Long before Tom Holland became Marvel's friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, he was winning over audiences on an entirely different stage. Years before Hollywood came calling, the English actor was performing under the bright lights of London's West End, where his talent for dance and acting first began turning heads.

Today, Holland is one of the biggest stars in the world, but his journey started with Billy Elliot the Musical—a role that demanded years of training before he ever stepped onto the stage.

So, how old was Tom Holland when he starred in Billy Elliot the Musical?

Tom Holland was 12 years old when he made his professional stage debut in Billy Elliot the Musical on London's West End. Born on June 1, 1996, Holland was first spotted while performing with his street dance group during a show at White Lodge, after which he was encouraged to audition for the production.

Landing the role, however, was anything but instant. Reflecting on the experience, Holland revealed that it took him "about two and a half years to actually get onto the stage," as he underwent extensive dance, ballet and gymnastics training before making his debut.

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He initially appeared as Billy's best friend, Michael Caffrey, before eventually taking over the title role of Billy Elliot. The physically demanding production became his first major acting credit and introduced him to the discipline of live theatre at an early age.

Nearly two decades later, Billy Elliot remains one of the defining chapters of Tom Holland's career. The actor has admitted that one of his biggest professional regrets was giving up dance after leaving the production, saying he wishes he had continued taking classes.

The musical's choreography has clearly stayed with him. Holland recently recalled attempting the show's iconic "Angry Dance" routine from memory, only to discover that while the steps were still "ingrained" in him, his body wasn't quite as forgiving. He joked that he was "in absolute agony" and couldn't walk properly for two days afterward.

Now preparing to portray legendary dancer Fred Astaire in an upcoming biopic directed by Paul King, Holland has found himself returning to the dance studio, bringing his career full circle. The project has reportedly attracted scrutiny over its development, but for Holland, it also marks a return to the skills that first put him in the spotlight. Looking back today, it's clear that Billy Elliot wasn't just Tom Holland's first major role—it was the foundation that helped shape the performer audiences know today.

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From Billy Elliot to Spider-Man, which Tom Holland role is your favorite? Tell us know in the comments.