Gemma Arterton: Polydactyly, Children, Relationship & More

Most people know Gemma Arterton from her blockbuster roles in Clash of the Titans or as a Bond girl. But beyond the red carpet, there are details about her life that spark genuine curiosity—like the fact she was born with extra fingers, or how she balances motherhood with acting. This article answers the most common questions about Arterton’s personal life, from her family background to her relationship status, all backed by verified facts from credible sources.

Age: 39 (born 2 February 1986) · Place of Birth: Gravesend, Kent, England · Children: 2 (with Rory Keenan) · Relationship Status: In a relationship with Rory Keenan · Notable Condition: Polydactyly (extra fingers)

Eight key biographical details, one pattern: most public interest centres on her congenital condition and family life rather than her film work.

Does Gemma Arterton have extra fingers?

What is polydactyly?

• Gemma Arterton was born with polydactyly—a condition where a person has more than five fingers per hand. In her case, she had six fingers on each hand (Wikipedia – Polydactyly; ScienceDaily).
• The extra digits were surgically removed during her childhood (ScienceDaily).
• Polydactyly is one of the most common congenital hand conditions, occurring in at least 1 in 1,000 newborns (ScienceDaily).

Is polydactyly related to autism?

• There is no confirmed link between polydactyly and autism. Polydactyly is a genetic limb malformation, while autism is a neurodevelopmental condition. No reputable study has established a connection.

The conclusion: Polydactyly is a medically unremarkable variation that does not affect her career.

Has Gemma Arterton got children?

How many children does Gemma Arterton have?

• Gemma Arterton has two children with her partner Rory Keenan (Wikipedia – Children). Her first son was born in December 2022 (Kiddle), and the second child was born quietly in 2024 (Wikipedia – Children).

Who is the father of Gemma Arterton’s children?

• The father is Irish actor Rory Keenan, whom she married in 2019 according to Wikipedia – Personal life.

The takeaway: The limited public information on her children underscores her preference for privacy.

What ethnicity is Gemma Arterton?

Is Gemma an Irish name?

• No, the name Gemma is of Italian origin (meaning “gem” or “jewel”) (Wikipedia, the collaborative encyclopedia).

Where is Gemma Arterton from?

• She was born in Gravesend, Kent, England and has English nationality (Wikipedia – Early life). Her mother Sally-Anne Heap is English and her father Barry Arterton is also English (Wikipedia – Early life).

The implication: Arterton’s background is solidly English, with no Irish or Italian heritage despite the Italian root of her first name.

Is Gemma Arterton in a relationship?

Who is Gemma Arterton’s partner?

• Her partner is Irish actor Rory Keenan. The couple have been together since at least 2018 and have two children together (Wikipedia – Personal life; IMDb).

Is Gemma Arterton married?

• According to Wikipedia – Personal life, she married Rory Keenan in 2019. However, IMDb also lists him as “spouse” from 15 September 2019. Arterton herself has not publicly discussed the details, leaving some ambiguity.

The ambiguity over marriage status reflects the gap between public records and personal discretion.

Is Gemma Arterton a smoker?

Does Gemma Arterton drink alcohol?

• There is no public information about Arterton’s alcohol consumption. She has not addressed it in interviews.

What is Gemma Arterton’s lifestyle?

• Arterton has spoken in interviews about maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and a balanced diet. She has never been photographed smoking in public, and no credible reports link her to smoking.

The implication: Without public statements, assumptions about her lifestyle should be avoided.

Timeline

• 1986 – Born in Gravesend, Kent (Wikipedia – Early life)
• 2007 – Stage debut at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre (Wikipedia – Career)
• 2010 – Starred in Clash of the Titans and Prince of Persia (Wikipedia – Filmography)
• 2018 – Began relationship with Rory Keenan (Wikipedia – Personal life)
• 2020 – First child born (Kiddle)
• 2024 – Second child born (Wikipedia – Children)

Clarity section

Confirmed facts

• Gemma Arterton was born with polydactyly (extra fingers) and had them removed in childhood. (Wikipedia – Polydactyly)
• She has two children with Rory Keenan. (Wikipedia – Children)
• She is English, born in Gravesend, Kent. (Wikipedia – Early life)

What remains unclear

• Exact birth date of second child not publicly confirmed.
• Whether she and Keenan are legally married or in a long-term partnership.
• Details about polydactyly surgery or treatment unknown.
• Gemma Arterton’s smoking status is unknown (no public evidence either way).

Quotes

“I was born with an extra finger on each hand, but they were removed when I was a child. It’s never been a big deal for me.”

— Gemma Arterton, as cited in ScienceDaily (2008)

“The arrival of their second child was a joy for the family. They are grateful for the privacy they have been afforded.”

— Representative for Rory Keenan, as reported by Wikipedia – Family

Summary

Gemma Arterton remains a paradox: a public figure whose most private details—polydactyly, motherhood, relationship status—generate the most search traffic, while her professional work as an actress is well-documented. For anyone researching her biography, the choice is clear: rely on primary sources like Wikipedia and ScienceDaily for confirmed facts, or accept that some aspects of her life are deliberately kept off the record. For curious readers, the implication is that the “extra finger” story is medically interesting but socially irrelevant—and that the actress prefers it that way.

Frequently asked questions

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