Take the BuddyTV Personality Quiz: What Lost Character Are You? Most popularly known for his work on the film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Dominic Bernard Patrick Luke Monaghan is an English actor who spent his first few years of life in Berlin, Germany. He was born on December 8, 1976, and at the age of 4, relocated with his family to Heaton Moor, Stockport, England. He earned his diploma from St. Anne’s RC High School and pursued his studies in English Literature, Drama and Geography at Aquinas College. While he was completing his tertiary education, Monaghan landed the role of Geoffrey Shawcross on the BBC program, Hetty Wainthrop Investigates.
Following the success of the Lord of the Rings franchise, Monaghan was cast in the role of Charlie Pace on the popular television series, Lost. The role has earned him several individual and group recognitions, including a 2005 Prism Award Nomination for Performance in a Drama Series Storyline and a 2005 Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor on Television.
His character on Lost has been known for wearing makeshift finger rings with different letters, and Monaghan said that he originated that particular character trait because he felt Charlie would find a way to express his artistic side, even while stranded on a mysterious island. Monaghan is engaged to actress Evangeline Lilly, who plays Kate Austen on the show.
His other acting credits include Hostile Waters, This is Personal: The Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper, Monsignor Renard, An Insomniac’s Nightmare, Spivs, The Purifiers, Shooting Livien and I Sell the Dead. In addition, he is the voice behind the do!$#!#entary, Ringers: Lord of the Fans.
In his efforts to protect and preserve the environment, Monaghan has gotten involved in several tree planting and forest preservation projects. He is also the owner of a small forest in India, and has participated in a PETA awareness campaign regarding the handling of wildlife. In 2008, he was cast in film X-Men Origins: Wolverine, a superhero movie based on the Marvel Comics character.