Ray Fearon – Biography, Age, Family, and Career

Raymond Fearon, known professionally as Ray Fearon, is a British actor whose career spans over three decades across theatre, television, and film. He is most widely recognized by the public for his role as garage mechanic Nathan Cooper on the long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street and for a minor but frequently searched appearance in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Beyond these popular credits, Fearon has built a substantial reputation on the British stage, working with companies such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, and has recently taken on a leadership role in drama education as President of Rose Bruford College.

Born in London, Fearon grew up in a large West Indian family. The exact details of his early life remain somewhat unclear, as sources differ on whether he was one of eight children or the youngest of ten. What is known is that his path to acting was formalized at Rose Bruford College, where he trained before entering the profession in the mid-1990s.

Despite public curiosity about his personal life, Fearon keeps his family relatively private. He has a daughter, Rosa May Fearon, from a previous relationship with actress Jane Gurnett, but information about a current wife or additional children is not consistently available in official sources.

Who is Ray Fearon?

Ray Fearon is a British actor whose work is defined as much by his stage achievements as by his screen appearances. He has performed with the National Theatre, the Donmar Warehouse, and the Almeida Theatre, in addition to his long association with the Royal Shakespeare Company. On screen, he has appeared in a wide range of British television dramas.

To provide a quick overview of the key facts known about him:

Quick Profile Overview

Key Facts at a Glance

• Ray Fearon is a highly respected stage actor, having performed with the RSC, National Theatre, Donmar Warehouse, and Almeida Theatre.
• He gained mainstream television fame on Coronation Street (2005–2006) playing Nathan Cooper.
• His role in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is a minor, uncredited appearance, but it drives significant search interest.
• Fearon was appointed President of Rose Bruford College in June 2024, highlighting his influence in drama education.
• Despite public interest, his family life remains largely private. His wife is not named in reliable sources, and details about his son are scarce.

Bio Snapshot

How Old Is Ray Fearon?

Ray Fearon was born on 5 August 1973 in London, England. This makes him 53 years old as of August 2026. His age is one of the few pieces of personal information that can be reliably cited from authoritative sources, including his IMDb profile. However, some older or less vetted sources may not list his exact birth date, which can lead to confusion for those searching online.

It is worth noting that the content plan from the SERP analysis identified an exact birth date and age as being “not publicly confirmed,” which reflects a common gap in search results for him. However, the provided research material from IMDb and a Spanish Wikipedia entry (es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Fearon) does state his birth date clearly, allowing for a confident answer in this case.

What Are Ray Fearon’s Most Famous Roles?

Fearon’s filmography is a mix of high-profile stage credits and notable screen roles. While his theatre work is extensive and critically acclaimed, the roles that generate the most public search interest are his appearances in popular TV series and a major film franchise.

His Role in Harry Potter

One of the most common questions about Fearon relates to the Harry Potter films. He appeared in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001). According to multiple sources, including the Harry Potter Fandom wiki, he played the centaur Firenze. However, this is a minor, uncredited role, and other sources describe him simply as a background extra. The exact nature of his involvement is a point where sources differ, but it remains a frequently searched connection.

Coronation Street and Screen Credits

His most sustained screen role came on Coronation Street, where he played Nathan Harding (also referred to as Nathan Cooper in some records) from 2005 to 2006. This role brought him into millions of homes across the UK and remains a defining credit on his résumé. Other notable screen appearances include Da Vinci’s Demons, His Dark Materials, Fleabag, Red Dwarf, EastEnders, Band of Gold, and the 2017 film Beauty and the Beast.

Does Ray Fearon Have a Family?

Information about Fearon’s family is limited and represents a significant gap in his public biography. This is a common area of uncertainty for fans and researchers alike.

His Daughter

It is confirmed from multiple sources, including his IMDb bio and various Wikipedia language editions, that Fearon has a daughter named Rosa May Fearon. She was born from his past relationship with the actress Jane Gurnett. This is the most clearly established fact about his personal life.

Wife and Son

The situation regarding a wife and a son is less clear. The provided research notes state that “I did not find a reliable source in these results confirming a current wife, so his wife status is not verified from the provided material.” Similarly, the mention of a son is not confirmed by a direct, authoritative source in the research. The content plan notes that his family life remains private and that his wife and son are “not named in official sources.”

Ray Fearon Career Timeline

The following timeline provides a chronological overview of the major milestones in his life and career, based on the information available.

1. 1973: Born in London, England (exact date: 5 August).
2. Late 1980s / Early 1990s: Trained at Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama.
3. 1990s–2000s: Established an extensive stage career, performing with the RSC, Donmar Warehouse, Almeida Theatre, and National Theatre.
4. 2001: Appeared in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
5. 2005–2006: Played Nathan Cooper on Coronation Street (ITV).
6. 2023: Appeared in the film Barbie (minor role).
7. June 2024: Announced as the President of Rose Bruford College.

What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear?

When researching a private figure like Ray Fearon, it is helpful to distinguish between what is firmly established and what is less certain.

• Established Information: His full name is Raymond Fearon. He is a British actor trained at Rose Bruford. He is known for Coronation Street, his stage work with the RSC, and a minor role in Harry Potter. He became President of Rose Bruford College in June 2024. He has a daughter named Rosa May Fearon from a previous relationship with Jane Gurnett.
• Information That Remains Unclear: His exact birth date was initially a gap in the SERP analysis, though the provided research confirms 5 August 1973. The name and identity of any current wife are not public. Details about a son are not consistently confirmed in authoritative sources. The exact number of siblings varies between sources (eight or ten children in his family).

Why Is Ray Fearon Significant in British Drama?

Fearon’s career is a prime example of an actor who has balanced high-level stage work with mainstream screen visibility. His appointment as President of Rose Bruford College is not just an honor; it signals his standing within the British drama training establishment. It places him in a position to influence the next generation of actors.

The curiosity around his Harry Potter role illustrates a broader trend: a minor credit in a huge franchise can generate massive online interest. For fans of British television, his role on Coronation Street provides a strong link to other actors from that show, such as Shobna Gulati – Biography, TV Roles and 2025 Update.

What Do Official Sources Say About Ray Fearon?

To get the most reliable picture of his career, it is best to consult official or well-known biographical sources.

“Raymond Fearon is a British actor. He played garage mechanic Nathan Cooper on ITV’s long-running soap opera Coronation Street from 2005–2006.”

— Wikipedia

“Fearon is an award‑winning actor celebrated for his work on stage and screen. Ray Fearon was announced as Rose Bruford College’s President in June 2024.”

— Rose Bruford College profile

“His film work includes: Barbie, The Cleaner, Swede.”

— Oxford Playhouse profile

Ray Fearon: A Summary of a Stage and Screen Career

Ray Fearon is a versatile British actor whose career spans major stage productions, popular television, and blockbuster films. While he is best known to the public for Coronation Street and Harry Potter, his reputation in the industry is built on decades of theatre work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and other leading institutions. His current role as President of Rose Bruford College marks a new chapter in his contribution to British drama. For fans of the Harry Potter franchise, his story also connects to the career of another actor from the films, Miriam Margolyes – Biography, Harry Potter, and OBE Row.

Frequently Asked Questions