From the Vaults: Tom Hardy Winning Modeling Contest in 1998

It must no longer be a secret to any of our readers that we love us some Tom Hardy – and that we're psyched he's finally getting the attention we feel an actor of his caliber deserves. If you're just like us, then you'll certainly enjoy the video above.

Before Tom went mainstream as Bane in “The Dark Knight Rises,” before he won critical acclaim as the demented Bronson in “Bronson,” before he made us swoon as Heathcliff in “Wuthering Heights” and before his foray into British gangster movies, he was a model – of sorts.

The video above goes all the way back to 1998, when Tom won a modeling contest on The Big Breakfast.

Despite the headband and questionable fashion taste, you can see in this young lad the makings of the talented actor and huge star he is today: the swagger, the amazing self-confidence, the goofy but adorable smile, the sense of humor.