Tom Holland (born Thomas Stanley Holland, June 1, 1996, Kingston upon Thames, England) is an English actor who has risen to prominence as one of the most recognizable film stars of his generation, best known for his portrayal of Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)[3][4]. Holland began his career as a child performer, first training in dance and making his stage debut in London’s West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical, where he progressed from a supporting role to the title character between 2008 and 2010[5][7]. His transition to film came with the critically acclaimed disaster drama The Impossible (2012), in which he played a teenager caught in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. This breakout role earned him widespread praise, several awards, and a Goya Award nomination, solidifying his commitment to acting as a career[1][5][7]. Holland’s early filmography includes How I Live Now (2013), Locke (2013), In the Heart of the Sea (2015), and the miniseries Wolf Hall (2015), where he portrayed historical figures[1][5]. However, his international fame skyrocketed when he was cast as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, making his MCU debut in Captain America: Civil War (2016) and headlining the Spider-Man trilogy: Homecoming (2017), Far From Home (2019), and No Way Home (2021)[3][4]. Holland’s youthful, energetic, and emotionally vulnerable take on the character has been widely praised, distinguishing him from previous actors in the role[3][4]. His performances in these blockbusters have contributed to the franchise’s massive commercial success, with the Spider-Man films alone grossing nearly $4 billion worldwide[4]. Beyond the MCU, Holland starred in the 2022 adventure film Uncharted, based on the popular video game series, which performed strongly at the box office[4]. He has also received industry recognition, including a British Academy Film Award and three Saturn Awards, and was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list in 2019[5]. Holland is engaged to actress and singer Zendaya, his co-star in the Spider-Man films[3]. As of 2025, Tom Holland remains a leading figure in Hollywood, balancing blockbuster franchises with selective dramatic projects. His continued relevance is underscored by his consistent box office draw, critical acclaim, and status as a defining actor for a new generation of filmgoers[4][5].