Born: 30 September 1921, Hillhead, Glasgow, Scotland.
Deborah Kerr, born Deborah Jane Kerr-Trimmer was a distinguished actress known for her poise, versatility and enduring presence on screen. Raised in a middle-class family, she moved with her family to Bristol, England, during her childhood. Initially aspiring to become a ballet dancer, she trained at the Hicks-Smale Drama School in … Read the rest
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 … Read the rest
Born: 7 November 1950, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Lindsay Duncan came from a working-class family, her father served in the British army for 21 years before becoming a civil servant. The family moved to Leeds and then Birmingham during her childhood. Tragically, her father died in a car accident when she was 15 years old. Despite these challenges, Duncan’s early … Read the rest
Born: 4 December 1930, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Ronald Balfour Corbett, wasn’t your typical leading man. Diminutive in stature, Ronnie Corbett, as he was known, possessed an outsized talent for comedy that would propel him to become a household name in Britain.
Ronnie Corbett’s foray into the world of performance began in his youth. School productions and church youth club … Read the rest
Born: 4 January 1983, Rutherglen, Scotland.
Richard Rankin, the son of a police officer and a hotel industry worker, a young Rankin envisioned a future in the sciences or Information Technology. However, a life-altering trip to Los Angeles at the age of 21 sparked a passion for acting, leading him to pursue professional training the following year.
Rankin’s … Read the rest
Mini BiographyBorn: 11 January 1956, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland.
Phyllis Logan is a renowned actress who carved her path on both the big and small screens. Her journey began in the historic countryside surrounding Paisley, where a spark for the performing arts likely ignited during her formative years.
Phyllis Logan’s passion for acting led her to pursue formal training … Read the rest
Born: 2 June 1990, Chelmsford, Essex, England.
Jack Lowden spent his formative years in the Scottish village of Oxton. Lowden was raised by his parents, Gordon and Jacquie Lowden, alongside his younger brother, Calum, who went on to become a ballet dancer. Lowden’s early exposure to the arts included dance classes, but he found his true passion in
Alison O’Donnell was born in the early 1980s and grew up in Motherwell with her two elder sisters. Her early life in Scotland shaped her future in the arts, though she initially embarked on a path that seemed to lead elsewhere.
Her brief stint studying international law suggests a strong academic background, but it was the arts that … Read the rest
Mini BiographyBorn: 11 August 1969, Annan, Dumfriesshire, Scotland.
Ashley Jensen is a Scottish actress with a rich career in film and television. Jensen’s passion for acting led her to train in drama at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. Her early life in Scotland laid the foundation for a career that would see her become a familiar face on both … Read the rest
Born: November 19, 1968, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Mark Bonnar spent his childhood in various Scottish New Towns due to his father Stan’s job as a town artist. His early years were marked by frequent moves, one of which took him to Stonehouse, South Lanarkshire, where he attended Townhead Primary School. By 1981, the family settled in Edinburgh and Mark … Read the rest
Born: 20 August 1943, Dunoon, Argyll and Bute, Scotland.
Sylvester McCoy’s early life was marked by the tragedy of losing his father, who was killed in action during World War II just months before McCoy’s birth. Raised in Dunoon, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, by his Irish Catholic mother, McCoy’s initial education took place at Saint Mun’s School. … Read the rest
Born: 8 May 1984, Greenock, Inverclyde, Scotland.
Martin Compston is a notable figure in the entertainment industry, renowned for his acting prowess and his beginnings as a professional footballer. Raised in a Catholic family, Martin is the younger of two sons and grew up in a close-knit community. His educational journey took him to St Columba’s High School … Read the rest
Born: 13 August 1993, Glasgow, Scotland.
Freya Mavor’s early life was marked by a rich cultural heritage and a passion for the arts. Freya was surrounded by creativity; her father, James Mavor, is a playwright and leads the screenwriting course at Napier University. Her great-grandfather, James Bridie, was a pivotal figure in Scottish theatre, founding a college of … Read the rest
Born: 19 November 1965, Glasgow, Scotland.
Douglas Henshall’s passion for acting began during his school years at Barrhead High School, where he joined the Scottish Youth Theatre.
After completing his formal education, Henshall moved to London to immerse himself in the vibrant theatre scene. He enrolled at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.
In 1993, Henshall’s breakthrough came … Read the rest
Born: 28 November 1987, Inverness, Scotland.
Karen Gillan, born Karen Sheila Gillan, wasn’t your typical child. While others played in playgrounds, Gillan developed her acting skills in youth theatre groups and school productions at Charleston Academy. This passion for performance wasn’t a passing fancy; by 16, she was determined to turn it into a career.
Karen Gillan’s dedication … Read the rest
Born: 1 September 1981, Helensburgh, Scotland.
Morven Christie’s childhood was a blend of city and rural living, growing up between Glasgow and Aviemore. Her exposure to diverse environments and cultures fostered an appreciation for storytelling and the power of performance. Driven by her passion for acting, Christie embarked on her education at the Drama Centre London, where she … Read the rest
Born: 30 April 1980, Balmaclellan, Scotland.
Growing up in a rural area of Scotland, Sam Heughan was exposed to the beauty of nature and developed a love for the outdoors. He attended Kells Primary School and later enrolled at James Gillespie’s High School in Edinburgh.
After completing his high school education, Heughan went on to study at the … Read the rest
Born: 9 October 1900, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Alastair Sim was a renowned Scottish actor who made a significant impact on both the stage and screen. With his distinctive voice, impeccable comic timing and versatile acting skills, Sim became a beloved figure in British entertainment.
Sim was born into a middle-class family, the youngest of four children. His father was … Read the rest
Born: 9 August 1973, Elgin, Moray, Scotland.
With talent that captivates audiences worldwide, Kevin McKidd has taken on numerous notable roles throughout his career. One of his most prominent performances came as Lucius Vorenus in the critically acclaimed historical drama series Rome (2005-2007).
Another significant role that catapulted him into global recognition was that of Dr. Owen Hunt … Read the rest
Born: 24 July 1975 Glasgow, Scotland.
Laura Fraser is a Scottish actress who has appeared in various films and television shows, such as A Knight’s Tale, Breaking Bad, and Better Call Saul. She was born to a screenwriter father and a nurse mother. She attended Hillhead High School and joined the Scottish Youth Theatre and later trained … Read the rest
Born: 14 April 1958, Glasgow, Scotland.
Peter Capaldi is a Scottish actor, director and writer who is best known for playing the twelfth Doctor in the science fiction series Doctor Who and Malcolm Tucker in the political satire The Thick of It. He has also won an Oscar and a BAFTA for his short film Franz Kafka’s It’s … Read the rest
Born: 25 August 1930, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Sean Connery’s early life was a far cry from the glitz and glamour he would later embody. Raised in a working-class family, his father a factory worker and his mother a cleaning lady, young Sean left school at a young age to contribute to the household income.
He took on a variety … Read the rest
Born: 25 November 1965, Glenrothes, Fife, Scotland.
Dougray Scott started his artistic journey in an unexpected place – puppet shows. This early exposure to performance sparked a passion for acting that would propel him onto the national stage.
Education played a pivotal role in shaping Dougray’s talent. He attended the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, graduating … Read the rest
Born: 17 October 1990, Perth, Scotland.
Joanna Vanderham is half Scottish and half Dutch and a family background steeped in academia (her mother a professor and siblings doctors), Joanna found her own path on the stage. Her passion for acting blossomed early, leading her to join a local drama club at the age of nine. Throughout her school … Read the rest
Born: 21 April 1979, Glasgow, Scotland.
James McAvoy grew up in a Roman Catholic household. His parents separated when he was seven and he was raised by his maternal grandparents in Drumchapel, Glasgow. McAvoy briefly considered joining the priesthood during his youth, inspired by the idea of missionary work. However, his path took a different turn when actor … Read the rest
Born: 1 June 1946, Dundee, Scotland.
Brian Cox comes from a working-class Roman Catholic family with Irish and Scottish roots. His mother, Mary Ann Guillerline, was a jute mill worker who experienced several nervous breakdowns during his childhood, while his father, Charles McArdle Campbell Cox, was a police officer and later a shopkeeper who passed away from … Read the rest
Born: 18 April 1971, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland.
David Tennant grew up in a close-knit family with his parents, Helen and Alexander “Sandy” McDonald and his siblings, Blair and Karen. His father was a minister who served as the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which influenced Tennant’s upbringing. From a young age, … Read the rest
Born: 14 April 1961, Maryhill, Glasgow, Scotland.
Robert Carlyle began his acting career in the 1980s, appearing in various theater productions before transitioning to television and film.
Robert Carlyle’s breakthrough role came in 1996 when he portrayed the volatile and unpredictable Begbie in the film adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s novel “Trainspotting.” The role earned him critical acclaim and … Read the rest
Born: 23 February 1976, Glasgow, Scotland.
In her early life, Kelly Macdonald grew up in a working-class family in Glasgow. She attended the Eastwood High School and showed an early interest in acting. Encouraged by her teachers, she pursued her passion by joining a local theatre group.
Kelly Macdonald’s breakthrough came in 1996 when she was cast in … Read the rest
Born: 31 March 1971, Perth, Scotland.
Ewan McGregor’s passion for acting blossomed early, performing for his family and friends in his hometown of Crieff. At the age of 16, he enrolled at the Kirkcaldy Theatre Workshop, marking the beginning of his formal training. His talent and dedication propelled him to London’s prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama, … Read the rest
