This 2000s Star, Who Long Struggled with Addiction, Stunned Fans in Recent Years — Photos

This star faced hardships from an early age and was expelled from school during his teenage years. He has since made a name for himself in the entertainment industry - not just for his skills, but also for his striking appearance, particularly in recent years.

This Irish actor is widely recognized for his role as Henry VIII in the historical drama series "The Tudors," which aired for four seasons from 2007 to 2010.

In addition to his impressive on-screen work, he has undergone a notable physical transformation in recent years. Here's a look at how he has changed over time.

1998 at age 21

2002 at age 25

2004 at age 27

2005 at age 28

2006 at age 29

2007 at age 30

2008 at age 31

2009 at age 32

2010 at age 33

2013 at age 36

2016 at age 39

At this point in his life, Actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers married Actress Mara Lane. She is best known for appearing in films such as "American Night" and "Ambush."

2017 at age 40

The following year, the news reports revealed that the former couple welcomed their first child, a son named Wolf Rhys Meyers, on December 15, 2016. Lane gave birth at home, with a midwife assisting the delivery.

In September 2017, Lane shared in a heartfelt Instagram post that she had experienced a miscarriage. In the post, she also discussed her then-husband's response to the heartbreaking news and opened up about his personal struggles during that time.

"With much sadness, we open our hearts to share that J and I lost our second child, who was baking in the oven. Child was very very much wanted (right now especially by J, so he took the news particularly not so well) [sic]," she penned.

She expressed that he had faced significant challenges, including depression from past abuse and a lifelong battle with alcoholism. Despite these hardships, he turned his pain into art and demonstrated remarkable strength. Lane admired her ex-spouse's ability to achieve success despite all he had been through, though she noted that progress often felt like two steps forward, one step back.

2018 at age 41

A year later, Meyers opened up about his addiction in an interview. When asked about his biggest disappointment, he replied, "Relapsing. I usually spend eight, nine, 10 months sober, then I'll spend a day relapsing and I get disappointed. But it never lasts too long. I get back up and try again."

In July 2018, Meyers made headlines after being detained by the police at Los Angeles's LAX airport for using an e-cigarette on a flight. Witnesses also reported that the actor had a drunken altercation with Lane.

Reflecting on the incident, Meyers explained, "[...] After eight months of sobriety, I decided to have a few drinks. My wife was upset at me, and I learned my lesson. I got off the aeroplane [sic], went straight back to my meetings and got sober immediately."

Expressing regret, he acknowledged that while he could say the right things, it was his actions that made the difference. The celebrity shared that he went home, apologized to his ex-wife, contacted the necessary people, and explained what had happened.

Meyers admitted that his responsibility was to avoid taking the first drink, and although he failed, he recognized his mistake and took steps to recover. The public figure also acknowledged that, at times, people make mistakes, but living life in the public eye adds another layer of difficulty.

Notably, the family man pointed out that, after 25 years as an actor, the world has changed significantly since he began his career, making it increasingly challenging to have any privacy.

He praised his beloved former wife, who publicly apologized for the incident on his behalf, for standing by him amid the challenging times, saying, "Oh, my wife is a superior woman. She's incredible. Yeah, incredible. I couldn't be luckier."

2019 at age 42

2023 at age 46

In recent years, his physical appearance has also drawn attention from online users. In February 2023, Meyers posted a video of himself with his son Wolf during an outing. He captioned it, "Thank you @CenterParcsIE for the stunt training and awesome time. Zip lining over the lake was pretty amazing."

Fans flooded Meyers' post with warm comments, expressing their admiration for the sweet moment between him and his child. One follower observed, "Hi Jonathan, you and Wolf are so sweet," while another commented, "Thks for sharing! @JRM_official! Both so adorable! Have a great time! Sending hugs and love! [sic]"

2024 at age 47

In addition to enjoying time with his son, Meyers, known for starring alongside Tom Cruise and Maggie Q in "Mission: Impossible III," continues to stay active in his acting career. The veteran actor's most recent projects include the action thriller titled "The Clean Up Crew," and the 2024 film "Operation Blood Hunt."

In recent years, Jonathan Rhys Meyers has shown resilience in both his personal and professional life. Despite facing significant challenges, he continues to evolve, balancing his acting career with fatherhood and personal growth.

Since then, Meyers' personal life has seen major changes. He and Lane separated in 2022, and in March 2026 he revealed he was expecting his second child — a son — with his new partner, an Irishwoman named Grace. The actor, now based on a farm in County Wexford, also shared that he had been sober for three years.

With upcoming film projects and a devoted fan base, Meyers remains a compelling figure in the entertainment world, captivating audiences with his talent and ongoing transformation.