Richard Madden reveals he survived on £3.70 a DAY before finding fame and fortune in Game Of Thrones... and admits he'd happily play a superhero (but only for the money)
Key roles in two prominent dramas have helped turn Richard Madden into one of Britain’s most prominent acting exports, but the star admits life was very different before he found fame, fortune and a new life in Los Angeles.
The Scottish actor became a household name following his emergence as the brave but ultimately doomed Robb Stark in Game of Thrones, a part he later matched with a starring role in Jed Mercurio’s hard-hitting BBC hit Bodyguard.
Such is Madden’s rising stock, James Bond producers are rumoured to have taken note ahead of Daniel Craig’s fifth and final appearance as the iconic British agent.
Riches are coming: Richard Madden admits he was flat broke and living on a meagre budget of just £3.70 a day before he found fame in Game Of Thrones
But the 32-year old admits his international fame comes following a period of comparative poverty as a struggling actor, during which he survived on a meagre budget of just £3.70 a day.
Share this article
He told The Jackal magazine: ‘I’m not bulls****ing you – I was completely broke. I used my savings to pay my last month’s rent and that was it. I thought, “After this, I don’t have any money. I’ll have to move back to my parents.”’
Madden will soon swap small-screen drama for big-screen entertainment in eagerly anticipated Elton John biopic Rocket Man, playing the legendary musician's manager and lover John Reid.
Game changer: Key roles in two prominent dramas have helped turn him nto one of Britain’s most prominent acting exports
Breakout: The Scottish actor played the brave but ultimately doomed Robb Stark in Game of Thrones
Popular: He later matched his appearance in the fantasy series with a starring role in Jed Mercurio’s hard-hitting BBC hit Bodyguard
Brooding: But the 32-year old admits his international fame comes following a period of comparative poverty as a struggling actor, during which he survived on a meagre budget of just £3.70 a day
Hard times: He told The Jackal magazine - ‘I’m not bulls****ing you – I was completely broke'
He revealed: 'I used my savings to pay my last month’s rent and that was it. I thought, “After this, I don’t have any money. I’ll have to move back to my parents”’
New role: Madden will soon swap small-screen drama for big-screen entertainment in eagerly anticipated Elton John biopic Rocket Man
Big things: He will be playing the legendary musician's manager and lover John Reid
The challenging role sees the actor join a stellar cast that includes Taron Egerton as Sir Elton, Jamie Bell as songwriting partner Bernie Taupin and Bryce Dallas Howard as Sir Elton's mother, Sheila.
Read all about it: The full interview is available in the latest issue of The Jackal, out now
It is also the latest addition to a hugely impressive body of work that Madden admits he isn't afraid to diversify if it means earning money.
'We all have to eat, and I'm sure at some point I'll take a job for the money,' he said. 'Maybe I'll use that to fund a smaller project for myself six months down the line.
'I'll put on some Lycra, I'll be a superhero. People want entertainment and escapism and I'm not against that.'
Rocket Man is slated for release in the UK on May 22 2019, and in the USA on May 31.
The full interview is available in the latest issue of The Jackal, out now.
