20 Tom Hardy Tattoos and What They Mean

Tom Hardy, the enigmatic and talented British actor, is as famous for his inked skin as he is for his mesmerizing performances on screen. With a rugged charm and an undeniable presence, Hardy has become a cultural icon, captivating audiences with his raw talent and intriguing personal style. The star of Venom, Legend, Bronson, and Mad Max: Fury Road has a commanding on-screen presence that has seen him rise to the top of the Hollywood food chain and become one of the world’s biggest stars. Although he hasn’t won an Academy Award just yet, he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Revenant alongside good pal Leonardo DiCaprio.

Yet, it is his love for 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 shine a 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 testament to his journey, revealing fragments of his past, present, and aspirations for the future. From intricate designs to meaningful symbols, his body serves as a 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 apart, embracing his tattoos as a form of self-expression and celebration of his unique identity. It is through these artistic markings that he communicates his passions, beliefs, and personal experiences, making each tattoo an intimate and meaningful statement. Whether it’s an ode to a loved one, a tribute to a role he portrayed, or a representation of his own struggles and triumphs, Hardy’s tattoos serve as a constant reminder of his individuality and the profound impact they have had on his life.

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

1. Leprechaun Tattoo

The first tattoo Tom Hardy ever got was of a leprechaun when he was just 15 years old. Inked on his right arm, the tattoo is said to be a tribute to his Irish heritage, as his mom was born on the Emerald Isle. Believed to bring good fortune, Hardy obviously didn’t feel it was working as he covered the tattoo with a large tribal design.

2. Tribal Tattoo

The tribal tattoo Hardy sports on his right arm is quite large and not really anything special. It’s the type of tattoo you see people getting in Bali on the cheap. There’s no information regarding why he got the ink, but it certainly adds to his tough guy persona and is much better than the leprechaun tatt it covers.

3. “Padre Fiero” Tattoo

Inked near the left side of his collarbone is the Italian phrase “padre Fiero,” which translates to “proud father.” Hardy has one son with his ex-wife Sarah Ward and a son and daughter with his current wife Charlotte Riley. Family is something he cherishes 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 quite impressive is the large dragon on his left bicep. It’s rumored 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, with Hardy then meeting assistant director Rachael Speed in 2005, with the two splitting in 2009. That’s when Hardy met his current wife Charlotte Riley while on the set of Wuthering Heights.

5. London Skyline Tattoo

Born and bred in West London, Hardy got a tribute to the city with a tattoo of the London skyline. It’s located on his left arm underneath another important tattoo you can read more about below.

6. Madonna Cradling a Baby Tattoo

No, not the “Like a Virgin” Madonna but the Catholic faith Madonna. This tattoo of Madonna clutching a baby is on Hardy’s right arm, and as he told The Sun, “That was about mothering to me. I went through a lot of stuff leaving home and becoming a father and growing up to be my own mother.”

7. Scorpion Tattoo

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

8. “Til I Die SW” Tattoo

You wouldn’t pick him as being 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. As well as the dragon tattoo dedicated to Sarah Ward, Hardy also has “Til I Die SW” on his stomach, with “SW” being Ward’s initials.

9. “Leo Knows All” Tattoo

Tom Hardy and Leonardo DiCaprio first shared the screen in Christopher Nolan’s 2010 mind-bender Inception. Five years later they hooked again for The Revenant, the movie that finally won DiCaprio an Oscar.

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

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

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

10. Wolf Tattoo

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

11. “Charlotte” Tattoo

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

12. Star Tattoo

Another ex gets a look in, with the star Hardy has inked on his left shoulder a tribute to Rachel Speed and their then-unborn child.

13. Raven Tattoo

On his left pec, Hardy has the silhouette of a raven inked on his body. The tattoo is said to represent two of the most important films in his career: The Dark Knight Rises and Mad Max: Fury Road. As anyone who has followed Hardy’s career knows, these two films helped him become a massive star in the movie business.

14. Charlotte Riley Portrait Tattoo

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Whenever he takes his shirt off, Hardy reveals the extent of his ink. One of the most noticeable tattoos is a portrait of his wife, Charlotte Riely, inked on the left side of his back. This is just one of many tattoos Hardy has that reference the ladies who have impacted his life in some form over the journey.

15. “1338046” Tattoo

This number on his 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 just happened to be the father of one of his good friends. He got the ink on his right bicep as a way to honor his good mate’s dad.

16. “LINDY King” Tattoo

It’s not just his former girlfriends who Hardy has tattooed on his body. He also has his agent, Lindy King, inked on his left arm. Hardy is believed to have said that if she got him to Hollywood he would get her name tattooed on his skin. Having followed through after losing his bet with Leo, it’s no real surprise 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 show the two main emotions during Greek plays, comedy and tragedy. When either was worn by the performers the audience understood the emotions of the characters and could follow the story.

Hardy has never discussed why he got the tattoo but is most likely related to his career as an actor. He also has “Smile Now” inked above the comedy mask and “Cry Later” inked above the tragedy mask.

18. Cross Tattoos

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

19. “Figlio Mio Bellissimo” Tattoo

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

20. Union Jack Tattoo

Hardy is more patriotic than you might 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 done in Canada. Tattoo artist Bryan Glatiotis from 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.” It’s believed this is 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 is someone who has a great professional relationship with the actor.

22. Smoking Skull With a Top Hat

There is no information regarding this tattoo that can be found on Hardy’s left forearm. That said, it’s a pretty cool-looking piece that features a smoking skull wearing a top hat. Just below the ink, Hardy has another bird tattoo, which also doesn’t appear to have any meaning. The guy just likes getting skulls and birds tattooed on his body.

23. Playing Card Tattoo

Here is another random tattoo Hardy has on his body, this one is of a playing card. It doesn’t appear to have a particular number or suit and is on the right side of his stomach. Many consider playing cards to be good luck charms so there is the possibility Hardy got the ink when he needed the cards to fall his way in life.

24. Flying Bird Tattoo

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

25. “II O&R” Tattoo

This tiny tattoo is on Venom’s right shoulder and hidden inside his tribal tattoo. “II Q&R” is said to represent the phrase “To observe and reflect,” which Body Art Guru claims is 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 oldest son who he had with former partner Rachel Speed. This is a tattoo dedicated to him.

27. Max Tattoo

As any Hardy fan knows, the actor is a big 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 get through many rough toughs.

“I wouldn’t go to class unless Max was allowed in,” Hardy said as reported by I Heart Dogs. “My old drama teacher said, ‘I remember when you used to walk into class with your dog in one hand and a can of Coke in the other.’ Max was my support unit, it’s like I had a focus; I had an identity and higher self-esteem because something relied on me and loved me constantly. Then I felt important.”

28. “W” Tattoo

This is another small tattoo Hardy got shouting out his ex Sarah Ward. The man really likes getting his partner’s name tattooed on his body.