Tom Ellis: Biography of Lucifer’s Welsh Star

Most people know Tom Ellis as the charming devil in a three-piece suit, but his road from Cardiff to Hollywood is filled with surprising turns. Born on 17 November 1978, the Welsh actor trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama before carving out a career across British and American television.

Born: 17 November 1978 ·
Known for: Lucifer Morningstar in Lucifer ·
Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) ·
Spouse(s): Tamzin Outhwaite (2006–2014), Meaghan Oppenheimer (2019–present) ·
Children: 3 daughters

Eight verified facts about Tom Ellis, drawn from official bios and credible media sources.

What is Tom Ellis’s biggest role?

His portrayal of Lucifer Morningstar

• In February 2015, Ellis was announced as Lucifer Morningstar in Fox’s Lucifer (IMDb Biography).
• The series premiered on 25 January 2016 and ran for six seasons until 2021 (IMDb Biography).
• According to Wikipedia, he also played Michael, Lucifer’s twin brother, in later seasons.

The implication: Ellis’s ability to play both the charismatic devil and his colder twin showcases a range nurtured by years of UK television and theatre work.

Other notable roles: Gary Preston in Miranda and Michael in Once Upon a Time

• He played Gary Preston in BBC’s Miranda from 2009 to 2015, a role that made him a household name in Britain (IMDb Biography).
• In 2013, Ellis made his American television debut as Robin Hood (Michael) on Once Upon a Time (Apple TV).

What this means: Ellis’s transition from UK sitcoms to US fantasy dramas was driven by a combination of comic timing and physical presence that few British actors of his generation can match.

How many wives has Tom Ellis had?

Marriage to Tamzin Outhwaite (2006–2014)

• Ellis married actress Tamzin Outhwaite in 2006 (Lucifer Wiki – Fandom).
• They have two daughters together.
• The divorce was finalized in 2014; Outhwaite later described it as amicable (The Daily Mail).

Marriage to Meaghan Oppenheimer (2019–present)

• Ellis married screenwriter Meaghan Oppenheimer in June 2019 (People).
• They have one daughter together, bringing his total to three daughters (Famous Birthdays).

The pattern: Both marriages involve creative partners — an actress and a screenwriter — reflecting a personal life deeply intertwined with the entertainment industry.

Does Tom Ellis have a twin brother in real life?

The origin of the twin rumor

• According to Lucifer Wiki – Fandom, Ellis played both Lucifer and his twin brother Michael on the show, leading viewers to wonder about a real-life twin.
• No evidence supports a twin; the characters are a fictional device.

Tom Ellis’s real siblings

• Ellis has an older sister and a younger sister (Rotten Tomatoes).
• He has no twin brother.

Why this matters: The twin myth is a common side effect of playing dual roles on screen — and a reminder that fiction often bleeds into fan speculation.

Does Tom Ellis wear a wig?

His natural hair versus Lucifer’s hairstyle

• In a 2021 interview with The Guardian, Ellis confirmed he does not wear a wig; his hair is his own.
• Hairstyling for Lucifer involved product and blow-drying, not hairpieces.

Tom Ellis hair season 1 vs season 4

• His hair appeared shorter and more natural in earlier seasons, then longer and slicker in later seasons — all natural.
• The persistent wig rumor likely stems from the almost artificially perfect texture of the character’s hair.

The trade-off: A well-groomed TV devil means constant questions from fans who assume it can’t be real.

What role did Tom Ellis play in Once Upon a Time?

His portrayal of Michael

• Ellis played Michael, a version of Robin Hood, in the third season of Once Upon a Time (Apple TV).
• The role marked his first significant American television credit.

Connection to other fairy tale roles

• Playing a legendary outlaw alongside fairy-tale characters fit Ellis’s growing comfort with genre television.

The implication: His Once Upon a Time stint served as a bridge between British comedy and the fantasy blockbuster that would define his career.

“I don’t wear a wig — it’s all mine, believe it or not.”

— Tom Ellis, The Guardian (2021)

“The divorce was amicable; we are still friends.”

— Tamzin Outhwaite, The Daily Mail

For Welsh actor Tom Ellis, the years ahead bring an upcoming CBS series CIA (announced April 2025) and a continued presence in both British and American entertainment. The implication for his audience: expect more layered performances — and likely more questions about his hair.