Tom Hardy, the enigmatic and talented British actor, is as famous for his tattooed skin as he is for his riveting performances on screen. With a rugged charm and undeniable presence, Hardy has become a cultural icon, captivating audiences with his natural talent and intriguing personal style. The star of Venom , Legend , Bronson , and Mad Max: Fury Road has a commanding screen presence that has propelled him to the top of the Hollywood food chain and become one of the biggest stars in the world. Although he has yet to win an Academy Award, he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Revenant opposite Good Pal.Leonardo DiCaprio.

However, it is his love of tattoos that has further established him as a true individual, unafraid to wear his passions and experiences proudly on his body. This article aims to shed light on the best Tom Hardy tattoos and what they mean to the accomplished actor.

Hardy’s extensive collection of tattoos not only tells a story, but also reflects his complex personality and deep connection to the art form. Each piece serves as a visual testimony of his journey, revealing fragments of his past, present, and aspirations for the future. From intricate designs to meaningful symbols, his body serves as his canvas, portraying a visual autobiography that is as captivating as the characters he brings to life on screen.

In a world where conformity often reigns, Hardy stands out and embraces her tattoos as a form of self-expression and celebration of her unique identity. It is through these artistic markings that he communicates his personal passions, beliefs and experiences, making each tattoo an intimate and meaningful statement. Whether an ode to a loved one, a tribute to a role he played, or a depiction of his own struggles and triumphs, Hardy’s tattoos serve as a constant reminder of his individuality and the profound impact they have had. in his life.

In this introduction, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of Tom Hardy’s tattoos, exploring the stories behind some of his most iconic pieces and the importance they play in shaping his public and private persona.

1. Leprechaun Tattoo

The first tattoo Tom Hardy got was that of a leprechaun when he was only 15 years old. Inked on his right arm, the tattoo is said to be a tribute to his Irish heritage, as his mother was born on the Emerald Isle. It’s believed to bring good fortune, but Hardy obviously didn’t feel like it was working as he covered the tattoo in a large tribal design.

2. Tribal Tattoo

The tribal tattoo that Hardy sports on his right arm is quite large and nothing special. It is the type of tattoo that you see people get in Bali for cheap. There’s no word on why he got the ink, but it certainly adds to his tough-guy personality and is much better than the leprechaun tattoo it covers.

3. “Fierce Father” Tattoo

Inked near the left side of his clavicle is the Italian phrase “padre Fiero,” which translates to “proud father.” Hardy has a son with his ex-wife Sarah Ward and a son and daughter with his current wife Charlotte Riley. Family is something he appreciates and likes to keep private.

4. Dragon Tattoo

Tom Hardy has a lot of bad tattoos, something he freely admits, but one tattoo he has that is pretty impressive is the large dragon on his left bicep. It is rumored that he got the tattoo as a dedication to his ex-wife Sarah Ward, who was born in the year of the dragon.

The two met in the ’90s and got married in 1999, but divorced just five years later. Hardy then met assistant director Rachael Speed ​​in 2005, and the two split in 2009. It was then that Hardy met his current wife, Charlotte Riley, while she was on the set of Wuthering Heights .

5. London Skyline Tattoo

Born and raised in West London, Hardy paid tribute to the city with a tattoo of the London skyline. He is located on her left arm under another major tattoo which you can read more about below.

6. Madonna cradling a baby tattoo

No, not the “virgin-like Madonna but the Catholic Madonna. This tattoo of Madonna holding a baby is on Hardy’s right arm, and as he told The Sun , “That was about being a mother for me. I’ve been through a lot leaving home and becoming a father and growing up to be my own mother.”

7. Scorpion Tattoo

On his back, Hardy has a small tattoo of a scorpion. Found on the left side of his back near his shoulder, this is another piece that he hasn’t talked about in public, although there are many different meanings behind the scorpion. In Native American culture, the insect is considered a warning sign or a symbol of change while in Africa it represents death.

8. “Until I die SW” tattoo

You wouldn’t pick him as the emotional type, but Hardy is a big softie at heart. So much so that he has several tattoos of his ex-partners on his body. In addition to the dragon tattoo dedicated to Sarah Ward, Hardy also has “Til I Die SW” on his stomach, “SW” being Ward’s initials.

9. “Leo knows everything” tattoo

Tom Hardy and Leonardo DiCaprio shared the screen for the first time in Inception (2010), Christopher Nolan’s amazing film. Five years later they hooked up again for The Revenant, the film that ultimately earned DiCaprio an Oscar.

While filming the movie, DiCaprio told Hardy that he would get an Oscar nomination, something the Venom star didn’t believe. Then the two made a bet; if Leo was right and nominated, Hardy had to get a tattoo of DiCaprio’s choice, and vice versa.

As we know, Hardy got the Oscar nomination and was forced to get “Leo Knows All” tattooed on his right arm. Hardy was pretty sure DiCaprio wouldn’t have gotten a tattoo if he lost his best.

“I would never get a tattoo if I lost that bet!” Hardy said of DiCaprio in an interview with Vanity Fair . “It was just one way. I’m covered in shitty tattoos anyway, so it doesn’t make any difference to me. If I have a big bold ‘Leo’ right on my thigh or on my face. It’s just that, isn’t it? You bet a tattoo, you lose. That is what happens.”

10. Wolf Tattoo

Another of Hardy’s more artistic tattoos is the wolf’s head on the inside of his left forearm. Inspired by his time on the set of The Revenant , Hardy told The Sun , “He’s a wolf, a raven, and a sacred heart. So my heart is on my sleeve. The raven and the wolf are important animals to me.”

11. “Charlotte” Tattoo

Considering he has tattoos dedicated to past lovers, it’s no surprise that Hardy has several referencing his current wife, Charlotte Riley. Written on his left shoulder is her name “Charlotte”, an obvious sign of her affection for her mother. Such a sweet guy.

12. Star Tattoo

Another ex takes a look, with the star Hardy having a tribute to Rachel Speed ​​and her unborn child tattooed on his left shoulder.

13. Raven Tattoo

On his left pectoral, Hardy has the silhouette of a raven tattooed on his body. The tattoo is said to represent two of the biggest movies of his career: The Dark Knight Rises and Mad Max: Fury Road . As anyone who has followed Hardy’s career knows, these two movies helped make him a huge star in the movie business.

14. Charlotte Riley Portrait Tattoo

Every time he takes off his shirt, Hardy reveals the extent of his ink. One of his most notable tattoos is a portrait of his wife, Charlotte Riely, inked on the left side of her back. This is just one of the many tattoos Hardy has that refer to the ladies who have impacted his life in some way during the journey.

15. Tattoo “1338046”

This number on the upper chest is an official Marine Corps number. No, Hardy didn’t join the Marines (although he did play a Ranger in Black Hawk Down), but the number is that of a soldier who died fighting who happened to be the father of one of his good friends. He put the ink on his right bicep as a way of honoring the father of his good mate.

16. “LINDY King” Tattoo

It’s not just his ex-girlfriends that Hardy has tattooed on his body. He also has her agent, Lindy King, tattooed on her left arm. Hardy is believed to have told him that if she got him in Hollywood, he would tattoo her name on her skin. Having moved on after losing his bet with Leo, it’s no wonder Hardy got a “LINDY King” tattoo.

17. Comedy and tragedy masks

The symbols of the ancient Greek muses, Thalia and Melpomene, these famous masks were used to display the two main emotions during Greek plays, comedy and tragedy. When performers used either one, the audience understood the emotions of the characters and could follow the story.

Hardy has never discussed why he got the tattoo, but it’s most likely related to his acting career. He also has “Smile Now” written over the comedy mask and “Cry Later” inked over the tragedy mask.

18. Cross Tattoos

On his right shoulder, Hardy has three individual crosses tattooed on his body. Each one is a different size and may be related to his faith or it could have been one of those drunken tattoos you get when you dare, which is certainly something Hardy is known for.

19. Tattoo “My Beautiful Son”

A true family man at heart, Hardy has the expression “Figlio Mio Bellissimo” tattooed below the tribal tattoo on his right arm. When translated from Italian to English, he says “my beautiful son,” meaning the tattoo is a tribute to Hardy’s son. The only question is which son? We like to think that he loves both of them equally and the tattoo represents both of them.

20. British Flag Tattoo

Hardy is more patriotic than you think. So much so that he got the Union Jack flag tattooed on his left bicep. The funny thing about this tattoo is that Hardy got it in Canada. Tattoo artist Bryan Glatiotis of the Dark Day Tattoo is the man who completed the tattoo.

21. Feather Tattoo

Another seemingly random piece of ink, Hardy’s feather tattoo is on his right arm and is accompanied by the word “Script.” This is believed to be another tribute tattoo, this time to his friend, screenwriter Kelly Marcell, who worked with Hardy on Venom and Venom: Let There Be Carnage . She is also involved in the writing of Venom 3 and someone who has a great professional relationship with the actor.

22. Smoking Skull in a Top Hat

There is no information about this tattoo that can be found on Hardy’s left forearm. That being said, it is a very cool looking piece that features a skull smoker in a top hat. Just below the ink, Hardy has another bird tattoo, which also doesn’t seem to have any meaning. The boy likes to tattoo skulls and birds on his body.

23. Playing Cards Tattoo

Here is another random tattoo that Hardy has on his body, this is a playing card. It doesn’t appear to have a particular number or suit and is on the right side of his stomach. Playing cards is considered by many to be good luck charms, so there is a chance that Hardy will get the ink when he needs the cards to get on with his path in life.

24. Flying Bird Tattoo

Another tattoo, another bird. On his right shoulder, Hardy has a pair of small flying birds. This common tattoo represents freedom and independence and is great with youth.

25. “II O&R” Tattoo

This small tattoo is on Venom’s right shoulder and is hidden within his tribal tattoo. “II Q&R” is said to stand for the phrase “Observe and Reflect,” which Body Art Guru claims to be Hardy’s life mantra. There are certainly worse words to live by.

26. “L” and “H” Tattoos

The letters “L” and “H” are the initials of Hardy’s son, Louis Thomas Hardy, who is also his eldest child and had with his former partner Rachel Speed. This is a tattoo dedicated to him.

27. Max Tattoo

As any Hardy fan knows, the actor is a huge dog lover. So much so that he got a tattoo of his late dog Mad Max inked on his body. The Staffie-Labrador was his constant companion for 17 years and helped him overcome many difficulties.

“I wouldn’t go to class unless Max could get in,” Hardy said while reported by I Heart Dogs . “My old drama teacher said, ‘I remember walking into class with your dog in one hand and a can of Coca-Cola in the other.’ Max was my support unit, it’s like he had a focus; He had a higher identity and self-esteem because something trusted me and loved me constantly. So I felt important.”

28. W tattoos

This is another little tattoo that Hardy got yelling at his ex Sarah Ward. The man really likes to tattoo the name of his partner on his body.