Martin Freeman is famously known for his role as Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit films. Landing a part in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Freeman joined the franchise as Everett Ross. But, before he gained international stardom, there was one project that started it all.
Freeman played the role of Tim Canterbury in The Office, an underachieving salesman at the Slough branch of Wernham Hogg Paper Merchants. The actor previously admitted he was afraid of being typecast because of his performance in the sitcom, but as it turns out, he had a fruitful career afterward.
Martin Freeman Talks About His Love For The Office
Speaking with The Guardian, English actor Martin Freeman admitted he loved his time working in The Office as Tim Canterbury. He noted that it was one of the best projects he has ever accomplished in his career:
“I’m very proud of The Office. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done and one of the best things I’ll ever do. I don’t want to complain about that. Most people don’t get anywhere near that kind of reaction and acclaim and for something that you love. So that was a lucky gig.”
After starring in The Office, Freeman was so popular already that he scored a couple of films after exiting the show. When asked how he handled the fame, the actor answered:
“I don’t know. Amanda [Abbington, his partner] says there was a small period when she felt that I believed it a bit. But I can’t remember that, to be honest. It might well be true.”
Freeman is undoubtedly the only actor who could portray Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit. Even director Peter Jackson says so. When prompted the question if he has always been confident about himself, he responded:
“Yes, but there was a period about six or seven years ago where pickings got a bit slimmer, a bit less exciting. I’d just bought a house and then got a tax bill the size of the Isle of Man, and I was worried. I remember saying to a very good friend of mine: ‘Do you think I’m a good actor? Am I just banging my head against the wall?’ And I was famous.”
Achieving that level of success sometimes makes an actor question his own talent and skills, but Freeman has proven time and time again that he is one of the most versatile actors in the industry.
Martin Freeman On The True Essence Of Acting
Martin Freeman said in the same conversation with The Guardian that he enjoys acting as much as working with other people. For him, the best output can only be accomplished through collaboration:
“I think acting is all about the other people. Sounds like a worthy thing to say, but it’s true. I like the odd day on my own in the course of a film because you’ve got complete control, and you can indulge yourself and all that sort of stuff. But the best work comes out of at least another person being in the room.”
Freeman’s other credits include The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, The World’s End, and BBC’s Sherlock.
