Former Soldier Reflects on Transition to Acting Career

A man who concluded 25 years of service in the Army to become a supporting actor in films states he has no regrets regarding his career transition. Nick Hayman, hailing from Weston-super-Mare, served with the Queen’s Company in London. His initial involvement in film production dates back to the 1990s, a period when real soldiers were often utilized as extras in various productions. Since that time, he has appeared alongside prominent actors such as Sir Anthony Hopkins, Harrison Ford, and Pierce Brosnan. Mr. Hayman expressed that his extensive military career was instrumental in enabling him “to now go off and do these fantastic, wonderful, interesting days filming on various productions.” Having grown up in Cleeve, Mr. Hayman attended Backwell School before enlisting in the Army at the age of 17. During an interview with BBC Radio Bristol, Mr. Hayman observed that film sets bore a striking resemblance to military environments. He remarked, “To me, it’s like being back in the military. You’re told what time to turn up, what to wear, what to do when you get there. The director is like the commanding officer, and it filters down the ranks to us,” he elaborated. Mr. Hayman’s inaugural film role was in Patriot Games, filmed in November 1991, during which he found himself in close proximity to the movie’s star, Harrison Ford. He recalled, “We did a dry rehearsal, no cameras, it was the first time I would be getting close to Harrison Ford.” He continued, “I came running up the road, with my fixed bayonet, and I had to stop, standing over him and he said to me ‘hey, I didn’t order a nose pick’.” Mr. Hayman mentioned that he ultimately delivered two lines in the film. He further explained, “I explained to the director there were rules of engagement, and to make the film more authentic… I would have to give a verbal warning before I started attacking with my bayonet,” he added. After completing a full career with the Grenadier Guards, Mr. Hayman departed the Army and began exploring opportunities with agencies that employ supporting artists. These roles included an appearance in His Dark Materials, where he portrayed a whaler battling a CGI polar bear. He has also featured in the James Bond film Golden Eye, Band of Brothers, and most recently, Disney’s Rivals. In 2017, he had another memorable encounter with a screen legend, Sir Anthony Hopkins, while shooting King Lear at Dover Castle. He recounted, “It would seem that every time I was having a crafty cigarette, Anthony Hopkins would arrive in his chauffer driven car.” He added, “He’d come over and have a chat, and I’m telling him I was ex-Grenadier Guards.” On the fourth day of filming, his character’s death necessitated three actors lifting him onto a trolley. Mr. Hayman overheard him state, “I need some extra support on my lower back when you’re lifting me, where’s that Grenadier guardsman, he is a big lad?” Mr. Hayman concluded, “I stepped forward and got a nod and a wink from an actor to come out of the crowd and carry Anthony Hopkins to a trolley.”