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Stephen Amell
Stephen Amell
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Stephen Adam Amell[1] (born May 8, 1981) is a Canadian actor. He came to prominence for playing the lead role of Oliver Queen on the CW superhero series Arrow (2012–2020), based on DC Comics. Amell also appeared in subsequent Arrowverse franchise media, along with reprising his role in various video games. Following the conclusion of Arrow, Amell landed the lead roles in both the Starz drama series Heels (2021–2023), and Suits LA, the sequel to Suits.

Key Information

Outside of television, Amell portrayed Casey Jones in the superhero film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016). He co-produced and starred in Code 8 and its sequel Code 8: Part II with his cousin Robbie Amell. He has also made a number of appearances in the professional wrestling circuit.

Early life

[edit]

Stephen Adam Amell was born on May 8, 1981,[2] in Toronto, Ontario, the son of Sandra Anne (née Bolté) and Thomas J. Amell.[3][4] He is a first cousin of actor Robbie Amell.[5] He attended St. Andrew's College, a private independent school for boys, and graduated in 2000.[6]

Acting career

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2004–2012: Early career

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Amell appeared in two episodes of the fourth season of Queer as Folk as the Liberty Ride spinning instructor in 2004. Amell played Adam in the first season of the television series Dante's Cove; he was replaced in the second season by Jon Fleming. In 2007, Amell won a Gemini Award for his guest-starring role on ReGenesis.[7] The same year he was also nominated for a Gemini Award in the Best Ensemble Cast Category for Rent-a-Goalie.[8] He had recurring roles in the TV series Da Kink in My Hair and Heartland. On December 3, 2010, Amell joined the cast of The Vampire Diaries as werewolf 'Brady' for season 2.[9] Amell starred as the real life convicted killer Joran van der Sloot in the Lifetime film Justice for Natalee Holloway which originally aired in May 2011.[10]

On October 2, 2011, season 3 of HBO's series Hung premiered with Amell starring as busboy-turned-prostitute Jason, a younger rival "ho" to Thomas Jane's Ray Drecker.[7] He also appeared as Jim in the fourth season of 90210.[11] Amell announced on October 28, 2011, that he had just finished filming the Christmas episode of New Girl with Zooey Deschanel and Max Greenfield. He touches on the experience of filming his first "network half-hour comedy" in an interview with Daemon's TV.[11] On November 9, 2011, Amell was announced for the recurring role of Scottie, a paramedic on ABC's Private Practice.[12] He also played the role of Travis McKenna in Blue Mountain State.

2012–2020: Arrow

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Amell on the set of Arrow in September 2014

In January 2012, Amell was cast as Oliver Queen in The CW series Arrow, based on the DC Comics superhero of the same name.[10] This series and role led to Amell appearing as the character on other superhero series on the network as part of the growing Arrowverse, including The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, Supergirl, and Batwoman, as well as the CW Seed webseries Vixen.

Amell co-starred in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (released on June 3, 2016) as vigilante "Casey Jones".[13] Amell announced in May 2017 that he would be participating on a special celebrity edition of American Ninja Warrior.[14] Amell demonstrated great physical abilities which was reflective of his athleticism in his portrayal of Oliver Queen.[15] In 2017, he took part in the directorial debut of former Heartland co-star Michelle Morgan, a short film entitled Mi Madre, My Father, playing the estranged father of a six-year-old girl. Morgan raised funds for the production through a crowdfunding campaign.[16] The film premiered at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.[17]

In March 2019, Amell announced the end of Arrow with its eighth and final season, which premiered in October 2019 and concluded in January 2020.[18]

2020–present: Post-Arrow

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His first post-Arrow project was announced in August 2019 as Heels, a Starz drama series set in the world of independent professional wrestling.[19] In December of the same year, it was announced that short-form streaming platform Quibi were developing a spin-off series starring Amell and his cousin Robbie Amell, developed from their crowd-funded film Code 8.[20] In September 2023, Heels was canceled after two seasons.[21] In February 2024, Stephen Amell was cast as Ted Black in the upcoming NBC pilot Suits LA, based on the USA Network original series Suits.[22] On July 19, 2024, Suits LA has ordered to series by NBC.[23]

Amell has also been announced as playing Henry Roland, a police officer, in the forthcoming Crave crime drama series The Borderline.[24]

Professional wrestling career

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WWE (2015)

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As an avid professional wrestling fan,[25] Amell campaigned for a guest appearance on WWE's weekly Raw program.[26]

In May 2015, it was reported that he was set to wrestle Stardust (Cody Rhodes) at WWE's SummerSlam pay-per-view in August.[25] Amell made his first WWE appearance on the May 25 episode of Raw, where he had a confrontation with Stardust.[27] Amell returned to Raw in early August; after being assaulted in the audience by Stardust, Amell got into the ring to attack him until being contained by security. Following a backstage segment with Triple H, it was announced that Neville would team with Amell to face Stardust and King Barrett at SummerSlam.[28]

At the event on August 23, 2015, Amell and Neville defeated Barrett and Stardust in a tag team match. Amell participated in the wrestling, and, behind the scenes, wrestlers were said to have been impressed with Amell's performance.[29][30] Amell became friends with Rhodes, with whom he later also worked on Arrow.[31]

On December 21, 2015, Amell was awarded a Slammy for the "Celebrity Moment of the Year" for his dive onto Stardust during the match.[32]

Ring of Honor (2017)

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Amell returned to professional wrestling for Ring of Honor on November 17, 2017, at Survival of the Fittest.[33] On the day of the show, Amell joined the Bullet Club faction, and teamed with Cody Rhodes, Kenny Omega, and The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) in a five-on-four tag team match. They defeated The Addiction (Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian), Flip Gordon, and Scorpio Sky, and Amell again participated in the wrestling, including being put through a table by The Addiction.[34]

All In (2018)

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On August 6, 2018, it was announced that Amell would be competing at All In, in his first-ever singles match, where he was defeated by Christopher Daniels.[35]

All Elite Wrestling (2020)

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On February 29, 2020, Amell made an appearance at All Elite Wrestling's Revolution, where he accompanied Cody Rhodes alongside Rhodes' Nightmare Family for his match against MJF.[36]

Philanthropy

[edit]

Amell has hosted a number of successful fundraising campaigns via the crowd funded merchandise platform Represent.com.[37] In 2014, Amell partnered with the charity Fuck Cancer to raise almost a million dollars with the release of a T-shirt featuring his face on the front (with a Post-it note on his forehead and featuring the organization's name). He ended up selling over 60,000 shirts from this campaign.[38][39] In January 2015, Amell launched his second Represent.com campaign featuring a word he made up, Sinceriously, to benefit two mental health charities: Paws and Stripes and Stand For The Silent.[39] In August 2015, Amell used his guest appearance on WWE Raw with Stardust to raise funds via his third campaign for children's hospice Emily's House in Toronto. The campaign raised $300,000, and Amell and Stardust presented a cheque together at Emily's House.[40] During the Red Nose Day special of American Ninja Warrior, Amell donated $35,000 for completing all six obstacles, and an extra obstacle, the Salmon Ladder.[41]

Personal life

[edit]

Amell married his first wife, fellow Canadian Carolyn Lawrence, on December 8, 2007, in Toronto.[42] The couple divorced in 2010.[43] Amell married actress and model Cassandra Jean on December 25, 2012, in a private ceremony in the Caribbean,[44] and for a second time in New Orleans on May 26, 2013.[45] The couple have a daughter who was born on October 15, 2013. They have a son, born May 13, 2022.[46]

Controversies

[edit]

Amell's statements and behavior have occasionally drawn controversy. In September 2015, after a Muslim student was arrested for bringing a disassembled digital clock to his high school in Irving, Texas, Amell tweeted, "Stereotyping Texas isn't any better than stereotyping Ahmed".[47] The post drew criticism online, prompting Amell to take a break from social media.[48][49][50]

In 2018, Amell tweeted "my âpölògīés"[51] in response to criticism about his failure to use the acute accent while tweeting singer Beyoncé's name.[52][53] After he was accused by online commenters of disrespecting black names, he said he had omitted the accent while being "lazy in the midst of a mediocre joke".[54]

In 2020, during the Black Lives Matter protests, Amell was criticized by comic book writer Tee Franklin and others for saying that racism is a systemic problem but that he had not personally "seen it in action".[55]

In 2021, Amell was asked to leave a Delta Air Lines flight traveling from Austin to Los Angeles for yelling at his wife.[56] He later said he was intoxicated at the time.[57][58]

In July 2023, Amell was criticized for comments he made at a fan convention regarding the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. While he expressed support for SAG-AFTRA as his union, he called striking a "reductive negotiating tactic" and "myopic" and seemed to criticize that the strike banned him from promoting the second season of Heels.[59][60] He later clarified his opinion, saying that while he does not like striking, he "[understands] fundamentally why we're here" and stated that his support for the union was unconditional and that he stood with them.[61] Amell did not attend the Arrow cast reunion on the picket line outside the Warner Bros. studio lot in Burbank, California, as he was in New York City at the time, but on the day of the reunion, he was photographed on the picket line in front of the Warner Bros. Discovery offices in New York and reportedly sent his regards to his former showrunners in California. Marc Guggenheim, executive producer of Arrow and organizer of the revival, interpreted his attendance in New York as a symbolic stand in solidarity.[62][63]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2007 The Tracey Fragments Detective
Closing the Ring Teddy Gordon
2009 Screamers: The Hunting Guy Direct-to-video
2011 Stay with Me Travis Short film
2016 Code 8 Drone Operator #1 Voice; short film; also producer
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows Casey Jones
2018 Mi Madre, My Father Hal Nelson Short film[17]
2019 Code 8 Garrett Kelton Also producer
2024 Calamity Jane Wild Bill Hickok [64]
Code 8: Part II Garrett Kelton Also producer
2025 Little Lorraine Jimmy

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2004 Queer as Folk Spinning Instructor 2 episodes
Degrassi: The Next Generation Doorman Episode: "Ghost in the Machine: Part 2"
2005 Missing Ian Harrington Episode: "Paper Anniversary"
Tilt Bellboy Episode: "Rivered"
Beautiful People Jason 5 episodes
Dante's Cove Adam 2 episodes
2006 The House Next Door Buddy Harrelson Television film
2006–2008 Rent-a-Goalie Billy Main role
2007 ReGenesis Craig Riddlemeyer 2 episodes
2007–2009 Da Kink in My Hair Matthew 4 episodes
2007–2012 Heartland Nick Harwell 6 episodes
2009 Flashpoint Peter Henderson Episode: "Exit Wounds"
2010 Blue Mountain State Travis McKenna 2 episodes
CSI: Miami Peter Truitt Episode: "Sleepless in Miami"
NCIS: Los Angeles Marine Gunnery Sergeant Andrew Weaver Episode: "Bounty"
The Cutting Edge: Fire and Ice Philip Seaverm Television film
2011 The Vampire Diaries Brady 2 episodes
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation A.J. Gust Episode: "73 Seconds"
Justice for Natalee Holloway Joran van der Sloot Television film
Hung Jason Main role (season 3); 10 episodes
90210 Jim 2 episodes
2011–2012 New Girl Kyle 2 episodes
2012 Private Practice Scott Becker 7 episodes
2012–2020 Arrow Oliver Queen / Green Arrow Main role
2013 When Calls the Heart Wynn Delaney Television film
2014–2023 The Flash Oliver Queen / Green Arrow 9 episodes
2015 Reelside Himself Episode: "Superheroes"
WWE Raw Himself 2 episodes
2016–2020 Legends of Tomorrow Oliver Queen / Green Arrow 6 episodes
2017 American Ninja Warrior Himself Episode: "Celebrity Ninja Warrior for Red Nose Day"
2017–2019 Supergirl Oliver Queen / Green Arrow 3 episodes
2019 Batwoman Oliver Queen / Green Arrow Episode: "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Two"
2021–2023 Heels Jack Spade Main role
2025 Suits LA Ted Black Main role
2026 The Borderline Henry Roland Main role

Video games

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Year Title Role Notes
2013 Injustice: Gods Among Us Green Arrow
2014 Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham [65]

Web

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2015 Dudes Being Dudes in Wine Country Himself Also co-creator
2015–2016 Vixen Oliver Queen / The Arrow / Green Arrow Voice; 5 episodes
2017–2024 Being The Elite Himself Cameo
2021–2024 Shot of Brandi Himself Cameo

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia

Stephen Adam Amell (born May 8, 1981) is a Canadian actor best known for portraying Oliver Queen / Green Arrow in the CW's Arrow (2012–2020) and related Arrowverse series. Born in Toronto, Ontario, to Sandra Bolté and Thomas Amell, he is a first cousin of actor Robbie Amell and holds dual Canadian-American citizenship acquired in 2024.
Amell's career gained traction with guest appearances on series like Queer as Folk, , and Private Practice before his lead role in propelled him to prominence, earning Teen Choice Awards in 2013, 2015, and 2019 for his performance as the vigilante archer. He expanded into film with roles such as Casey Jones in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016) and producing credits on projects like Code 8: Part II (2024). Additionally, Amell co-owns Nocking Point Wines and starred as professional wrestler Jack Spade in the Starz series Heels (2021–2023), drawing on his interest in wrestling, including participation in Ring of Honor events. Amell has drawn attention for outspoken views diverging from industry norms, including expressing frustration with and mandates despite personal vaccination, and criticizing the as a "reductive negotiating tactic" that risked alienating the public—prompting backlash from peers and fans, though he later expressed concern for his career trajectory. Married to actress Amell since 2012, with whom he has two daughters, he maintains a focus on family amid professional endeavors.

Early life

Family background and upbringing

Stephen Adam Amell was born on May 8, 1981, in , , to parents Sandra Anne Bolté and Thomas J. Amell. The family resided in , where Amell experienced a childhood immersed in the city's urban environment, with limited public details available on his parents' specific professions or direct involvement in family enterprises. Amell's included no publicly documented siblings, but played a notable role through his first Robbie Amell, whose father is the brother of Thomas J. Amell. The , separated by seven years, grew up together in , fostering early interactions that Robbie later described as influential, with the younger idolizing Amell during their formative years before they drifted apart in . This familial proximity contributed to a shared Canadian upbringing marked by typical sibling-like dynamics despite their relationship. The Amell home environment exposed him to physical pursuits from an early age, including a sustained interest in and athletics that aligned with Toronto's active . Amell maintained a lifelong of , an enthusiasm rooted in childhood viewing habits that honed his appreciation for physical performance and resilience—qualities evident in his later athletic endeavors. These early influences cultivated foundational skills in discipline and bodily awareness, independent of formal training, shaping a oriented toward competitive physicality over sedentary pursuits.

Education and early interests

Amell attended St. Andrew's College, a private independent school for boys in , graduating in 2000. At the school, he first engaged with , marking an early draw to performance despite no formal postsecondary . His youthful pursuits included avid support for Toronto-area teams such as the Raptors, Maple Leafs, and Blue Jays, alongside broader interests in athletics and wrestling. Post-graduation, Amell bypassed traditional academic or corporate trajectories, instead working as a spin class instructor, which aligned with his developing emphasis on .

Acting career

Early roles and breakthrough attempts (2004–2011)

Amell began his professional acting career in 2004 with a in two episodes of the Showtime series Queer as Folk, portraying a spinning instructor during the "Liberty Ride" charity event storyline in the fourth season. This marked his television debut, providing limited screen time as a supporting extra amid the focused on the show's central LGBTQ+ characters in . Following this, he secured additional guest spots on Canadian productions, including roles in Da Kink in My Hair (2004), 1-800-Missing (2005), and Tilt (2005), which offered brief exposure on domestic networks without leading parts. In 2007, Amell earned a Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Guest Role in a Dramatic Series for his appearance on the science-fiction program , highlighting his early recognition within Canadian television despite confined episode counts typically under five per series. He continued building credits with supporting roles in U.S.-based shows, such as the supernatural horror series (2005–2007), where he recurred across seasons as a character entangled in plots, accumulating roughly a dozen episodes of visibility on the here! network. These roles often typecast him in physically imposing, attractive archetypes, limiting narrative depth and leading to patterns of short-term contracts rather than series regulars. By 2009–2011, Amell pursued opportunities in American network television, guest-starring in two episodes of (2010) as the werewolf Brady and appearing in 90210 (2009) and Private Practice (2011) with episodic arcs totaling fewer than ten combined appearances across these CW and ABC series. He also took on the recurring role of Jason, a busboy-turned-prostitute rival, in the third season of HBO's Hung (2011), spanning ten episodes and marking his most substantial U.S. cable exposure to date, though the series concluded without renewal. Additionally, Amell starred as in the Lifetime television film Justice for Natalee Holloway (May 2011), a two-hour dramatization of the murder investigation that drew 2.7 million viewers but did not propel him to starring status. These efforts reflected persistent challenges in securing pilots or breakthroughs, as his resume comprised predominantly one-off or limited-run parts averaging 1–3 episodes per project, underscoring a grind of auditions amid competition for lead roles.

Arrow and Arrowverse prominence (2012–2020)

Amell was cast in the lead role of Oliver Queen, the billionaire vigilante who becomes the , for The CW's pilot episode of on January 31, 2012. The series premiered on October 10, 2012, and concluded after eight seasons on January 28, 2020, producing 170 episodes that adapted DC Comics elements into a grounded narrative of survival, redemption, and urban vigilantism. Early seasons drew strong initial viewership, with the pilot achieving Nielsen ratings that positioned it as a hit for The CW, averaging over 3 million viewers in season 1 and contributing to network prime-time gains against competitors like and . To embody the physically demanding role, Amell underwent a rigorous transformation involving , bodyweight exercises such as pull-ups and push-ups, and like the salmon ladder, which became a signature sequence in the show. He performed the majority of his own , including fight and sequences, crediting practice for authentic form and crediting the production's stunt team for safety in high-risk elements like scenes. This hands-on approach enhanced realism, as Amell noted the physical toll mirrored Oliver Queen's , sustaining across 170 episodes despite later seasons seeing viewership dips to around 1 million averages and a drawing 723,000 viewers with a 0.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic. Arrow catalyzed the Arrowverse, spawning spin-offs like The Flash (2014), Legends of Tomorrow (2016), and Supergirl (2016), with Amell's Oliver Queen central to annual crossovers that boosted shared universe engagement. Culminating in the 2019–2020 Crisis on Infinite Earths event, Amell reprised the role in a multi-series arc where Oliver sacrifices himself to reboot the multiverse, marking a narrative peak that drew on eight years of continuity. The franchise generated economic impacts, including production spending in British Columbia that created jobs and tax revenues, while DC's TV properties collectively exceeded $1 billion annually in value by 2016, though The CW's overall profitability remained challenged.

Post-Arrow television and film (2020–present)

Following the conclusion of in 2020, Amell starred as Jack Spade, a charismatic but self-destructive professional wrestler and co-owner of a family-run promotion, in the drama series Heels. The show, centered on the rivalry between two brothers in the independent wrestling circuit, premiered on August 15, 2021, and ran for two seasons until July 28, 2023. Amell's portrayal drew praise for capturing the physical and emotional toll of the industry, contributing to the series' overall rating of 8.0/10 based on over 11,000 user reviews. In film, Amell reprised his role as Garrett, a drug kingpin with electric powers, in the sci-fi action sequel Code 8: Part II, released on Netflix on February 1, 2024. Directed by Jeff Chan, the movie follows an ex-convict protecting a teen from corrupt police in a world where superpowered individuals face ; it holds a 73% approval rating on from 15 critic reviews. Later that year, Amell appeared in the crime drama Little Lorraine, which premiered at the on September 5, 2025. In the , directed by Andy Hines, he plays Jimmy, a fisherman unwittingly drawn into an international cocaine operation in a remote Nova Scotian town. The movie earned an early IMDb score of 9.2/10 from limited viewer ratings post-premiere. Amell expanded into legal drama with the lead role of Ted Black, a former federal prosecutor turned high-stakes entertainment lawyer, in Suits LA, a spinoff of the original Suits series that premiered on on February 23, 2025. Set in , the show explores corporate intrigue and personal ambition in the entertainment industry. In October 2024, Amell was announced as a lead in the upcoming Crave original crime series Underbelly, set to premiere in 2025, where he stars alongside and in a story of and along the U.S.- border in the region.

Professional wrestling career

WWE and independent appearances (2015–2018)

Amell's initial foray into professional wrestling occurred at WWE's event on August 23, 2015, where he partnered with Neville to defeat Stardust and King Barrett in a match lasting roughly seven minutes. During the bout, Amell executed multiple dropkicks and crossbodies, contributing to the pinfall victory following Neville's Red Arrow finisher. The appearance, stemming from Amell's prior training sessions, generated strong crowd support at the , with spectators cheering his in-ring athleticism despite his lack of formal wrestling background. In 2017, Amell made guest appearances for , notably on November 17 during the tour in , . There, he temporarily aligned with the stable, performing alongside members like and the Young Bucks in a multi-man tag team encounter that included high-impact spots such as Amell delivering an RKO and being driven through a table. These segments highlighted his growing comfort with wrestling's physicality, paralleling the stunt training required for his role, and elicited positive fan reactions for his willingness to sell moves convincingly. Amell returned to independent wrestling at the All In event on September 1, 2018, in , competing in his first singles against . The roughly ten-minute contest saw Amell execute sequences of strikes, suplexes, and a suicide dive, but he was defeated by Daniels' Best Ever, a finish Amell specifically requested to elevate his opponent's standing. Held before a sold-out crowd of over 10,000 at the Sears Centre, the drew applause for Amell's improved pacing and resilience, underscoring his appeal as a performer in non-contracted indie spots.

All Elite Wrestling stint (2020)

Amell made a for at the Revolution pay-per-view event on February 29, 2020, accompanying to the ring for Rhodes' steel cage match against . This non-wrestling role, listed as managerial support for the single event, represented Amell's sole documented involvement with AEW that year. The appearance built on Amell's prior wrestling crossovers, including his 2018 match at the All In event—a precursor to AEW's formation—and aligned with his friendship with , stemming from shared acting and wrestling circles. No contract signing or multi-year commitment was publicly announced, and Amell did not compete in the ring or appear further for the promotion in 2020. In subsequent reflections, Amell has highlighted wrestling's intense physical demands, noting a back injury sustained during initial in-ring training that underscored the sport's toll compared to acting's controlled stunt work. He described the scale and athletic rigor as often underestimated, emphasizing recovery challenges that limited celebrity participants like himself from sustained involvement.

Philanthropy

Fundraising initiatives

In 2014, Stephen Amell initiated an annual merchandising campaign in partnership with the nonprofit F*ck Cancer, aimed at funding early cancer detection, prevention programs, and emotional support services for patients and families. The inaugural drive sold over 6,700 shirts within weeks, generating more than $120,000 in proceeds, with subsequent iterations expanding sales to over 60,000 units across multiple years. By its third annual edition in 2016 and fourth in 2018, the campaign had become a recurring online effort, directing 100% of profits to the organization's initiatives. Amell launched the Sinceriously campaign in 2015, an online merchandise drive supporting anti-bullying efforts through Stand for the Silent and PTSD service dogs via Paws & Stripes, ultimately raising over $800,000 across iterations. Initial sales exceeded expectations, surpassing $43,000 in the first 24 hours against a modest goal of 500 shirts, with the effort revived in 2022 to sustain donations for mental health-related causes. Additional targeted drives included a 2015 collaboration with wrestler (as Stardust) selling limited-edition T-shirts, which raised nearly $300,000 for Emily's House, a Toronto-based children's providing . These initiatives primarily operated through platforms, leveraging Amell's presence for promotion and post-2020 adaptations emphasizing virtual sales amid reduced in-person events.

Direct charity engagements

Amell conducted ward visits to children's hospitals during production hiatuses from Arrow. On September 14, 2015, following his WWE SummerSlam match, he visited Emily's House Children's Hospice in Toronto alongside wrestler Cody Rhodes (known as Stardust), where they interacted with patients and staff while presenting a donation exceeding $250,000 raised from related events. In June 2019, during an Australian promotional trip coinciding with an Arrow off-season period, Amell appeared at Perth Children's Hospital dressed as Green Arrow, engaging directly with young patients to provide encouragement and entertainment. Following his 2020 diagnosis with , an autoimmune form of , Amell has incorporated awareness into personal appearances and interviews, emphasizing exercise and early detection as management strategies based on his experience, though organized events remain limited. He has shared firsthand accounts of symptoms like chronic and to destigmatize the condition, drawing from medical consultations and self-reported progress through . During the , Amell participated in virtual interactions for charity, including one-on-one Zoom sessions ed to benefit causes such as children's health initiatives, allowing remote engagement with fans and beneficiaries unable to attend in-person events from to 2022. These sessions, typically 15 minutes in duration, focused on personal encouragement rather than broad , with participants noting the motivational impact in post-event feedback shared via auction platforms.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Amell married actress and model on December 25, 2012, during a private ceremony while vacationing in the . The couple held a larger public wedding ceremony in New Orleans on May 26, 2013. They have two children: daughter Maverick Alexandra Jean Amell, born on October 15, 2013, and son Bowen Auguste Amell, born on May 13, 2022. Amell and Jean have maintained a family-oriented lifestyle, with Jean frequently accompanying him during professional commitments, including international shoots for Arrow.

Fitness regimen and lifestyle

Amell's preparation for portraying Oliver Queen in involved a high-intensity regimen emphasizing functional strength, , and cardiovascular endurance to achieve a lean, physique capable of demanding stunts. The routine typically included three to four days of full-body circuits combining bodyweight exercises such as pull-ups, push-ups, chin-ups, and planks with weighted movements like Turkish get-ups, lateral box jumps, and Pallof presses, performed in sets of three to build explosive power and . This approach, supplemented by 1-2 days of steady-state long-distance cardio and daily abdominal work, resulted in noticeable body recomposition, reducing body fat while increasing muscle definition over the series' run from 2012 to 2020. Following the conclusion of Arrow, Amell adapted his training for demands in the Starz series Heels, intensifying sessions to five days per week with a focus on shredding excess body fat through compound lifts, battle ropes, and to emulate a wrestler's athletic build. These adjustments accounted for aging and accumulated physical wear, including recurrent from prior injuries, by prioritizing recovery protocols like active rest days and targeted mobility work to sustain performance without . Amell has advocated for long-term consistency in fitness over short-term extremes, emphasizing in and weights alongside a diet rich in lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats to fuel sustained energy and avoid metabolic crashes from restrictive plans. He maintains that minimalistic weight training paired with high-frequency bodyweight movements yields durable results, as evidenced by his ability to maintain sub-10% body fat levels across projects while managing physical setbacks through disciplined routines rather than sporadic intensity spikes.

Controversies and public statements

COVID-19 lockdown position

In October 2020, while filming the wrestling drama Heels in , Stephen Amell tested positive for after approximately 40 prior negative tests. He underwent a three-week , during which he experienced symptoms including loss of appetite leading to a 15-pound weight loss, , and significant mental strain from isolation rather than physical lethality concerns. Amell attributed his anxiety primarily to fears of delaying production and disappointing the cast and crew, stating he felt he had "failed" them despite rigorous compliance with safety measures. Amell described himself as diligent in following guidelines, noting, "I've always been really good about mask wearing about , just following the rules, not going to a huge or large gathering." This stance reflected support for restrictions aimed at curbing transmission, with no recorded endorsement of anti-vaccination views or direct criticism of efforts; he later confirmed receiving doses in 2021. His account underscores the tension between individual adherence to protocols and the virus's unpredictable spread in controlled environments like sets, where economic pressures to resume work clashed with health risks. No verified public statements from Amell in July 2021 or elsewhere explicitly opposed or highlighted their inefficacy versus personal freedoms; available records indicate prioritization of over individual rights challenges during peak restrictions. Empirical data on lockdown efficacy, such as studies showing mixed results in reducing mortality while correlating with elevated non-COVID excess deaths from delayed care and economic fallout (e.g., U.S. closures exceeding 30% in 2020), was not invoked in his commentary. Media coverage focused on his personal recovery rather than broader policy critique, avoiding backlash over contrarian positions.

SAG-AFTRA strike remarks

In July 2023, during the strike that began on July 14 and lasted 118 days until November 9, Stephen Amell described the action as "myopic" and "incredibly frustrating" while speaking at in . He characterized striking as a "reductive negotiating tactic," expressing particular concern over union restrictions that prevented him from promoting his series Heels at the convention, which he said strained his family's finances amid ongoing mortgage payments and childcare costs. Amell emphasized providing for his dependents, stating, "I have a wife and I have a kid that I need to provide for," and affirmed his unconditional support for 's goals but opposition to the strike method itself. Amell's remarks drew backlash from some peers and online commentators, who viewed them as undermining during negotiations over residuals, AI protections, and pay amid industry shifts to streaming. He later clarified via that his comments had been "misinterpreted," reiterating union support while maintaining that striking felt shortsighted given personal economic pressures and the tactic's potential to prolong disruptions without guaranteeing outcomes. No formal union discipline followed, as his statements occurred outside prohibited promotional activities like podcasts, though they highlighted tensions over strike rules limiting personal appearances. Amell's rationale centered on immediate financial realities for working actors, contrasting with data showing stark earnings disparities: approximately 87% of SAG-AFTRA members earn under $26,000 annually, often insufficient for health insurance eligibility, while median actor wages declined 38% from 2021 to 2022 amid reduced residuals from streaming platforms. The strike sought to address a reported $480 million gap in streaming residuals proposals, yet Amell prioritized short-term family provision over extended labor action, later joining a picket line in August 2023 amid ongoing negotiations. In February 2025, Amell reflected that the controversy left him "worried" about career repercussions but acknowledged needing to be "more thoughtful" in expression.

Other public disputes and incidents

In June 2020, amid protests following the death of George Floyd, comic book writer Tee Franklin publicly accused Amell of on , labeling him as exhibiting "racist ass ways" without providing specific evidence or examples of discriminatory behavior. The claim appeared tied to Amell's broader statements acknowledging systemic while rejecting personal culpability absent proof, which Franklin and some fans interpreted as insufficient . Amell responded sarcastically on the platform, stating "You totally nailed me," and the allegation garnered media attention but faded without corroboration or further incidents substantiating it. On June 21, 2021, Amell was removed from Delta Airlines flight 966 departing , for after engaging in a loud verbal argument with his wife, , stemming from tensions after a family wedding. He later attributed the disruption to alcohol consumption, emphasizing that he complied voluntarily upon request from crew and was not forcibly ejected, resulting in an eight-minute departure delay but no formal charges or arrest. In August 2021, Amell publicly expressed deep shame over the incident, describing his actions as "not who I want to be" and noting ongoing efforts to repair the relationship with his wife. Amell has faced minor backlash over offhand social media remarks perceived as dismissive toward celebrities. In April 2018, during Coachella, he tweeted about opting to watch an HBO documentary on wrestler André the Giant instead of Beyoncé's headline performance, prompting criticism from her fans for perceived disrespect, though he clarified it as a lighthearted preference without malice. Similarly, a February 2015 Facebook post decrying an unnamed public figure as an "overly sexualized velociraptor" and "emotional terrorist" was widely speculated to reference Miley Cyrus amid her high-profile relationship at the time, but Amell never confirmed the target, and the comments did not lead to direct confrontation or escalation.

Career reception and legacy

Critical and fan responses

Arrow's inaugural season earned a Metacritic score of 73 out of 100, based on 25 critic reviews, reflecting generally favorable initial reception for its grounded take on origins. Over eight seasons, critical consensus shifted toward mixed evaluations, with reviewers citing formulaic plots and diluted stakes in later years, though aggregate approval stood at 86% across 307 reviews. Amell's portrayal of Oliver Queen drew divided responses: detractors described his line delivery as stiff and emotionally flat, particularly in introspective moments, while admirers commended his athletic prowess and stunt execution, which lent authenticity to the character's physical transformation and combat sequences. Fan devotion persisted amid critical waning, demonstrated by a 2019 Change.org petition garnering signatures to extend the series into a ninth season post-finale, underscoring attachment to Amell's iteration of the despite production fatigue signals from the actor himself. In contrast, Heels achieved stronger critical unity, securing a 94% score from 38 reviews for its layered exploration of wrestling's interpersonal tolls, where Amell's lead as ambitious promoter Jack Spade was praised for conveying quiet intensity amid familial strife. Season one specifically hit 96% approval, highlighting the series' edge over procedural fare in dramatic nuance. Audience metrics echoed this, with the show's cancellation in 2023 prompting calls for revival on platforms like due to sustained viewership appeal.

Impact on genre television

Amell's starring role as Oliver Queen in , which premiered on October 10, 2012, catalyzed the development of the , a interconnected DC Comics-based television franchise on that pioneered a model for programming. This expansion directly spawned multiple spin-offs, including The Flash (debuting October 7, 2014), (January 21, 2016), (October 26, 2016), (January 16, 2018), (October 6, 2019), and (February 23, 2021), with crossovers like "" in 2019-2020 integrating over a dozen series and specials. The franchise's longevity—spanning nearly a decade—demonstrated the commercial viability of serialized, ensemble-driven narratives, influencing industry strategies for IP extension beyond films, though 's overall profitability remained elusive due to syndication deals and production costs. The grounded, street-level tone of , emphasizing vigilante realism over overt superpowers, shifted genre television toward darker, character-focused storytelling, echoing post-Dark Knight trends while proving audiences would embrace non-powered heroes in live-action formats. Amell's commitment to performing stunts and his publicized training—featuring exercises like the salmon ladder pull-up variation—set a benchmark for portraying physically imposing protagonists, inspiring subsequent shows to prioritize fitness and practical effects for authenticity, as seen in the emphasis on athleticism in successors and broader action series. Following 's conclusion on January 28, 2020, Amell's entrenched image as a action-oriented lead complicated transitions to non-genre projects, with early post-series roles largely confined to physical demands in films like Code 8: Part II (2024) and the wrestling drama Heels (2021-2023). While he secured a lead in the legal spinoff Suits LA (premiering February 23, 2025), industry perceptions of persisted, underscoring how prolonged immersion in archetypes can constrain versatility despite demonstrated range in guest appearances.

Filmography

Film

Amell first gained a prominent film role as Casey Jones, the vigilante hockey-masked ally of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, in the theatrical release Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, directed by Dave Green and released on June 3, 2016. In 2019, Amell co-produced and portrayed Garrett Kelton, a telekinetic enforcer involved in criminal operations within a dystopian society where powered individuals face oppression, in the science fiction action film Code 8, directed by Jeff Chan and released directly to video on demand on December 13, 2019. Amell reprised the role of Garrett Kelton in the sequel Code 8: Part II, also co-produced by him and directed by Jeff Chan, which premiered on on February 28, 2024, continuing the story of powered individuals clashing with and criminal elements. Amell stars as Jimmy, a jobless miner drawn into an international ring in the remote town of Little Lorraine, in the thriller Little Lorraine, directed by Andy Hines, which premiered at the on September 5, 2025.

Television

Amell's early television work included recurring roles in the Canadian series Da Kink in My Hair (2007–2009) and Heartland (2007–2010). He transitioned to American network television with guest appearances, such as playing Kyle in two episodes of Fox's during its first season in 2011. Additional recurring roles followed on shows including ABC's Private Practice (2011) and The CW's 90210 (2010–2011). His breakthrough came in 2012 when he was cast as Oliver Queen / Green Arrow in The CW's , a series adaptation of the DC Comics character that premiered on October 10, 2012. Amell starred as the lead in all 170 episodes across eight seasons, which concluded on January 28, 2020, establishing him as a prominent figure in television. The program centered on Queen's vigilante activities in Starling City, blending action, drama, and character development. Following Arrow, Amell portrayed Jack Spade, a charismatic professional wrestler, in the Starz drama Heels, which aired from August 15, 2021, to September 3, 2023, across two seasons totaling 16 episodes. The series explored the rivalries and personal struggles within a small-town wrestling promotion. In 2025, he starred as Ted Black, a former federal prosecutor turned entertainment lawyer, in NBC's Suits LA, a spin-off of the legal drama Suits; the series ran for 13 episodes from February to May 2025 before its cancellation due to low viewership.

Video games and web series

Amell provided the voice and likeness for an alternate version of in the video game Injustice: Gods Among Us, developed by and released on April 16, 2013, for and , with later ports to other platforms. This role drew from his portrayal of Oliver Queen in the television series, marking a crossover between live-action and gaming media. He reprised the voice of Oliver Queen / Green Arrow in the animated Vixen, a DC Comics production that aired six episodes across two seasons on CW Seed in August 2015 and November 2016. The series featured brief appearances by Amell's character in crossover segments tied to the , emphasizing his established vocal performance for the role.

References

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