History of Tom Holland in Timeline

Tom Holland is a highly successful English actor, recognized with a BAFTA Award and inclusion in Forbes' 30 Under 30 Europe list. He is considered by some to be among the most popular actors of his generation. As of 2025, his films have generated over $9.9 billion globally, solidifying his position as one of the highest-grossing film actors in history.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1981: The Minds of Billy Milligan Publication

In 1981, "The Minds of Billy Milligan" was published and served as inspiration for the Apple TV+ miniseries "The Crowded Room" (2023) starring Tom Holland.

June 1996: Born in Kingston upon Thames

On June 1996, Thomas Stanley Holland was born in Kingston upon Thames, in south-west London, to Nicola (née Frost) and Dominic Holland.

June 1996: Tom Holland's Birth

On June 1996, Thomas Stanley Holland was born, marking the beginning of his life and career as an English actor.

2000: In the Heart of the Sea based on 2000 book

In 2015, Holland starred in In the Heart of the Sea, which is based on a namesake 2000 non-fiction book.

2006: Performed at the Richmond Dance Festival

In 2006, Tom Holland performed with his school group at the Richmond Dance Festival, where he was spotted by choreographer Lynne Page.

June 2008: Debut Performance in Billy Elliot the Musical

In June 2008, Tom Holland made his debut performance as Michael Caffrey in Billy Elliot the Musical at the West End's Victoria Palace Theatre.

2008: Secured a Supporting Part in Billy Elliot the Musical and Upgraded to Title Role

In 2008, after two years of training, Tom Holland secured a supporting part in Billy Elliot the Musical and was subsequently upgraded to the title role later that year.

2008: Promotion to Lead Role in Billy Elliot the Musical

Later in 2008, Tom Holland and co-star Tanner Pflueger were promoted to the lead role in Billy Elliot the Musical.

2010: Finished Work on Billy Elliot the Musical

After his work on Billy Elliot the Musical finished in 2010, Holland voiced a role in the British dub of the Japanese animated fantasy film Arrietty (2011), and sent an audition tape to Juan Antonio Bayona for a part in The Impossible (2012).

2010: Final Performance in Billy Elliot the Musical

In 2010, Tom Holland concluded his run in the title role of Billy Elliot the Musical.

2011: Voiced a Role in Arrietty

In 2011, after his work on Billy Elliot the Musical finished, Tom Holland voiced a role in the British dub of the Japanese animated fantasy film Arrietty.

2012: Screen International's "UK Stars of Tomorrow"

In 2012, Holland appeared on Screen International's "UK Stars of Tomorrow", marking an early recognition of his potential.

2012: Film Debut in The Impossible

In 2012, Tom Holland made his film debut in the disaster drama The Impossible, playing a teenage tourist trapped in a tsunami.

2012: Auditioned for The Impossible

In 2012, after his work on Billy Elliot the Musical finished, Tom Holland sent an audition tape to Juan Antonio Bayona for a part in The Impossible.

2013: Appeared in How I Live Now

In 2013, Tom Holland appeared in the film How I Live Now, furthering his acting career.

2013: Featured in How I Live Now and Locke

In 2013, Tom Holland featured in the drama film How I Live Now and lent his voice in a supporting role for the drama film Locke.

2014: Cameo in Billy Elliot the Musical Live

In 2014, Tom Holland had a cameo in Billy Elliot the Musical Live, furthering his involvement with the production.

June 2015: Signed Six-Picture Deal with Marvel Studios

In June 2015, Tom Holland signed a six-picture deal with Marvel Studios to play Spider-Man, solidifying his role in the MCU.

2015: The Hollywood Reporter's "Next Gen"

In 2015, Holland was featured in The Hollywood Reporter's "Next Gen", a list of promising newcomers in film.

2015: Role in Wolf Hall, Directed Tweet, and In the Heart of the Sea

In 2015, Tom Holland appeared in Wolf Hall as Gregory Cromwell, directed Tweet, and co-starred in In the Heart of the Sea as Thomas Nickerson.

2015: Directed Short Film Tweet

In 2015, Tom Holland directed the short film Tweet, showcasing his talents behind the camera.

2015: Played Historical Figures in Film and Miniseries

In 2015, Tom Holland played historical figures in the film In the Heart of the Sea and the miniseries Wolf Hall.

2016: International Recognition as Spider-Man

In 2016, Tom Holland achieved international recognition playing Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War, marking his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

2016: Co-starred in Edge of Winter

In 2016, Tom Holland co-starred with Joel Kinnaman and Percy Hynes White in the psychological thriller Edge of Winter.

2016: First Appearance as Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War

In 2016, Tom Holland first appeared as Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War, marking his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

2017: Won BAFTA Rising Star Award

In 2017, Tom Holland won the Rising Star Award at the 70th British Academy Film Awards and starred in The Lost City of Z.

2017: Solo Feature in Spider-Man: Homecoming

In 2017, Tom Holland's second film was his solo feature as the title character in Spider-Man: Homecoming. He also appeared in Pilgrimage.

2018: Reprised Role as Spider-Man in Avengers: Infinity War

In 2018, Tom Holland reprised his role as Spider-Man in Avengers: Infinity War.

2019: Views on Representation and Marvel Films

In 2019, Holland advocated for more representation in film and defended Marvel films as "real art" against criticisms from Martin Scorsese.

2019: Forbes' "30 Under 30 Europe"

In 2019, Holland was included in Forbes' "30 Under 30 Europe", a list of influential people under 30 years.

2019: Spider-Man: Far From Home Grossed Over $1 Billion

In 2019, Spider-Man: Far From Home, a sequel starring Tom Holland, grossed over $1 billion worldwide.

2019: Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: Far From Home Success

In 2019, Tom Holland starred in Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: Far From Home, both of which achieved significant commercial success.

2019: Featured on Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe

In 2019, Tom Holland was featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list, recognizing his achievements and influence.

2019: Chaos Walking Reshoots

In early 2019, "Chaos Walking" underwent reshoots, adding $15 million to the budget.

November 2020: The Devil All the Time Ranking

By November 2020, The Devil All the Time, starring Tom Holland, was the 22nd-most watched straight-to-streaming title of the year, according to a Variety report.

2020: Glamour's "Hot, Young & British Actors"

In 2020, Holland appeared on Glamour's "Hot, Young & British Actors".

2020: Played Against-Type Role in The Devil All the Time

In 2020, Tom Holland expanded his acting range to play against-type roles in the crime drama The Devil All the Time.

2020: Voiced Roles in Dolittle and Onward

In 2020, Tom Holland voiced roles in the live-action film Dolittle and the Pixar animated film Onward.

November 2021: Public Acknowledgment of Relationship with Zendaya

In November 2021, Tom Holland publicly acknowledged his relationship with Zendaya, his Spider-Man co-star, later discussing the privacy concerns.

November 2021: Voicing Percy Pig and Spider-Man: No Way Home Release

In November 2021, Tom Holland voiced Percy Pig for Marks & Spencer's Christmas advertisements. Also, Holland reprised his role as Peter Parker in "Spider-Man: No Way Home", which became a huge success.

December 2021: Recognition as a Top Actor

In December 2021, Variety editors recognized Holland's potential to become a top-paid actor due to the success of the Spider-Man films and a lack of young leading men in Hollywood.

2021: Doubts About Spider-Man Future and Uncharted Preparation

In 2021, Holland expressed doubts about continuing as Spider-Man and began preparing for his role as Nathan Drake in the "Uncharted" film adaptation, including working shifts at a London pub.

2021: Spider-Man: No Way Home Became Highest-Grossing Film of the Year

In 2021, Spider-Man: No Way Home, starring Tom Holland, became the highest-grossing film of the year, grossing over $1 billion worldwide.

2021: Starring in Cherry and Chaos Walking

In 2021, Tom Holland starred in "Cherry", playing a PTSD-affected college student turned bank robber, and "Chaos Walking", a sci-fi adaptation that faced delays and poor reviews.

2022: Opinion on Tom Cruise Comments

In 2022, Holland expressed that Tom Cruise overlooked the commercial impact of Uncharted when taking credit for "bringing the film industry back".

2022: Becoming a Teetotaler

In 2022, Tom Holland became a teetotaler after participating in Dry January, citing dependence on alcohol in social situations.

2022: Action Film Role in Uncharted

In 2022, Tom Holland had another action film role in Uncharted.

2023: Starring in The Crowded Room

In 2023, Holland starred in and executive produced "The Crowded Room", a miniseries that received negative reviews and led him to take a year off work due to the role's emotional toll.

2023: Tom Cruise Comments

In 2023, Tom Cruise took credit for "bringing the film industry back" during the COVID-19 pandemic with Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.