- His two daughters, Mary and Peggy, both star alongside him (Bofur) in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013), playing the two daughters (Tilda and Sigrid) of Luke Evans (Bard).
- After starring in Jekyll (2007), written by Doctor Who (2005) writer Steven Moffat, some press reports speculated that he would be the next star of Doctor Who (2005). In a 2008 interview with a British television magazine, Nesbitt dismissed the reports, stating that he didn't think he could follow Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant and he felt that at the age of 43, he would be considered too old for the part anyway.
- Met his wife in 1989 whilst performing a world tour of Hamlet (she was understudying Ophelia, he was playing Guildenstern), shortly after leaving their respective drama schools.
- Was offered a major guest part in the David Tennant's First Season of Doctor Who (2005) but was not free.
- He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2016 Queen's New Years Honours List for his services to drama and to the community in Northern Ireland.
- In March 2010, the University of Ulster appointed James Nesbitt as its first ever Northern Ireland-born Chancellor. He succeeded former London Lord Mayor Sir Richard Nichols in the role.
- Good friends with Jerome Flynn, they play soccer together.
- Trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama, London.
- Is an avid supporter of Coleraine Football Club and has donated money to the club.
- His mother-in-law is actress Penelope Munday.
- Of Clan Nesbitt.
- Children: Peggy born 1997 and Mary born 2001.
- A supporter of Manchester United Football Club
- In 2003, he starred in a very amusing series of television commercials for Yellow Pages telephone directories.
- Appeared at the CineMagic World Screen Festival for Young People 2002 in Belfast, N.I.
- His sister was the school music teacher of Jayne Wisener.
- In 2004, he appeared in advertisements for the Sky 'Premiership season ticket' pay per view offer.
- Born on exactly the same date as "D.J. Jazzy Jeff" Townes.
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