5. He almost didn’t play Bilbo

Beyond John, Martin’s biggest role is definitely Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit movies. Unfortunately, he almost had to pass up the role due to scheduling conflicts with Sherlock. Thankfully, Peter Jackson jiggled around some dates and made it work as he was so adamant on getting Freeman, saying he was “born to play that role.”

4. He’s not a big party animal

Martin has never been one to paint the town red and has frequently joked about his distaste of nights out. “God, no. I don’t do any of that shit [partying with celebrities],” he has said. “I’ve got a stag weekend coming up and I’ve said I’m not doing anything more than a few drinks. I won’t have it. I’ll go home and watch Antiques Roadshow.” He has also stated: “My idea of a good night out is staying in.”

3. But he is a massive music fan

Something Martin loves with a passion is music. He owns an extensive vinyl collection and has admitted to spending quite a lot on record players, speakers and amps. “Most people have a passive relationship with music and clothes, with culture,” the actor has said. “But music was my first contact with anything creative. Music is it, as far as I’m concerned.”

2. He has accepted his role as a “geek prince”

With Sherlock, The Hobbit, Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy and a Marvel film under his belt, Martin Freeman is commonly found in geeky productions. Thankfully, Martin has fully accepted this. At The Hobbit premiere, he said:

“I’m geek royalty now. That’s the main responsibility. It’s not playing Bilbo, it’s my responsibility as a geek prince.”

1. He wanted to be a squash player as a kid

If things had gone differently, though, Martin might never have become an actor. Instead, he was a prodigious squash player as a boy. From nine to 14 years old, Martin was on the British national squad for the sport. However, he had a change of heart over what he wanted to do and joined a youth acting club at 15.

On why he gave up squash, Martin joked: “I don’t have the mental strength or killer instinct. I’d be beating an opponent and worry he was upset. I became an actor because I’m a softie.”