Famous Scottish Film & Theater Personalities

The first person to play James Bond on screen, Scottish actor Sean Connery went on to star in seven films of the franchise. The role catapulted him to international fame, but this charismatic actor was not restricted to his iconic role. He also tasted critical and commercial success in other productions including Murder on the Orient Express and The Untouchables

A critically acclaimed actor, known for working in many small independent films, Ewan McGregor’s first notable film was Shallow Grave, followed by Trainspotting which propelled him to stardom. Films like Emma, A Life Less Ordinary and Moulin Rouge and the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi in the three Star Wars prequels, plus the television series Fargo are his other notable works.

A frequent performer in West End productions, James McAvoy has also showcased his acting skills in popular Hollywood movies, such as the X-Men series and Split. Although not an adventurer, he did a BASE jump to help raise money for a charity named Retrak, which helps Ugandan children.

Billy Connolly is a retired stand-up comedian, actor, and musician. Known for his observational and idiosyncratic comedy, Connolly is widely considered one of the most influential and greatest stand-up comedians of all time. He has also worked with the British charity, Comic Relief and has appeared in a documentary and a live stage show for the charity.

Kelly Macdonald is a Scottish actress known for playing Diane Coulston in the 1996 black comedy-drama film, Trainspotting. Kelly Macdonald received critical appreciation for portraying Gina in the made-for-television drama film, The Girl in the Café, for which she won the Primetime Emmy Award. Eastwood High School, where she studied, has a theatre and drama studio named in her honor.

David McCallum is a Scottish musician and actor who gained recognition for portraying Illya Kuryakin in the popular spy fiction TV series The Man from U.N.C.L.E. He gained international recognition for playing Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard in the action police procedural TV series NCIS. David McCallum has also contributed as a writer, publishing a novel titled Once a Crooked Man.

Peter Capaldi is a Scottish filmmaker and actor. He is best known for playing Malcolm Tucker in the British comedy TV series The Thick of It. Also known for his charity work, Capaldi joined hands with other celebrities to help raise awareness about the ill-effects of the global refugee crisis. He is also a patron of the Aberlour Child Care Trust.

Rose Leslie is a popular Scottish actress who gained international fame after portraying Ygritte in one of the most popular TV series of all time, Game of Thrones. Thanks to her popularity, she serves as an icon and inspiration to several aspiring Scottish actresses and models.

Alan Cumming is a Scottish-American actor, filmmaker, comedian, and singer. A Tony Award winner, Cumming has contributed immensely to the development of the Scottish Youth Theatre, of which he is a patron. An openly bisexual actor, Cumming's work as an LGBT rights activist has earned him several awards, including the Vito Russo Award and HRC's Humanitarian Award.

Dougray Scott is a Scottish actor known for playing important roles in popular American films, such as Mission: Impossible 2, Hitman, and Ever After. Scott was hand-picked by Tom Cruise to portray the antagonist in Mission: Impossible 2, which says a lot about his acting skills. He was also the original choice to play Wolverine in X-Men, a role he missed due to an injury.

Scottish actor Lindsay Duncan is known for her Tony- and Olivier Award-winning role in Private Lives. She came to be known as the star of many plays by playwright Harold Pinter. On TV, she has also played Barbara Douglas in G.B.H. and Servilia of the Junii in Rome.

Surprisingly, the antireligious actor Tom Conti was raised as a staunch Roman Catholic. He is said to be genetically linked to Napoléon Bonaparte. The theater, TV, and film actor has also written a novel and is known for his minor but impactful roles such Ross’s father-in-law in Friends.

Born to a Persian father and a Scottish mother, actor Emun Mohammedi, better known as Emun Elliott, had dropped out of a literature degree course to join the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. He later soared to fame with series such as Paradox and movies such as Prometheus.

Scottish actress Chloe Pirrie rose to fame with her role in the miniseries, The Game. Since then, she has appeared in several TV shows and films, playing versatile roles. She began acting in school and graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She won the Most Promising Newcomer at the British Independent Film Awards 2013.

Scottish-born Marianna Palka is best known for her towering frame and her award-winning direction in the film Good Dick, which she also wrote and starred in. She has also gained fame with her critically acclaimed films TriBeCa Neds and Bitch. She inspired the Academy Award-shortlisted documentary The Lion's Mouth Opens.