Butler voted best Brit in Hollywood

Published on Thursday 19 November 2009 21:55

SCOTTISH actor Gerard Butler has been voted the best British actor in Hollywood by film fans.

Burly beefcake Butler, 40, best known for his role as King of the Spartans in 300, beat Christian Bale and double Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis to the title in a poll of more than 1,000 British movie buffs by online DVD and games rental service Lovefilm.

Kate Winslet, one of only two women to feature in the top ten, came fourth.

Another Scottish actor, James McAvoy, who starred opposite Angelina Jolie in Wanted and Keira Knightley in Atonement, secured fifth spot with 8 per cent of the vote.

Pin-up Robert Pattinson, star of the first Twilight movie and its highly anticipated sequel New Moon, came seventh, while tough guy Jason Statham – who has appeared in Snatch, Revolver and Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels – came eighth.

A third Scot, Ewan McGregor, who shot to fame in Trainspotting, came ninth. Emily Blunt, who won over film fans with her hilarious performance in The Devil Wears Prada, completed the top ten.

Helen Cowley, editor at Lovefilm said: "The poll shows that Butler and Bale have got some real bite in Hollywood.

"And even though Robert Pattinson is getting some deserved attention, it's the older generation of actors that still have sway in Hollywood."