Brief Biography
Date of Birth: November 13, 1969
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Butler spent his first few years in Canada before returning with his family to Scotland. After his parents divorced, he remained with his mother for most of his childhood, reconnecting with his father in his mid-teens. Attending Glasgow University, Butler pursued the life of a lawyer/solicitor.
During his studies, however, he was approached by actor Stephen Berkoff in a London coffee shop. Berkoff gave him a stage role in the playCoriolanus, and Butler accepted. The thrill of performing made him decide to give up law school for a career in acting. Other stage performances to follow included playing the lead role in Renton, the stage adaptation of the feature film Trainspotting.
By 1997, Butler landed his first film role as Billy Connolly's younger brother in the movie Mrs. Brown (1997). His movie career continued with small roles in the James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) and Tale of the Mummy (1998).
When the 21st century hit, he found himself landing starring roles in the mini-series, Attila, playing the lead role; Wes Craven's feature film, Dracula 2000 (2000), playing Dracula; as well as roles in Reign of Fire (2002), Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003) and playing the Phantom inThe Phantom of the Opera (2004).
Since then, he's become one of Hollywood's leading actors, equally adept at comedies like The Ugly Truth (2009) and The Bounty Hunter (2010) as well as more dramatic fare, such as Law Abiding Citizen (2009). Some of his more recent films include the Sam Childers biopic Machine Gun Preacher (2011) and the Shakespeare film Coriolanus (2012).
Living in both London and Los Angeles, Butler spends his spare time playing football (soccer), horseback riding, skiing and water skiing. Currently single, he's been romantically linked to celebrities such as Kate Hudson and Jennifer Aniston.
Filmography:
Olympus Has Fallen (2013)
Movie 43 (2013)
Playing for Keeps (2012)
Chasing Mavericks (2012)
MachineGun Preacher (2011)
Coriolanus (2011)
The Bounty Hunter (2010)
P.S. I Love You (2007)
300 (2006)
The Gameof Their Lives (2005)
ThePhantom of the Opera (2004)
Timeline (2003)
LaraCroft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003)
Stage Appearances
- Coriolanus, Mermaid Theatre, 1995
- Mark Renton, Trainspotting, Ireland and Fringe Festival, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1996
- Snatch, Soho Theatre Company, 1998
- Dr. Cukrowicz, Suddenly Last Summer, Donmar Warehouse, London, 1999
- Also appeared as a street urchin, Oliver!, Kings Theatre, Glasgow,Scotland.
Awards
2008
Got nomination for Saturn Award
category Best Actor for 300 (2007)
2011
Got nomination for Annie Award
category Voice Acting in a Feature Production for How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
2008
Got nomination for Empire Award
category Best Actor for 300 (2007)
2007
Won MTV Movie Award
category Best Fight (vs. "The Uber Immortal" (The Spartan/Persian Battle)) for 300 (2007)
2007
Got nomination for MTV Movie Award
category Best Performance for 300 (2007)
2010
Got nomination for People's Choice Award
category Favorite Action Actor
2011
Got nomination for Razzie Award
category Worst Actor for The Bounty Hunter (2010)
2011
Got nomination for Razzie Award
category Worst Screen Couple / Worst Screen Ensemble for The Bounty Hunter (2010)
shared with Jennifer Aniston
Satellite Awards
2005
Got nomination for Golden Satellite Award
category Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical for The Phantom of the Opera (2004)
Taurus World Stunt Awards
2007
Won Taurus World Stunt Action Movie Star of the Year
2010
Got nomination for Teen Choice Award
category Choice Movie Actor: Romantic Comedy for The Ugly Truth (2009), The Bounty Hunter (2010)
Trivia:
External Links: