Born in Paisley in 1969, Gerard Butler was head boy at St Mirin's & St Margaret's High School before studying law at the University of Glasgow where he became president of the university law society.
He started a job as a trainee lawyer with Morton Fraser in Edinburgh but was sacked just a week before qualifying. He decided to leave the law behind and head to London to find fame.
A meeting with an old friend from the Scottish Youth Theatre led to his first role in Steven Berkoff's play of Coriolanus, followed by a part in an adaptation of Trainspotting at the Edinburgh Festival. At the age of 30 he decided to move to Los Angeles where he won parts in Dracula 2000, Tomb Raider 2, Dear Frankie, Phantom of the Opera, Reign of Fire and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life.
Superstardom – and award nominations – followed with his portrayal of King Leonidas in fantasy war film 300, which led to him being one of the world’s most famous Scots with lead roles in blockbusters like the How to Train Your Dragon films, Greenland, Gods of Egypt, Olympus Has Fallen, London Has Fallen and Angel Has Fallen.
Here are 13 funny and revealing things the actor has said in interviews.
A meeting with an old friend from the Scottish Youth Theatre led to his first role in Steven Berkoff's play of Coriolanus, followed by a part in an adaptation of Trainspotting at the Edinburgh Festival. At the age of 30 he decided to move to Los Angeles where he won parts in Dracula 2000, Tomb Raider 2, Dear Frankie, Phantom of the Opera, Reign of Fire and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life.
5. Gerard Butler on...his childhood
"I did spend a lot of my childhood playing out movie scenarios in my head. I'd walk along the road, pretending like I was in the army, talking on the radio, and doing maneuvers. I dreamt a lot about performing in movies and living in fantasies." Photo: Jason Merritt/TERM
6. Gerard Butler on...being a sex symbol
"When I'm 80 and sagging all over, I can tell my grandkids, 'Look, when I was a lad, 'People' magazine thought I was sexy!'" Photo: Kevin Winter
7. Gerard Butler on...Scotland
"I go to Scotland maybe three times a year, and I love it. When I'm at home, I feel at home, I feel myself, I feel connected." Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez
8. Gerard Butler on...wanting to be an actor
"It was always a dream as I was growing up. I would watch movies, mostly American movies, and be so engrossed in those stories, all I wanted to do was be there. I wanted to be part of that romance or that fantasy or be that warrior or that struggling soul who finally makes it good." Photo: Juan Naharro Gimenez