Tobey Maguire: “Spider-Man” star is 50 years old

Tobey Maguire celebrates its 50th birthday on June 27 – and remains inseparable to this day with his role as a “Spider -Man”. He fought personal challenges early on before becoming world famous as a superhero. A look at his career, his life behind the camera – and why he is more than just Peter Parker.

Tobias Vincent “Tobey” Maguire was born on June 27, 1975 in Santa Monica. His parents, Vincent Maguire and Wendy Brown, were only 20 and 18 years old at birth. When his father left the family only two years later, Tobey often moved with his single mother – an undisguised childhood that left traces: Maguire struggled to make close friendships and suffered from a lack of self -confidence. He also started consuming alcohol early on. At 19, however, he managed to overcome his addiction with the help of the “anonymous alcoholics”.

The school also lost importance for him: originally, Maguire wanted to be like his father, but his mother recognized his acting talent and offered him $ 100 if he took part in an acting course. A decision that changed his life forever.

He still broke the school after the ninth grade – his acting career picked up speed: Maguire stood for commercials and small supporting roles in front of the camera at the age of 13. In 1992 he received his first leading role in the series “Great Scott!”. A year later he played alongside Robert de Niro (81) and Leonardo DiCaprio (50) in “This Boy’s Life”. While DiCaprio celebrated his breakthrough with the film, Maguire continued to cut through with smaller roles. However, the two actors have been close friends since the 1980s.

In 1997 Tobey Maguire first came into the focus of the film “The Ice Storm” in the focus of large Hollywood directors – including Woody Allen (89), who a little later occupied him in “Harry except”. This was followed by further roles in films such as “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas”, “Pleasantville” and “God’s work and Teufel’s contribution”. But the big breakthrough was still a long time – until Maguire slipped into a spider suit.

In 2002 he took over the leading role in “Spider-Man” and thus celebrated his worldwide breakthrough. In the sequels of 2004 and 2007, he was again in front of the camera as Peter Parker – but not without incident: Director Sam Raimi (65) is said to have supposedly considered replacing Maguire, who had injured his back with Jake Gyllenhaal (44).

To date, “Spider -Man” is considered the most iconic role – even though he had never read the comics of the same name. “But this character was just so complex, and the enthusiasm of director Sam Raimi was so contagious that I just wanted to take part,” said Maguire later. He can also identify well with his cult role: “Spider-Man has to grow up and take responsibility for his life and actions. Peter Parker’s history also reminded me a bit of my own youth.” In 2021, Maguire surprised the fans with a comeback: In “Spider-Man: No Way Home” he performed again together with his “Spider-Man” colleagues Andrew Garfield (41) and Tom Holland (29).

Tobey Maguire celebrated his international breakthrough as a human superhero spider, but he was no longer able to build on this success in the following years. Since then he has since taken over roles in well -known Hollywood productions such as “The Great Gatsby” – again alongside his friend Leonardo DiCaprio – or in the biopic “Peasant victim – game of kings”, in which he embodies chess legend Bobby Fischer (1943-2008), but for many he seems to be one thing above all: Peter Parker.

In the past few years it has become quieter in front of the camera. However, the 50-year-old is by no means idle: in 2012 he founded his production company Material Pictures, with which he has been involved in several film projects since then.

There was also a lot going on privately in Maguire’s life. In 2003 he met the jewelry designer Jennifer Meyer (48), in 2007 the two married. Together they have two children: daughter Ruby Sweetheart (18) and son Otis Tobias (16). The spouses separated in 2016, and divorce followed four years later.

Nevertheless, the relationship has remained warm. Meyer, who has been engaged to the entrepreneur Geoffrey Ogunlesi since 2024, was very loving to her ex-husband in 2022: “This separation was the best experience of my life. I cannot explain it at all. I would literally do everything in the world for Tobey. He is my brother. I love him over everything and we have the most beautiful family.” It is not known whether Tobey Maguire is now in a new relationship. Even if there are rumors about a new woman at his side …