Gerard Butler

  • Name: Gerard Butler
  • Date of Birth: November 13, 1969
  • Place of Birth: Glasgow, Scotland
Mini-bio: Gerard James "Gerry" Butler is a Scottish actor and singer. His acting career began when he was approached in a London coffee shop by actor Steven Berkoff ,who gave him a stage role in the play "Corio...( read more)lanus". He decided to give up law school for acting. His film debut came in 1997 in the movie Mrs. Brown, but he gained notoriety with the 2001 made for TV movie Attila, followed by Wes Craven's Dracula 2000. Other film credits include Reign of Fire (2002), Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003), and The Phantom of the Opera (2004).
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Birth Name: Gerard James Butler

Date of Birth: 13 November 1969, Paisley, Scotland, UK
Gerard ButlerGERARD BUTLER

Born in Paisley, Scotland, to Margaret and Edward Butler, Gerard Butler was raised along with his older brother and sister in his hometown of Paisley, Scotland. He also spent some of his youth in Canada. His parents divorced when he was a child, and he and his siblings were raised primarily by their mother, who later remarried. He had no contact with his father between the ages of two and 16 years old, after which time they became close. His father passed away when Gerard was in his early 20s. Butler went on to attend Glasgow University, where he studied to be a lawyer/solicitor. He was president of the school's law society thanks to his outgoing personality and great social skills.
His acting career began when he was approached in a London coffee shop by actor Steven Berkoff, who later appeared alongside Butler in Attila (2001/I) (TV), who gave him a role in a stage production of Coriolanus. After that Butler decided to give up law for acting. He was cast as Ewan McGregor's character Renton in the stage adaptation of [i]Trainspotting[/i]. His film debut was as Billy Connolly's younger brother in _Mrs. Brown (1997)_. While filming the movie in Scotland, he was enjoying a picnic with his mother, near the River Tay, when they heard the shouts of a young boy who had been flixster.actor.pane.162659102 - flixsterswimming with a friend who was in some trouble. Butler jumped in and saved the young boy from drowning. He received a Certificate of Bravery from the Royal Humane Society. He felt he only did what anyone in the situation would have done.

His film career continued with small roles, first in the James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) and then Russell Mulcahy's Tale of the Mummy (1998). In 2000, Butler was cast in two breakthrough roles, the first being Attila the Hun in the USA film Attila (2001/I) (TV). The film's producers wanted a known actor to play the part but kept coming back to Butler's screen tests and decided he was their man. He had to lose the thick Scottish accent, but managed well. Around the time Attila was being filmed, casting was in progress for Wes Craven's new take on the Dracula legacy. Also wanting a known name, Butler wasn't much of a consideration. His unending tenacity and drive drove him to hounding the producers. Eventually, he sent them a clip of his portrayal of Attila. Evidently they saw something because Dracula 2000 (2000) was cast in the form of Butler. Attila's producers, thinking that his big-screen role might help with their own film's ratings, finished shooting a little early so he could get to work on Dracula 2000 (2000). Attila ended up being the second highest-rated TV movie ever. Following these two roles, Butler developed quite a fan base, an Internet site and began appearing on lists everywhere.

Since then he has appeared in Reign of Fire (2002) as Creedy and Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003) as Terry Sheridan, alongside Angelina Jolie. The role that garnered him most attention from both moviegoers and movie makers alike was that of Andre Marek in the big-screen adaptation of Michael Crichton's novel Timeline (2003). Butler played an archaeologist who was sent back in time with a team of students to rescue a colleague. Last year he appeared in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical The Phantom of the Opera (2004), playing the title character in theflixster.actor.pane.162659102 - flixster successful adaptation of the stage musical. It was a role that brought him much international attention. Other projects include Dear Frankie (2004), The Game of Their Lives (2005) and Beowulf & Grendel (2005).

In 2007 he starred as Spartan King Leonidas in the Warner Bros. production 300 (2006), based on the Frank Miller graphic novel, and Butterfly on a Wheel (2007) co-starring Pierce Brosnan and Maria Bello, which aired on network TV under the title Shattered. He most recently starred in P.S. I Love You (2007) with Academy Award-winner Hilary Swank .

In 2007, he appeared in Nim's Island (2008) and RocknRolla (2008), and recently completed the new Mark Neveldine / Brian Taylor film Gamer (2009). His latest film The Ugly Truth (2009) co-starring Katherine Heigl was released 24 July 2009.
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VITAL STATS

Gerard Butler Information: Has a father called Edward Butler,has a mother called Margaret Butler,has a sister called Lynn Butler and has a brother called Brian Butler.
Eye color: Grey-green but often appear blue onscreen
Height: 6' 2" (1.88 m)
Nickname(s):Gerry
Notable feature(s): His smile
Education: went to Glasgow University Law School where he studied to be a lawyer/solicitor
Family: Edward Butler (father), Margaret Butler (mother), Lynn Butler (older sister), and Brian Butler (older brother)
Resides in: London (primary residence), New York (owns a loft/apartment here), and Los Angeles (where he spends most of his time)
Religious affiliations: Catholic
Political affiliation:
Personal interests/hobbies: football (soccer), horse riding, skiing, water skiing
Charities/Causes:
Other: Is currently single, but has dated Rosario Dawson (2007), Josie D'Arby, and Yuliya Mayarchuk (both in 2005). Has a pug named Lolita, which he adopted in 2006.


- Did not see his father from the age of 2 until he turned 16.
- Had the rock-and-roll voice that Andrew Lloyd Webber always wanted to hear as the Phantom.
- He has quickly gained a reputation as one of the nicest actors around, as he always takes time to socialize with fans and hangs out with crew members as much as co-stars on film sets.
- Prefers to be called Gerry. He does this because he notices that many people (especially Americans) struggle with pronouncing "Gerard".
- His favorite actor is Christian Bale, with who he played together in Reign of Fire.
- Is constantly trying to quit smoking employing the use of hypnotism, patches, lasers and most general methods. He did quit for six months while filming 300, but started again towards the end of filming.

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Personal Quotes:

* On his new acting career: "[During] some of the most miserable periods of my life, people thought I was very happy. And now that I'm actually happier, I don't have to show it. I'm more comfortable with myself."

* In Scotland I'm just like a lot of other guys, but in America I'm seen as a very strong, masculine guy.

* On solitude: I love to spend a lot of time on my own. I can seriously go into my own head and often love to let myself travel where I don't know where I'm going. I always felt that that was his kind of form of escape, in a way.

* [On his family back home in Scotland] I go home and they'll cook Christmas ­dinner, and she's like, 'C'mon, give a hand, come on, wash the dishes or put the dishes away.' And I'm like, 'Mom, I am a major Hollywood movie star, I can't be doing this. It's embarrassing.'
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Last update: Sep 20 2009, 3:39 PM EDT by Ssscilla (content history | content tools) (help)
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  • TragicAsASlaughterhouse
    TragicAsASlaughterhouse
    "Never saw Phantom.
    I totally agree he is very, extremely handsome and sexy.

    I have watched most of his movies, 300, Reign of Fire, and the one where he dies and his wife goes to Scotland. Such a romantic story. But I can't Remember the name... "

    The film is called PS I love,
    and it is not his best.
    you MUST see Phantom!!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
    posted 10 hours ago
  • Onedawoman7
    Onedawoman7
    Never saw Phantom.
    I totally agree he is very, extremely handsome and sexy.

    I have watched most of his movies, 300, Reign of Fire, and the one where he dies and his wife goes to Scotland. Such a romantic story. But I can't Remember the name...

    posted 1 day ago
  • victoriaanciso
    victoriaanciso
    i loved the movie p.s. i love you.i wish it could have been like for me when i lost my loved one a few years back, it would have been much easier for me . i know it
    posted 1 day ago
  • Honeymine1
    Honeymine1
    So far, I have only seen Gerard ( Gerry ) Butler, in one movie. It was P.S. I Love You. I don't remember any movie that I have ever seen, that has had the effect on me, like this one. So far, I have seen it four times. And, I plan on seeing it again. All of the actors and actresses did a wonderful job. in this movie seemed to me, to be so beliveable. It's like reading a wonderful book. And, every time you read it, you get even more out of it. I like the character, that Gerry played. I wish I had met that type of man a long time ago. Ana from Tacoma, Wa.
    posted 16 days ago
  • phantomlovingchick
    phantomlovingchick
    Gerry you are an awesome ator. I look forward to seeing your other movies, which I own most of them. I LOVE YOU GERRY!
    posted 34 days ago
  • xobabygreekox
    xobabygreekox
    This is one yummy scottish man<3 :D
    posted 38 days ago
  • lucynechita
    lucynechita
    Very good actor!I love his accent!
    posted 48 days ago
  • drummergirlmvp
    drummergirlmvp
    He created hotness!!!! though i haven't seen 300 but he was great!! LOVE HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    posted 59 days ago
  • ariadne104
    ariadne104
    Yes, we all like his acting, we all love his image but it's the beer slinging, cussing out people bothering him and his taking a quiet moment that make me smile. Dont stop keeping yourself real Gerry and enjoy your time and your life
    posted 63 days ago
  • freein13
    freein13
    Gosh gerard is f-i-n-e! i saw him in the ugly truth and it was halarious!! (: he has ah-mazin eyes and a great smile. i love him! <333
    posted 77 days ago
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