Ewan McGregor has excelled in starring roles in a variety of films, TV shows, musicals and more over his exciting career. Born on March 31, 1971, recently McGregor celebrated his 52nd birthday.
The Scottish actor, born in Perth, kicked off his career in British cinema during the mid-90s but quickly rose to worldwide fame when he bagged the role of Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequel film (1999). So, what better day to reflect on this legacy as we celebrate May the 4th.
Here are 13 of his most critically acclaimed films according to IMDb reviews.
Here are 13 of his most critically acclaimed films according to IMDb reviews.
![This musical classic follows a romantic poet named Christian who is convinced that anything is possible if you do it with love. When he meets Satine, the star courtesan at the Moulin Rouge, his views are challenged but the unlikely pair ultimately do end up finding happiness together.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjUzNmFlNjkyLTBlM2MtNGU4ZS1hNTVhLTA0ZDE0NzIxNTVmZTozYmQxNWFlOC00NjFhLTQ3ZjEtOWUwYy04NmYxYWU4YzUxNGY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
5. Moulin Rouge! (2001)
This musical classic follows a romantic poet named Christian who is convinced that anything is possible if you do it with love. When he meets Satine, the star courtesan at the Moulin Rouge, his views are challenged but the unlikely pair ultimately do end up finding happiness together. Photo: Submitted
![It stars Oliver who was raised believing that his parents did not love each other and so he struggles with his own ability to commit. After his mother passes away his father then reveals that he is gay at 75 years of age. Struggling to process this, Oliver later meets the lovely Anna who will test his ability to form bonds.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjg0YTViYTcyLWFhODctNGIwZS04MTZhLWVmYTE3N2NhMGMzNTpkOTljMzNlYi1jZDhlLTQzYWYtYWM3Yi1mYWI2NDI4NzdhNmY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
6. Beginners (2010)
It stars Oliver who was raised believing that his parents did not love each other and so he struggles with his own ability to commit. After his mother passes away his father then reveals that he is gay at 75 years of age. Struggling to process this, Oliver later meets the lovely Anna who will test his ability to form bonds. Photo: YouTube Screenshot
![This fairytale captures the story of Ed and his son Will. Will's father is a storyteller who is well-known for his tales but Will doesn't find him grounded in reality. However, after Ed becomes sick, Will takes care of him and listens to him tell the story of his life which Ewan McGregor captures as he plays the young Ed.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjAzNjk3ZmFlLTNkMjYtNDNkMC1hY2YxLTg2NTkzY2IxNzVjOToyMjA2NDEyZS00NDE2LTQ4ODgtYmQ1MC0zMTkwMTNiOGI5ZmI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
7. Big Fish (2003)
This fairytale captures the story of Ed and his son Will. Will's father is a storyteller who is well-known for his tales but Will doesn't find him grounded in reality. However, after Ed becomes sick, Will takes care of him and listens to him tell the story of his life which Ewan McGregor captures as he plays the young Ed. Photo: YouTube Screenshot
![Ewan McGregor plays the role of "the Ghost", an accomplished ghostwriter who agrees to write the memoirs of England's late prime minister Pierce Brosnan. During the process, he discovers evidence that Brosnan did not pass away naturally but was, in fact, murdered.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmExOTUyM2NjLTdkNjMtNGJiZC1hNzkwLWU5YzkxZDY1OGFmODo5ZmE0Y2Y5NS1iM2ZkLTQxNTAtYjdlMi0zMTNmOGM2YjFhNmM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
8. The Ghost (2010)
Ewan McGregor plays the role of "the Ghost", an accomplished ghostwriter who agrees to write the memoirs of England's late prime minister Pierce Brosnan. During the process, he discovers evidence that Brosnan did not pass away naturally but was, in fact, murdered. Photo: Submitted