Edward Thomas Hardy CBE (born 15 September 1977) is an English actor and producer. He was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Most Promising Newcomer for his role as Skank in the production of In Arabia We'd All Be Kings (2003), and was awarded the 2003 Evening Standard Theatre Award for Outstanding Newcomer for his performances in both In Arabia We'd All Be Kings and for his role as Luca in Blood. He starred in the production of The Man of Mode (2007) and received positive reviews for his role in the play The Long Red Road (2010).
Hardy is active in charity work and is an ambassador for the Prince's Trust. He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2018 Birthday Honours for services to drama.
Hardy was born on 15 September 1977 in Hammersmith, London, the only child of artist and painter Anne (née Barrett) and novelist and comedy writer Edward "Chips" Hardy. His mother is of Irish descent. Hardy was brought up in East Sheen, London. He studied at Tower House School, Reed's School and Duff Miller Sixth Form College. He later studied at Richmond Drama School and the Drama Centre London, a part of Central Saint Martins. He has named Gary Oldman as his "hero", adding that he mirrored scenes from the actor while at drama school.