Original 'Billy' Jamie Bell Talks 'ELLIOT' Role to People Mag

Actor Jamie Bell, the award winning actor who created the role of Billy Elliot in the film version can currently be seen on the big screen in 'Defiance', he spoke to People magazine about working on that film as well as his performance in Billy Elliot.

On dealing with fame and an Oscar nomination at age 13, he explained, "I had my mom. The day I got back from the Oscars, she said, "Great. Now take out the trash."

Bell, now 22, also explains that the other kids at school would, "Chase me around school, I didn't know of they wanted to beat me up or congratulate me."

Jamie Bell leapt into public recognition playing the title role in Stephen Daldry's worldwide smash hit Billy Elliot. His eclectic range of subsequent films include Peter Jackson's King Kong, Thomas Vinterberg's Dear Wendy, David Gordon Green's Undertow, Douglas McGrath's star-studded adaptation of Nicholas Nickleby and Clint Eastwood's Flags of Our Fathers.

Bell's performance in Billy Elliot garnered him many awards and nominations, among them the BAFTA for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, the Evening Standard Award for Most Promising Newcomer and the London Critics Circle Film Award for British Newcomer of the Year. He was last seen in Doug Liman's Jumper.A hit in London and one of the most highly anticipated shows of the season, Billy Elliot officially opened at Broadway's Imperial Theatre on Thursday, November 13th, 2008.

With music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall and directed by Stephen Daldry, this joyful musical lights up Broadway eight times a week!

Directed by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot has played over 1,300 performances and recently celebrated its 3rd anniversary in London. Billy Elliot the Musical opened at London's Victoria Palace in May 2005 to unanimous critical acclaim.

The production went on to sweep London's nine awards for Best Musical, including the Olivier, Evening Standard and Critics' Circle Theatre Awards. In London, Billy Elliot has now been seen by over 1.5 million people and has grossed over £65 million.