Eugene Simon
Eugene Simon – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes
Discover the life and career of Eugene Simon, the English actor known for Game of Thrones and House of Anubis. Explore his early life, acting journey, personality, and most memorable quotes.
Introduction
Eugene Michael Simon (born 11 June 1992) is an English actor whose work has captured the attention of global audiences. Best known for his portrayal of Lancel Lannister in Game of Thrones and Jerome Clarke in the Nickelodeon series House of Anubis, Simon has steadily carved a reputation for versatility, depth, and creative ambition.
In today’s entertainment landscape, where many actors are pigeonholed into types, Eugene Simon stands out by seeking complexity—both in character and career direction. His journey from child actor to a performer unafraid to take risks makes his story rich terrain for any fan or student of acting.
Early Life and Family
Eugene Simon was born in Westminster, London, England, to Anton Simon (deceased 2017) and Teresa (née Stopford) Simon. Charles (born 1987), a younger sister Fleur, and another brother Harry.
From a young age, Simon showed a strong memory and expressive interest in storytelling, traits that eventually lent themselves to performance. His mother signed him up with an acting agency around age eight, noticing his energy and aptitude for roles.
He attended preparatory schooling at St Philip’s Catholic School in London before moving on to boarding schools: Downside School in Somerset and Bryanston School in Dorset.
Youth and Education
Simon’s formal schooling ran in parallel with early acting assignments. Even while at Downside and Bryanston, he took on commercials and smaller roles.
As a youth actor, he appeared in My Family and Other Animals as Gerald Durrell and portrayed a young Giacomo Casanova in Casanova (2005).
According to his IMDb profile, he joined the child talent agency Abacus at age eight, which marked a turning point—opening doors to stage work (e.g. Exiles, where he played “Archie”) and screen roles.
He also picked up additional skills relevant to period and fantasy acting— sword-fighting, horse-riding, and charioteering.
Even as his career progressed, Simon emphasized learning by doing. He once remarked,
“The only way you learn is by doing. You learn through deed, so that’s kind of my aspiration for the time being.”
Career and Achievements
Early Screen Roles
Simon’s first television credit was in My Dad’s the Prime Minister (2003), where he played Harry. Murder in Suburbia, Noah & Saskia, and Ben Hur as the young Judah Ben Hur.
Breakthrough: House of Anubis & Game of Thrones
In 2011, on his eighteenth birthday, Simon learned he had been cast simultaneously in two roles: Jerome Clarke in House of Anubis (Nickelodeon) and Lancel Lannister in Game of Thrones. Anubis through 2013, becoming a familiar face to younger audiences.
As Lancel Lannister, his journey had dramatic shifts. Initially a squire, Lancel evolves into a conflicted agent of the Faith Militant. Simon’s portrayal spanned multiple seasons (2011–2012, then in later seasons 2015–2016).
He has commented on the sensory intensity of GOT sets:
“The smells are very strong on ‘Game of Thrones’: … the incense, the fire, the heat … there are so many sensory memories of it, which will never leave me.”
He’s also noted his fascination with complicated characters:
“I am interested in complex characters who are difficult and have numerous sides.”
Film and Stage
Beyond television, Simon has appeared in films such as Before I Sleep (2013, young Eugene Devlin), Eden (2015), The Lodgers (2017), and Kill Ben Lyk (2018).
On stage, he has performed in productions such as For King and Country at Southwark Playhouse (2018) and A Room with a View (2019).
He has also led acting workshops (e.g. in Valletta, Malta) and spoken publicly about issues such as mental health and suicide prevention.
Awards & Recognition
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In 2018, he won Best Actor at the Nightmare Film Festival for Kill Ben Lyk.
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In 2020, he earned the Best Actor award at the Love Story Film Festival for the short Love Have I Known.
While Simon isn’t known for blockbuster earnings or tabloid fame, his trajectory has been one of steady growth, selective roles, and increasing critical respect.
Historical Milestones & Context
Simon’s rise intersects with a broader era in television: the coming-of-age of blockbuster serialized fantasy (Game of Thrones) and elevated youth-targeted mystery dramas (House of Anubis). His career launch in 2011 placed him at the cusp of the “golden age of TV,” where actors could reach global audiences via streaming and international syndication.
His training in classical dramatics, action disciplines, and multilingual capability (he speaks French and Spanish) positioned him well for diverse roles in an increasingly global media environment.
As GOT reshaped the fantasy genre, Simon was part of a wave of young actors whose careers were amplified by the show's cult and mainstream success.
Legacy and Influence
Though still relatively young, Eugene Simon is building a legacy of thoughtful role choices and personal advocacy. He has expressed a desire to continue pushing boundaries, not to settle for safe parts.
In fan communities, he is often celebrated for bringing emotional nuance to challenging roles—particularly Lancel, whose character arcs range from conflicted youth to zealot to tragic figure. His willingness to step into morally ambiguous characters gives him a resonance beyond standard hero/antihero molds.
In terms of influence, Simon models a career path for emerging actors: balancing television and theatre, using workshops to teach, and engaging public conversation around mental health. In doing so, he cultivates both craft and conscience.
Personality and Talents
Simon describes himself as “a strange creature,” in part because he seeks unpredictability in his work.
He is curious, energetic, and open about vulnerability. In interviews, he’s candid about mistakes, about the pressure of visibility, and about wanting to continuously stretch as an actor.
He also has some whimsical quirks: for instance, he once admitted,
“I have an obsession with ketchup! I have it with everything.”
His work ethic and openness to risk suggest that he sees acting not just as performance, but as lifelong exploration.
Famous Quotes of Eugene Simon
Here are some memorable statements and reflections by Eugene Simon, which shed light on his mindset:
“I don’t think any evil character thinks that they are evil — they think they have insight that people don’t.” “The only way you learn is by doing. You learn through deed, so that’s kind of my aspiration for the time being.” “The smells are very strong on ‘Game of Thrones’: … there are so many sensory memories of it, which will never leave me.” “I am interested in complex characters who are difficult and have numerous sides. But I would love to do a comedy role — something maybe ‘Monty Python’-esque.” “I’d be lying to you if I said at 8 I went up to my parents and said, ‘Listen, I’m going to become an actor.’ That was not the case.” “I have an obsession with ketchup! I have it with everything.” “I am a strange creature. I want to challenge myself and keep people guessing with the roles I take.”
These quotes reflect not only his approach to acting but also his self-awareness and ambition to evolve as an artist.
Lessons from Eugene Simon
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Growth through action
Simon’s philosophy—learning by doing—underscores the value of practical experience over waiting for the perfect job or moment. -
Embrace complexity
Rather than choosing safe, one-dimensional roles, he gravitates toward characters with emotional layers and moral ambiguity. -
Balance artistry and responsibility
His public advocacy on mental health shows a willingness to use one’s platform with care, not just performance. -
Never stop expanding
From roles in television, film, stage, to workshops and public discourse, Simon models continuous expansion, not stagnation. -
Authenticity matters
Despite fame, he speaks openly about fears, identity, and personal quirks—a reminder that sincerity often resonates more than polish.
Conclusion
Eugene Simon’s journey—from child actor to a thoughtful adult performer—is a compelling narrative of growth, courage, and integrity. He stands as a figure who balances ambition with introspection, craft with conscience.
If you're inspired by his story, take away this call to action: be bold in your choices, honest in your voice, and relentless in your pursuit of growth. And if you enjoy such profiles, I’d love to help you explore more quotes, interviews, or deep dives into other actors or authors—just say the word.