 Kingdom Callum Anderson Finlay Anderson Episode: "3.5"
2009 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Fred Weasley George Weasley
2010 Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Fred Weasley George Weasley Short film
2010 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 Fred Weasley George Weasley
2010 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 Fred Weasley (voice) George Weasley (voice) Video game
2011 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 Fred Weasley George Weasley
2012 Ward 3 Jimmy
2012 The|Turn|nolink=1}} Morris Talliver Short film

Charity work

Both twins have contributed to planting trees at the National Forest in Leicestershire. It is also known they both like music and sports, making several public appearances in support of both. Every year they attend the V Festival, held by Virgin Media each August, as well as attending the Download Festival, a rock music festival managed and arranged by Live Nations in Donington Park, England. In May 2006, they both took part in the football tournament known as the Celebrity World Cup Soccer Six. They participated alongside other celebrity sports fans.. Books and Wands (1986-02-25). Retrieved on 2012-05-02.

James and Oliver are both a Part of Virgin Money Giving drive. Oliver focused on raising money for the RNLI lifeguards and James became involved with the "3 Peak Challenge," an event that challenges a climber to climb the three highest peaks in the UK in a 24 hour span.. Three Peaks Challenge (2012-04-11). Retrieved on 2012-05-02.. Uk.virginmoneygiving.com (4 June 2011). Retrieved 2 May 2012.. Uk.virginmoneygiving.com (6 June 2011). Retrieved 2 May 2012.

On 22 November 2011, both James and Oliver took part in a skydive for Cancer Research UK, in Australia, in memory of Harry Moseley – an 11-year-old boy who died on 8 October 2011, after a four-year battle with brain cancer. As of 15 December 2011, the amount pledged for their jump stands at £2,525.

Career

They are known by friends, family and film crew to be pranksters, from something as innocent like changing their names around. Even though they did admit to changing their characters around, it was not done while filming, it was done once while in rehearsal. They claimed the rumour about changing during filming was made up in an interview by moviesireland.

James and Oliver’s best friends in the Harry Potter cast are Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe and Matthew Lewis. Outside of acting, James has worked as a runner on the Potter sets, and other film productions, such as The Da Vinci Code.

Early life

James and Oliver were born in the Sutton Coldfield area of Birmingham, England on 25 February 1986. They are the only sons of Susan (née Spare) and Martyn Phelps. James is the younger of the two, by 13 minutes. Growing up, they attended Little Sutton Primary School and the Arthur Terry Secondary School. In 2000, when they were 14 years old, the twins were cast as Fred and George Weasley in the film Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

They played twin brothers of Lyle Anderson, young associate of solicitor Peter Kingdom in the 5th episode of the 3rd season of TV series Kingdom (2009).

As of 2012, the twins are reported to be living in Santa Monica, California in the hopes of making it in Hollywood.

Personal interests

Both twins enjoy golf. Oliver’s handicap is 20 and James’s is 18. Both like listening to rock music, playing the Xbox 360, PlayStation and acting. The twin brothers support rival football clubs in Birmingham. Oliver supports Aston Villa, while James supports Birmingham City (Oliver supported Aston Villa alongside his late grandfather and James supported Birmingham City with his father). In May 2006, they both took part in a celebrity football tournament called Celebrity World Cup Soccer Six. They both also support Gloucester RFC. In January 2003, the twins planted trees at the National Forest, in Leicestershire. The wood that helped make the Harry Potter broomsticks was replanted by the boys, with the trees being birch and ash.