Key Scottish Actors

Sir Sean Connery

Still at the top of his profession after fifty years, Sir Sean is one of the most bankable
stars in the world and shows no sign of slowing down. He returns in 2008 in the
fourth Indiana Jones film.

Tom Conti
One of the finest character actors Scotland has ever produced. Well
worth seeking out is his performance as a drunken poet in the
1983 classic Reuben, Reuben, which also stars a very young, pre-Top Gun Kelly
McGillis.

Denis Lawson
Familiar to a generation of cinema-goers as Wedge Antilles in the first three of George Lucas's Star
Wars films, Perthshire-born star, Lawson's finest hour was undoubtedly as the charmingly scheming
Gordon Urquhart in Local Hero. He's also Ewan McGregor's uncle!

Ewan McGregor
Without question, one of the biggest names to emerge in Scottish cinema in recent
years, Ewan McGregor has starred in over thirty films since he burst onto the scene in
Shallow Grave in the early 90's. He now also works as a highly respected UNICEF
ambassador.

Kelly Macdonald
Another graduate of the Trainspotting cast, Kelly Macdonald enhanced her reputation no
end with an understated performance as a maid in Robert Altman's masterful 2001 murder
mystery Gosford Park.

Robert Carlyle
After his unforgettable role as Francis Begbie in Trainspotting, Robert
Carlyle went on to play the lead in The Full Monty – one of the highest
grossing British films of all time. He's also been a Bond villain: Renard in
1999's The World is Not Enough. Not bad for a boy from Maryhill.

Billy Connoly
While remaining one of the world's best-loved stand-up comics for over thirty years The Big Yin has
also found time to carve out a niche as a well respected dramatic actor, perhaps most memorably as
Queen Victoria's gamekeeper in 1997's Mrs Brown, for which he was nominated for a BAFTA.

Bill Paterson
One of the most prolific and respected actors ever to emerge from Scotland, Bill Paterson has been
impressing audiences since the late 1970's. He's worked extensively in both film and television,
appearing in productions as diverse as Auf Weidersehen Pet and The Killing Fields.

Daniela Nardini
Best known for her portrayal of hard-living lawyer Anna Forbes in the hit TV series
This Life, Largs-born Daniela Nardini also appeared recently in the critically-
acclaimed movie, Festival, a black comedy set during the Edinburgh Festival.

Peter Mullan
While not yet a household name Peter Mullan is one of
Scotland's most respected actors and has appeared in a huge
variety of hit films, from Trainspotting to Braveheart, as well as in many lesser-known critical hits like
Young Adam (with Ewan McGregor) and My Name is Joe. In 1995 he also wrote and
directed the award winning short film Fridge.

Brian Cox
Born in Dundee and a recent recipient of the CBE, Brian Cox is now a major Hollywood
star. He was also the first actor to play Hannibal Lecter, appearing as the monster
psychiatrist in Michael Mann's Manhunter long before Anthony Hopkins took on the
role.

Peter Capaldi
From his big screen debut as a gawky sidekick in Local Hero in the early 1980's, to his
much loved performance as the foul-mouthed Downing Street spin doctor Malcolm
Tucker in The Thick of It, Peter Capaldi has proved to be one of Scotland's most
enduring and versatile talents. He also wrote and directed the Oscar-winning short film
Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life.

David Tennant
The Bathgate-born actor who almost single-handedly made Dr Who cool again, Tennant started his
career as an extra in Rab C. Nesbitt! Will soon surely be moving onto great things on the big screen . . .

John Hannah
Perhaps best known for his performance in Four Weddings and a Funeral, John Hannah
has gone on to appear in many major Hollywood films including Sliding Doors and The
Mummy. Undoubtedly the most successful actor from East Kilbride!

Clare Grogan
The former Altered Images singer who captivated a generation of Scottish schoolboys, Clare Grogan
also appeared in Gregory's Girl and Comfort and Joy. She has since made many memorable TV
appearances, including a cameo as a Sinead O'Connor style singer in Father Ted!

Chic Murray
One of the greatest stand-up comics of all time - recently voted 'the comedian's
comedian' - Chic also dazzled on the big screen with memorable appearances in
the 1967 James Bond spoof Casino Royale and as the
curmudgeonly headmaster in Gregory's Girl.

Alan Cumming
Familiar to a generation of younger movie-goers from his work in the X-Men
series of films, Alan Cumming is also a talented writer and published novelist.

Dougray Scott
The Fife-born Desperate Housewives and Mission Impossible star was named GQ magazine's 'Most
Alluring Man' in 2001. He still finds time to return to Fife in his capacity as Chieftan at the Mintlaw
Highland Games!

Robbie Coltrane
To some he will forever be Fitz from Cracker. To some younger viewers he's Hagrid
from the Harry Potter films. Whichever generation you fall into, there's no doubt that
Robbie Coltrane is one of most talented and versatile actors Scotland has ever
produced.

Ken Stott
Educated at George Heriot's school in Edinburgh (where his father was headmaster) Ken Stott became
a renowned stage actor (nominated for an Olivier Award for his 1996 performance in ART) before
taking over the role of Ian Rankin's DI Rebus in 2006.

James McAvoy
The Scotstoun-born actor who first shot to fame on the hit TV show Shameless has gone from strength
to strength; culminating in his starring role in the box-office hit The Last King of Scotland. Now
rumours abound that he is to play Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain in a biopic about the tragic rock star's
life, a role that might make his profile rise even higher.

Gerard Butler
Since leaving Glasgow University Law School Gerard Butler has gone on to carve out a
formidable Hollywood career, appearing in projects as diverse as blockbuster epics like
300 and a the film version of the Phantom of the Opera musical. Tantalisingly he is set to
play Robert Burns in the upcoming movie Burns, but shooting has once again been
postponed.

This information was sourced directly from

http://www.scotland.org/celebrate-scotland/organise-an-
event/event-ideas/scottish-film-night/actors.html