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Ewan McGregor Profile |
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Birth Date:
March 31, 1971
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Birth Place:
Crieff, Perthshire, Scotland, UK
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Birth
Name:
Ewan Gordon McGregor
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Height:
5'10½"
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Biography |
Ewan McGregor (born 31 March 1971 in Crieff, Perthshire to
James McGregor and Carol Lawson) is a Scottish film actor
who has had significant success in both mainstream and "art
house" movies. McGregor attended the Guildhall School of
Music and Drama.
Ewan McGregor came to prominence through his role as the
heroin addict Renton in the film version of Irvine Welsh's
Trainspotting (1996). This role followed hard on his movie
debut performance in Danny Boyle's 1994 film Shallow Grave.
McGregor has also been featured as the male romantic lead in
such Hollywood films as Moulin Rouge! and Down With Love,
and in the British film Little Voice. He received excellent
reviews for his performance in the very grim British film
Young Adam (2003), which co-starred Tilda Swinton.
He took on the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars
prequel trilogy, originally made famous by Alec Guinness in
the original Star Wars films.
Ewan was also the voice of the lovable robot, "Rodney
Copperbottom" in the 2005 animated feature Robots, which
also featured the voices of Halle Berry, Robin Williams and
Mel Brooks, among others.
A keen motorcyclist since his youth, McGregor undertook a
marathon motorcycle trip with his friend, Charley Boorman
(son of famed Irish-based British director John Boorman), in
2004. From mid-April to the end of July, they travelled from
London to New York, via central Europe, Ukraine, Russia,
Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Siberia and Canada, for a cumulative
distance of 18,887 miles (30,395 km). The only sections of
the trip not undertaken by motorcycle were 580 miles by
train in Siberia, due to lack of roads, and a 2505 mile
flight from Magadan, Siberia to Anchorage, Alaska. The trip
formed the basis of a TV series and a best-selling book,
both called Long Way Round.
He is currently starring alongside Jane Krakowski, Douglas
Hodge and Jenna Russell in the Donmar Warehouse production
of Guys and Dolls in London, at the Piccadilly Theatre. He
has played the role to much critical acclaim and received
the LastMinute.com award for Best Actor in 2005.
McGregor is married to Eve Mavrakis, a French production
designer whom he met while filming McGregor's guest
appearance on the British television series Kavanagh QC.
They were married in 1995 and have two daughters, Clara
Mathilde McGregor and Esther Rose McGregor. |
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Other
Information |
Former roommate of Jude Law.
Ranked #36 in Empire (UK) magazine's "The Top 100 Movie
Stars of All Time" list. [October 1997]
Nephew of Denis Lawson.
Daughters, Clara Mathilde and Esther Rose.
Born at 3:45pm-CET
He met his wife while filming for _"Kavanagh QC" (1994)_ .
Was originally up for the lead role in The Beach (2000),
which would have reunited him with director Danny Boyle and
screenwriter John Hodge who collaborated with McGregor on
Shallow Grave (1994), Trainspotting (1996) and A Life Less
Ordinary (1997). The role went to Leonardo DiCaprio. While
McGregor blames studio influence for the casting descision
he has not spoken to either Boyle nor Hodge since.
Originally auditioned for the role of Mercutio in the 1996
film Romeo + Juliet (1996). He later got his chance to work
with "Romeo" director Baz Luhrmann when he was cast as
Christian in Moulin Rouge! (2001).
In the film Moulin Rouge! (2001) McGregor sang alongside
Nicole Kidman.
Was presented with an honorary doctorate from the University
of Ulster at a graduation ceremony in Belfast, Northern
Ireland. [5 July 2001]
His first name is pronounced "you-in".
He says that he was inspired to get into show business by
his uncle, actor Denis Lawson. Lawson played Wedge Antilles
in Episodes 4-6 of Star Wars.
Daughter Esther Rose born 7 November 2001 in London,
England, UK.
Slated to start filming 'Nautic' in Jamaica with Heath
Ledger in a couple of months. However Ted Demme, who was
picked to direct the film died suddenly at the age of 38
from a heart attack while playing basketball.
Early career dedicated almost exclusively to indie,
low-budget, and non-feature films. When cast as Obi-wan
Kenobi in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999),
an interviewer reminded him of his "aversion" to major
films, and he replied "I know what I said, but, hey! This is
Star Wars!"
Ewan MacGregor ranked eighth in the 2001 Orange Film Survey
of greatest British actors.
Born on the same exact day as Isobel Thomas, the "assistant
to producer" on Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
(1999), in which Ewan starred.
His brother Colin is a Royal Air Force pilot
Parents are James & Carol McGregor - both are teachers
Studied Alec Guinness' films in preparation for his role as
Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
(1999) and to ensure accuracy in everything from his accent
to the pacing of his words.
Has a nephew (born 1999)
He studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in
London for three years.
Received the Film Actor Award for Moulin Rouge at The
Variety Club Showbusiness Awards 2002.
Was a student in the year-long theatre arts program at
Kirkcaldy College of Technology in the fall of 1988.
In 1987, after leaving school at age 16, he worked as a
stagehand at Perth Repertory Theatre and had small roles in
their productions.
He is a personal friend of Texas lead singer Sharleen
Spiteri.
His brother Colin is part of the RAF's Tornado display team
who are based at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland.
He and his uncle, Denis Lawson, have worked with two of the
same directors. Both have been in Star Wars films, directed
by George Lucas. His first film, Being Human (1993), was
directed by Bill Forsyth, who also directed Lawson in Local
Hero (1983).
Both he and Harrison Ford have worked for director Ridley
Scott between Star Wars films. Ford made Blade Runner (1982)
after Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980),
but before Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi
(1983). McGregor made Black Hawk Down (2001) shortly after
filming Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002),
and thus before Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
(2005).
Embarked on a motorcycle trip around the World along with
his friend and fellow actor Charley Boorman. [2004]
Was voted #9 in the Greatest Movie Stars Of All Time
(Channel 4)
Completed a trip from London to New York 'The Long Way
Round' by riding a motorbike east, via Europe, Mongolia,
Russia, Alaska and Canada to Manhattan over 115 days in
2004.
Was the original choice for the role of Jim in 28 Days
Later... (2002), directed by Danny Boyle who has worked with
Ewan three times previously (see above).
Ewan and his wife Eve have the same initials, even with her
maiden name.
When filming in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
(1999), he kept making the "Swoom" noise of the light saber
during his fights. George Lucas explained many times that
this would be added in by the special effects people later
on. Ewan said "I keep getting carried away."
Is a good friend of Naveen Andrews, star of the show "Lost"
(2004), from drama school.
While he usually takes his family along with him during his
movie shoots, he left them at home during the shoot of Young
Adam (2003)
Was the best man at Dougray Scott's wedding in 2000.
His Star Wars character, Obi-Wan Kenobi, goes by the call
sign Red Leader in Revenge of the Sith. Wedge Antilles, who
was played by his uncle, Denis Lawson, has the same call
sign in Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983).
Is very particular about his children being photographed or
seen on television. He strongly believes that just because
he is famous, that should not give anyone the right to
invade their privacy.
According to Stunt Coordinator Nick Gillard, he picked up
the light saber sword fighting style very quickly. In an
interview on the DVD to The Phantom Menace, Gillard
commented that Ewan was probably faster than anyone else who
was working on the film, including the stunt department.
Is a casual supporter of St Johnstone Football Club.
Refused to have his wife and kids visit him on the set of
Black Hawk Down (2001), because he felt the content was too
violent and too bloody for them to see. |
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IS CURRENTLY TAKING A MOTORCYCLE RIDE "LONG WAY DOWN" FROM SCOTLAND TO SOUTH AFRICA, ON A GOODWILL INSPECTION TOUR OF UNICEF HOSPITALS AND FACILITIES. HIS WIFE, EVE, IS JOINING HIM, ON HER OWN BIKE, FOR PART OF THE RIDE. FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO: LONGWAYDOWN.COM 07/24/07