Tom Hardy has become a major Hollywood star over the last decade, but he has a supporting role in a 2006 historical drama that many fans might not know about. Hardy has become a big name thanks to lead roles in movies like the Marvel Comics adaptation of Venom and the action thriller Mad Max: Fury Road.

Before his role as a leading man, Tom Hardy made his name as a scene-stealing supporting star in most of his movies. He did this in big franchise turns, such as Hardy’s supporting role in Star Trek: Nemesis but he also had smaller roles in films for directors as varied as Tomas Alfredson, Christopher Nolan, and Guy Ritchie.

However, while many of Tom Hardy’s movie roles have been in action films, he also has some impressive dramatic work in his past. This includes a 2006 historical costume drama by Sofia Coppola that offers one of the actor’s most impressive performances.

Tom Hardy Has A Supporting Part In Marie Antoinette

When many fans think about Tom Hardy’s movie roles, they think of unhinged, rough-around-the-edges characters. However, in the Sofia Coppola movie Marie Antoinette, Hardy turned in a very different performance. Hardy played the character of Raumont in the period costume drama about the ill-fated Queen of France.

He has a small role in the film. He appears in a scene at a party where he plays a guessing game while Marie and Count Fersen are flirting with each other. Later, he appears in another scene where he shows his disapproval of her interest in the count. Of course, the film leads to the Queen’s execution.

This is a minimal role, but it is notable as Hardy showed great poise and arrogance in his part as the aristocrat. It also should come as no surprise. Hardy has shown great talent in other historical dramas such as The Virgin Queen and Wuthering Heights, where he plays Heathcliff in the ITV adaptation of the story.

Tom Hardy Has Made A Career Out Of Scene-Stealing Supporting Roles

Tom Hardy has proven to be a great actor, even when he appears in more minor roles that fans often overlook. In one of the best films based on a John le Carré novel, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy had an all-star cast, yet Hardy stole every scene he was in by appearing as Ricki Tarr, a field agent in hiding.

Alongside heavyweights like Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, and John Hurt, Tom Hardy more than held his own in the film and remains a memorable character in a brilliant spy story. He did the same thing in movies for Guy Ritchie, with outstanding performances in Layer Cake and RocknRolla.

Tom Hardy will remain known for his bigger roles, such as in blockbusters like The Dark Knight and Venom, and his starring roles in Warrior and Bronson. However, his supporting roles in movies like Dunkirk and The Revenant also prove he can deliver, regardless of the size of his part.