Jonny Lee Miller (born 15 November 1972) is an English actor known for versatile performances in film, television, and stage. He gained international notice in the 1990s for roles in Hackers and Trainspotting, earning acclaim in later projects such as Afterglow, Mansfield Park, The Flying Scotsman, and T2 Trainspotting. On television, he starred in Eli Stone, Dexter, Elementary, and The Crown as John Major. Miller has won a Laurence Olivier Award for his work in Frankenstein. As of early 2026, he remains active in screen and theatre, noted for intense portrayals of complex characters.
Here is a quick overview of key facts about Jonny Lee Miller:
| Full Name | Jonathan Lee Miller |
| Date of Birth | 15 November 1972 |
| Age (as of January 2026) | 53 years old |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) |
| Birthplace | Kingston-upon-Thames, Greater London, England |
| Occupation | Actor (film, television, theatre) |
| Family | Son of Alan Miller (stage actor) and Ann Lee (theatre actress); maternal grandfather Bernard Lee (actor known as M in early James Bond films); married to Angelina Jolie (1996–1999), Michele Hicks (2008–2018); one son, Buster Timothy Miller (born 2008) |
| Net Worth (2025–2026 estimate) | Approximately $8–$12 million |
Jonny Lee Miller Biography
Jonny Lee Miller was born Jonathan Lee Miller on 15 November 1972 in Kingston-upon-Thames, Greater London, England. He grew up in south-west London in a family immersed in the performing arts. His father, Alan Miller, was a stage actor, director, and teacher, while his mother, Ann Lee, worked in theatre. His maternal grandfather, Bernard Lee, was best known for playing M in the first eleven James Bond films (from Dr. No in 1962 to Moonraker in 1979). This rich theatrical heritage led Jonny to pursue acting early.
As a child, Miller attended Tiffin School in Kingston-upon-Thames, where he participated in school plays, including The Ragged Child, and performed with the Tiffin Swing Band. He joined the National Youth Music Theatre, where he met fellow actor Jude Law. At age 16, after completing his GCSEs, Miller left school to focus on his acting career full-time.
Miller made his television debut at age nine with an uncredited appearance in the BBC series Doctor Who (episode “Kinda,” 1982). In 1983, he appeared in Jemima Shore Investigates and played Charles Price in the BBC serial Mansfield Park. Throughout the early 1990s, he guest-starred in various British TV shows, including Keeping Up Appearances (1990), Inspector Morse (1991), Minder (1991), The Bill (1991 and 1993), Between the Lines (1992), and Casualty (1992). In 1993, he had a brief role in the soap opera EastEnders as Jonathan Hewitt, but turned down a contract extension to pursue other opportunities.
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Miller’s breakthrough came in 1995 with Hackers, where he played Dade Murphy (“Zero Cool”/”Crash Override”) alongside Angelina Jolie. The film became a cult favorite, especially among tech-savvy audiences. In 1996, he portrayed Sick Boy in Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting, a role that earned him international recognition. To prepare for the Scottish accent, he immersed himself in Glasgow, spending time in bars and on the streets to perfect the dialect. The performance was widely praised, and many viewers assumed he was Scottish.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Miller built a diverse film career with roles in Afterglow (1997), Regeneration (1997), Plunkett & Macleane (1999), Mansfield Park (1999), Love, Honour and Obey (2000), Complicity (2000), Dracula 2000 (2000), The Escapist (2002), Mindhunters (2004), Melinda and Melinda (2004), Æon Flux (2005), The Flying Scotsman (2006), Endgame (2009), Dark Shadows (2012), Byzantium (2013), and T2 Trainspotting (2017).
As of early 2026, Miller continues to take on theatre and screen roles while maintaining a private lifestyle. He became a U.S. citizen in November 2014 and volunteers as a firefighter in New York. He also advocates for research on Sanfilippo syndrome and addressed a Congressional caucus in Washington, D.C., in 2014.
Height
Jonny Lee Miller stands at 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 meters) tall.
Family
Jonny Lee Miller was born to Alan Miller (stage actor, director, teacher) and Ann Lee (theatre actress), with Bernard Lee, famed for playing M in James Bond films, as his maternal grandfather.
Miller married actress Angelina Jolie on March 28, 1996, after meeting on the set of Hackers. Jude Law served as best man. They separated in September 1997 and divorced in 1999, remaining on good terms.
In 2006, Miller began dating actress Michele Hicks. They married in July 2008 in Malibu, California. Their son, Buster Timothy Miller, was born in December 2008. The couple divorced in 2018.
As of early 2026, Miller keeps his personal life private and has no other children or marriages reported.
Movies and TV Shows
Jonny Lee Miller has appeared in numerous films and television series across British and American productions. Key credits include:
Movies:
- Hackers (1995) – Dade Murphy (“Zero Cool”/”Crash Override”)
- Trainspotting (1996) – Simon “Sick Boy” Williamson
- Afterglow (1997) – Jeffrey Byron
- Regeneration (1997) – 2nd Lt. Billy Prior
- Plunkett & Macleane (1999) – Macleane
- Mansfield Park (1999) – Edmund Bertram
- Love, Honour and Obey (2000) – Jonny
- Complicity (2000) – Cameron Colley
- Dracula 2000 (2000) – Simon Sheppard
- The Escapist (2002) – Denis Hopkins
- Mindhunters (2004) – Lucas Harper
- Melinda and Melinda (2004) – Lee
- Æon Flux (2005) – Oren Goodchild
- The Flying Scotsman (2006) – Graeme Obree
- Endgame (2009) – Michael Young
- Dark Shadows (2012) – Roger Collins
- Byzantium (2013) – The Captain
- T2 Trainspotting (2017) – Sick Boy
- Funny Face (2020) – Developer
- Settlers (2021) – Reza
- Alice (2022) – Paul Bennet
- The Covenant (2023) – Colonel Vokes
- The Uprising (TBA) – Filming
TV Shows:
- Doctor Who (1982) – Uncredited child role
- Jemima Shore Investigates (1983)
- Mansfield Park (1983) – Charles Price
- Keeping Up Appearances (1990)
- The Bill (1991, 1993)
- EastEnders (1993) – Jonathan Hewitt
- Prime Suspect 3 (1993)
- Cadfael (1994)
- Dead Man’s Walk (1996)
- Smith (2006–2007)
- Eli Stone (2008–2009) – Title role
- Emma (2009) – Mr. Knightley
- Dexter (2010) – Jordan Chase
- Elementary (2012–2019) – Sherlock Holmes
- The Crown (2022) – John Major (Season 5)
Miller has also appeared in stage productions, including Frankenstein (2011, Olivier Award winner), Ink (2019), and A Mirror (2023–2024).
Net Worth
As of early 2026, Jonny Lee Miller’s net worth is estimated at $8–$12 million. His wealth comes from a long career in film, television, and theatre. Key earnings sources include:
- High-profile roles in films like Trainspotting, Hackers, The Flying Scotsman, Dark Shadows, and T2 Trainspotting.
- Long-running lead role as Sherlock Holmes in Elementary (2012–2019, 154 episodes).
- Stage work, including award-winning performances in Frankenstein (2011) and recent productions like A Mirror.
- Guest and supporting roles in TV series such as Dexter and The Crown.
- Residuals and royalties from streaming platforms and home media sales of his 1990s and 2000s films.
Miller has lived more modestly than many Hollywood peers, with no major financial scandals or significant debts reported. He owns property in the U.S. and the U.K. and supports charities, including running marathons for Mencap and advocating for research into Sanfilippo syndrome. His net worth remains stable due to ongoing residuals, selective project choices, and careful financial management as of early 2026.
