John Hannah

Last updated on the 9 May 2025 by Maeve

Mini Biography

Born: 23 April 1962, East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, Scotland

John Hannah grew up in a working-class family. His father was a toolmaker and his mother worked in a supermarket. He attended Claremont High School in East Kilbride. After leaving school, Hannah initially trained as an apprentice electrician for four years before deciding to pursue his passion for acting. This significant career shift led him to enrol in the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, where he laid the foundation for his future success in the entertainment industry.

John Hannah’s career began on the stage, performing in various theatrical productions. His breakthrough into mainstream recognition came with his role as Matthew in the iconic romantic comedy “Four Weddings and a Funeral” (1994). This performance brought him international attention and a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Following this success, he starred in other notable films, including “Sliding Doors” (1998) and “The Mummy” trilogy (1999-2008), where he played the memorable character Jonathan Carnahan.

In addition to his film work, Hannah has had a prolific career in television. He starred as Dr. Iain McCallum in the crime drama series “McCallum” (1995-1998) and gained further acclaim for his portrayal of Quintus Lentulus Batiatus in the critically acclaimed historical drama series “Spartacus” (2010-2013). His television credits also include roles in series such as “Cold Blood”, “Dirk Gently”, and “Transplant”, demonstrating his continued presence and impact across different genres on the small screen.

In his personal life, John Hannah married actress Joanna Roth in 1996. They met while working on a play together. The couple have twins, a son and a daughter, born in 2004. Hannah and his family have resided in London for many years. Known for his down-to-earth demeanour and engaging performances, John Hannah has established himself as a respected and enduring figure in British and international entertainment.

Suggested viewing

A Touch of Cloth (2012)

Bftv 9.5 / IMDb 7.8

A cynical, hard-drinking detective, haunted by personal tragedy, tackles a series of increasingly bizarre and convoluted murders. This darkly comedic parody of police procedurals skewers genre tropes with absurd situations, over-the-top characters and relentlessly silly dialogue.

Top cast: John Hannah, Suranne Jones, Adrian Bower, Navin Chowdhry, Daisy Beaumont, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Adam Tandy, Karen Gillan.

McCallum (1995)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.6

In the gritty atmosphere of London, a brilliant but unconventional forensic pathologist investigates complex and often disturbing deaths. Driven by a relentless pursuit of truth, he digs into the intricate details of each case, often clashing with police bureaucracy and confronting personal demons as he seeks justice for the deceased.

Top cast: John Hannah, Zara Turner, James Saxon, Hugo Speer, Alex Walkinshaw, Suzanna Hamilton, Gerard Murphy, Richard O’Callaghan.

More forensic pathology

Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.1

A charming but perpetually single man and an intriguing American woman experience a series of encounters at different weddings, punctuated by a sombre funeral. Their paths repeatedly cross amidst the joyous and sorrowful occasions, leading to humorous situations and a growing, albeit uncertain, romantic connection as they negotiate life and love.

Top cast: Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell, James Fleet, Simon Callow, John Hannah, Kristin Scott Thomas, Charlotte Coleman, David Bower.

Full filmography @ Wikipedia