Simon Baker
Simon Lucas Baker (born 30 July 1969) is an Australian actor and director. He is best known for his role as Patrick Jane in the CBS drama series The Mentalist (2008–2015), for which he received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series nomination.
For other people named Simon Baker, see Simon Baker (disambiguation).
Simon Baker
Early life[edit]
Baker was born in Launceston, Tasmania. His father, Barry, was a mechanic and school caretaker, and his mother, Elizabeth, was a high school English teacher.[2][4] He has an older sister, two half-brothers and a half-sister.[5] Baker's family moved to New Guinea when Baker was nine months old. His parents' marriage ended when he was two and his father did not get in touch until Baker was an adult.[2][3] His mother remarried to Tom Denny, a butcher, but Baker did not get on well with his stepfather.[2] His mother and stepfather later divorced.[1]
Baker spent part of his childhood living in the suburbs of Sydney[6][7] but he mainly grew up in the Northern Rivers coastal town of Lennox Head, New South Wales.[2] He attended high school at Ballina High School and Trinity Catholic College.[8] Baker has been an avid surfer since his youth and he considers surfing and the relationships with his surfing friends an important part of his upbringing.[2]
Honours[edit]
In June 2012, Baker was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences along with 175 other individuals.[12]
On 14 February 2013, Baker was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contribution to the entertainment industry. Baker's star can be found at 6352 Hollywood Blvd.[13]
Personal life[edit]
On 2 October 1998, Baker married Australian actress Rebecca Rigg after five years of living together.[9] Baker told The Ellen Degeneres Show that one of their two weddings was held on the beach at Carmel.[14] They have a daughter, Stella, and two sons.[10] Baker and Rigg separated in April 2020.[15]
In July 2009, Baker told PopMatters that he was raised Catholic, but is now agnostic.[5]
