He might be best known as Norman Bates from Bates Motel but Freddie Highmore has been part of many movies and TV shows over the years – here’s where else you’ve seen the actor. Born in 1992, Freddie Highmore began his career in the entertainment business when he was seven years old and hasn’t stopped working ever since.
Highmore went from child star to one of the most respected young actors of his generation thanks to his role in Bates Motel. This series served as a contemporary prequel to Alfred Hitchcock’s classic Psycho and followed the lives of Norman Bates and his mother Norma (Vera Farmiga) prior to the events of the film. Before the series began, Highmore appeared in various movies and TV shows portraying a variety of roles.
Freddie Highmore’s movies and TV shows range from dramas to fantasy musicals and medical dramas. He made his debut in 1999 comedy Women Talking Dirty, where he played Helena Bonham Carter’s son. He made his television debut the following year in TV movie Happy Birthday Shakespeare, and in 2001 had small roles in shows like The Mists Of Avalon and Jack And The Beanstalk: The Real Story. In 2004 Highmore starred in Finding Neverland alongside Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet, which was something of a breakout role for the young actor.
Highmore later starred in the title role in Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, a 2005 adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book. Highmore was considered by many as the heart of the film, and this role opened more doors for him in the industry. He next appeared in A Good Year as the young version of Russell Crowe’s character. In 2007, he played Evan Taylor - aka “August Rush” - in Kirsten Sheridan’s drama August Rush, and had a voice role that same year in The Golden Compass. He played twins Jared and Simon Grace in The Spiderwick Chronicles and lent his voice to Toby Tenma in Astro Boy.
He went back to television in 2010 for the biographical TV movie Toast, where he played food writer Nigel Slater. That same year, he appeared in the movie Master Harold…And The Boys, based on the play of the same name. In 2013 he voiced Justin in Justin And The Knights Of Valour and that same year Bates Motel began its run. His role as Norman Bates didn’t stop him from taking part in other projects, including movies The Journey, Almost Friends and miniseries Close To The Enemy. He’s currently the lead in medical drama series The Good Doctor and will next appear in movie Way Down, as well as German animated fantasy Dragon Rider in an undisclosed voice role. Freddie Highmore’s movie and TV career thus far has involved a bit of everything and there’s much more to come.
Next: Bates Motel Season 5 Episode 1 Did A Much Better Job Remaking Psycho
