Unmasking Actor Armie Hammer
One day, he’s playing the most famous twins since the Olsens in 2010’s “The Social Network.” A few short years later, he’s starring opposite Johnny Depp in the title role of 2013’s “The Lone Ranger.” Young actor Armie Hammer might not have many big- and little-screen credits to his name quite yet, but his success over the past few years show he’s an up-and-coming force to be reckoned with.
Born on August 28, 1986 to parents Michael and Dru Ann Hammer, Armie spent his early childhood years moving between Los Angeles, Texas, and the Cayman Islands. By the time he reached his teens, the family had moved back to Los Angeles, where Armie still makes his home. Armie’s immediate family includes his younger brother, Victor, and his wife, Elizabeth Chambers.
Armie hails from a prominent family that includes his oil tycoon great-grandfather, Armand Hammer, maternal grandfather and Tulsa real estate developer, Doug Mobley, and paternal great-grandmother and Russian-born actress, Olga Vadina. His own parents are no strangers to prominence, running the Armand Hammer Foundation, a philanthropic organization named for his great-grandfather. His businessman father is also the owner, founder, or board member of many other organizations and businesses, including the Hammer International Foundation, the Los Angeles Dream Center, Pepperdine University, Oral Roberts University, Hammer Galleries, and Hammer Productions. Mom Dru Ann serves by her husband’s side on many of his board and business involvements.
It was Armie’s father’s love for the movie “The Firm” that began the family’s relationship with the Cayman Islands in the 1990s. After frequent trips, the family relocated to the Caymans in 1993, where Michael founded Grace Christian Academy, a private school. While there, Armie’s father also founded a Christian radio station that served the Cayman Islands. Armie attended the school his father founded while living in the Caribbean.
After the family returned to southern California, Armie attended the Los Angeles Baptist High School before dropping out in the eleventh grade to pursue acting. Although his parents run Hammer Productions, a film production company, Armie’s decision to go into that industry, especially after leaving school, left a bit of a rift in his family. As Armie grew his acting career, however, he did become involved in college-level studies at both Pasadena City College and UCLA.
Armie grew his acting career organically, beginning with one-time appearances on a variety of television shows. Between 2005 and 2007, he appeared on “Arrested Development,” “Veronica Mars,” and “Desperate Housewives.” He also had a minor role in the 2006 movie version of “Flicka.” His luck in casting began turning around through 2008 and 2009, when Armie landed recurring roles on television shows “Gossip” and “Reaper” as well as roles of increasing prominence in movies “Blackout,” “Spring Breakdown,” and “2081.” Armie also portrayed Billy Graham in “Billy: The Early Years.”
Since landing the roles of both Winklevoss twins in “The Social Network,” Armie’s star has been in ascendance. He followed up “The Social Network” with roles in 2011’s “J. Edgar” and 2012’s “Mirror Mirror” opposite Julia Roberts. He scored a major coup when he landed the role of the Lone Ranger in the film of the same title, a movie endowed by the epic acting weight of Johnny Depp portraying Tonto. ” The Lone Ranger ” also stars Hollywood stars William Fichtner and Helena Bonham Carter, leaving Armie surrounded by decades of acting excellence.
The next few years look equally bright for Armie Hammer. He has been named for the casts of films “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” and “2:22” and is rumored to be attached to “Serpent Girl” with actresses Helen Hunt and Malin Akerman. Armie has also parlayed his acting talent into recent voiceover roles on “The Simpsons” and “American Dad.” As his popularity continues to grow by leaps and bounds, it’s ever more apparent Armie will be able to look forward to exciting opportunities in the future. Having already co-starred against some of the largest names in Hollywood, one can only wonder whom he’ll pair up with next.
Armie married wife Elizabeth Chambers on May 20, 2010 after a nine-month engagement. Chambers, who also spent her formative years in California, has gained recognition as both a model and actress. More recently, Chambers has acted as a report for Current TV, with additional on-air reporting spots with The Speed Channel, NBC, Fox, and E! Entertainment. The couple split their time between Los Angeles and Chambers’s hometown of San Antonio, Texas. While Armie commutes to his shooting locations around the country, Chambers has opened a bakery in the Alamo Heights neighborhood.