The Crown’s Josh O’Connor reveals he was sacked as an altar boy as actor transforms into Catholic priest for new Netflix role

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Oh my god, you will NOT believe this about Josh! Apparently, he got fired from being an altar boy! Can you even imagine?! The reason? He was smiling too much! Seriously, too much joy while serving at the altar! It’s the most Josh O’Connor thing ever. He’s just naturally radiant, and they sacked him for it! I’m obsessed.

While preparing to play a Catholic priest in the new Netflix film, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, 35-year-old actor known for The Crown recalled a brief time he played a role in church as a child.

Josh explained on Late Night with Seth Meyers that his lighthearted approach led to him being fired from a job he felt he was exceptionally good at.

You know, looking back, my time as an altar boy was actually my first taste of performing! It sounds funny now, but I remember being constantly told off for smiling too much – apparently, I turned bright red whenever I did! It was a really early experience of being aware of myself ‘on stage,’ even if it was just in a church.

‘I think my mum said to the priest: ‘He’s smiling in the presence of the Lord’.

‘But I was smiling because I could see my brothers and it was funny.’

Josh had previously spoken about being an altar boy and losing his job in an interview with Vogue.

He described feeling embarrassed about his outfit while his brothers watched him. He admitted he was waving to them but likely wasn’t very polite or appreciative at the time.

‘That was probably those early signs of theatricality.’ 

He first gained recognition playing a young Prince Charles in the third season of the popular Netflix series, The Crown. He then appeared with Emma Corrin, who played Princess Diana, in the fourth season.

Josh is fast becoming one of Hollywood’s most sought-after leading men.

He became widely known after appearing in Challengers, where he played the role of Patrick, a confident and skilled tennis player.

He’s among a growing number of actors, like Paul Mescal, who’ve become well-known for playing complex and relatable male characters.

In an interview, Josh expressed a common frustration, stating, ‘I think we’re all still trying to understand what’s going on with men right now.’

His performance in the 2017 film God’s Own Country exemplifies this. As his character develops a romantic relationship, he becomes increasingly vulnerable, both emotionally and physically.

The film Mothering Sunday, a romantic drama, featured explicit nudity and intimate sexual scenes that garnered attention.

Josh said he feels at ease with those kinds of roles. He acknowledged that everyone has insecurities about their body, but he enjoys fully committing to portraying a character authentically.

The actor was previously rumored to be dating Alison Oliver, known for her role in Saltburn, after they were seen together in Italy.

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2025-12-20 05:06