Laurence Paul Fox, born May 26, 1978, in Leeds, England, is a British actor and musician whose career in television drama became overshadowed by his later transformation into a controversial right-wing political activist and party leader. A scion of the renowned Fox acting dynasty, he is the son of actor James Fox and the brother of actors Lydia Fox and Jack Fox. He was educated at Harrow School before training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, embarking on a path that seemed destined for a steady career in the arts.

His professional acting debut came in the 2001 thriller The Hole, but it was his role as the cerebral, music-loving Detective Sergeant James Hathaway opposite Kevin Whately in the popular ITV series Lewis that brought him widespread recognition and became his claim to fame. He played the character from 2006 until the series concluded in 2015, establishing a firm presence on British television. Alongside this defining role, he appeared in projects such as Becoming Jane and the series Victoria. Parallel to his acting, Fox pursued music as the lead singer and guitarist for the rock band Laurence Fox & The Reclaimers, releasing music that fit within a classic rock genre.

Fox's public profile shifted dramatically around 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he became a frequent and vocal critic of lockdown measures and vaccine policies. He also publicly criticized the Black Lives Matter movement following the death of George Floyd, positioning himself in opposition to what he termed "woke culture." This activism culminated in the founding of the right-wing populist Reclaim Party in 2020. He stood as its candidate in the 2021 London mayoral election, finishing sixth, and again unsuccessfully in the 2024 London Assembly election. His political career has been marked by numerous controversies, including high-profile legal disputes related to defamation and social media conduct.

His personal life has also attracted significant media attention. He was married to actress and singer Billie Piper from 2007 until their divorce in 2016; the couple has two children. The trajectory of Laurence Fox's public life presents a stark contrast, from a respected supporting actor in a beloved detective drama to a divisive political figure at the center of Britain's culture wars.