Firth Foremost

So how does British actor Colin Firth, who costars with Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Malcolm McDowell in the new My Life So Far  feel about his career so far? "At any point in an actor's life, to have made a genuine impact is something be cherished," says Firth, 38, who captured American audiences as Mr. Darcy in the 1996 A&E miniseries Pride and Prejudice. "But I get the jitters if too much attention is focused on me." Not that Firth is complaining. As a kid, he recalls, "I remember watching a crowd scene on television, and mom said,' See all those people walking up and down the street? They're actors.  Do you want to do that? Because that's what most actors do.  You've got two people doing dialogue and 200 people walking in the back.' [Being an extra] certainly wasn't my ambition."

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As the dashing Mr. Darcy in the 1995 BBC miniseries Pride and Prejudice, Colin Firth bewitched millions of women throughout Britain and beyond. Among them was Bridget Jones's Diary novelist Helen Fielding, who modeled the character of the aloof Mark Darcy after the brown-eyed 6'1 actor. Casting Firth in the film five years later was a no-brainer. 

"The character is based on Colin Firth playing Mr. Darcy, so it is very hard to visualize anyone else," says Bridget director Sharon Maguire. "Besides, he is also deeply fanciable and easy on the eyes." But Firth, 40, is quick to point out where he and his brooding Darcys diverge: "I have far more of a sense of humor, and physically I am much more animated." Actress Embeth Davidtz, who plays Firth's colleague in Bridget, agrees: "Colin is bright and funny and sparky. He has a perfect smile and that dark curly hair you want to run your fingers through." Firth hasn't always packed such a visual punch, though. As a scrawny teen, the son of English academics kept his hair long, hoping to cultivate a hippie look. "I had no choice," he says. "I could either be a dweeb or cast myself as a poet." 

Eventually he filled out, but he was still self-conscious when he had to strip for a scene in 1995's Circle of Friends. Saffron Burrows, his costar in the film, recalls that Firth was "just horrified, because his bum had to be shown." Two hours before the shoot, "Colin was eating lettuce for lunch," she says. "When I asked why, he said, 'Oh, cripes, I've just realized that we've got a love scene. I've got to diet!'"

Today, says Firth, "I'm far more comfortable with myself." Married to Italian film producer Livia Giuggioli, 31, who gave birth to son Luca in March (he also has son William, 10, by actress Meg Tilly), he is happily settled with his family in London. And though he tries to keep fit by swimming and running, he says, "I'm not pumped and I don't look like Brad Pitt. I never will." Nobody seems to be complaining. 

© Copyright People 2001 

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ACTOR 

"Colin Firth can thank Katie Couric for helping secure his spot on PEOPLE'S 50 Most Beautiful list. Couric, who was also tapped this year, lobbied for the Bridget Jones's Diary hero at her own photo session after he charmed her on Today (US am news show). He proved her faith well-placed. Graciously greeting all during his April photo shoot at London's historic Syon House, Firth paused upon meeting the photographer, Colin Bell, asking, 'So what excuse did your parents give you for calling you Colin?' He continued his good-natured ribbing throughout the rainy outdoor shoot. When Bell asked for an umbrella-not for Firth but for the camera-the actor called out, 'Get him some heaters too! ' And even the request to pose bare- foot in the 55 degree temperatures didn't raise a hint of complaint from Firth. 'The more uncomfortable it is,' he observed with a laugh, 'the better it looks, I suppose!' " 

-Eileen Finan, contributing reporter 

photos: Colin Bell
 

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