Adam Pearson
Biography
Adam Pearson, born on 6 January 1985 in Croydon, London, is a British actor, television presenter, and campaigner. He has neurofibromatosis type I, a condition that causes non-cancerous tumors to grow on nerve tissue, and has become a prominent advocate for people with visible differences. He shares the condition with his identical twin brother, Neil, though it manifests differently for each of them.
Early Life and Education
Adam Pearson grew up in Croydon alongside his twin brother. At the age of five, he sustained a head injury that led to the identification of his condition. He later attended the University of Brighton, earning a degree in Business Management.
Career
Television Presenting
Pearson began his career in television production, working with the BBC and Channel 4 on shows such as The Undateables and Beauty and the Beast. He contributed as a researcher, strand presenter, and consultant for various series, including the Dutch adaptation of Beauty and the Beast.
He has presented several documentaries, including Adam Pearson: Freak Show and The Ugly Face of Disability Hate Crime, and co-hosted the BBC Four documentary Eugenics: Science’s Greatest Scandal with Angela Saini. He has also appeared on Celebrity MasterChef, Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, and served as Brighton team captain on Christmas University Challenge. In 2016, he was nominated for UK Documentary Presenter of the Year at the Grierson Awards.
Acting
Pearson made his acting debut in Under the Skin (2013), directed by Jonathan Glazer and starring Scarlett Johansson. He described the role as an opportunity to challenge stigma surrounding disfigurement and discovered his passion for acting through the experience.
He went on to star in Chained for Life (2019) and, in 2024, played a leading role in A Different Man, alongside Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and also screened at the Berlin International Film Festival. Pearson emphasized the importance of challenging stereotypes through his work.
In 2025, he was announced to star as Joseph Merrick in a new film adaptation of The Elephant Man, becoming the first disabled actor to portray the role in a film.
Charity Work
In 2024, Pearson became a patron of Face Equality International, a global alliance promoting awareness, inclusion, and equality for people with facial differences. He has been actively involved in outreach programs to prevent bullying and discrimination based on visible differences.
Personal Life
Adam Pearson lives in the Addiscombe area of South London. He is a practicing Christian and has spoken about reconciling his faith with his experiences, emphasizing that adversity and hardship can be integral to spiritual growth.
Adam Pearson has built a career that combines acting, presenting, and advocacy, using his platform to raise awareness of disability, challenge social stigma, and champion equality.
