LimeFile: Gerard Butler

The Bounty star Gerard Butler

The Short Story: Gerard Butler

Birthday: November 13, 1969
Hometown: Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Famous For: His roles in the musical The Phantom of the Opera, the smash action/adventure hit 300, and the upcoming romantic comedy The Bounty with Jennifer Aniston (and his rumored relationship with Aniston)

Quick Scoop: Graduated with a degree in law; used to sing in a band called Speed; has a pug named Lolita
Awards: 2007 MTV Movie Awards: Best Fight, 300

Biography

Gerard James Butler was born on November 13, 1969 in Glasgow, Scotland to Edward Butler and Margaret Hanton. Soon after he was born, the family moved to Montreal, Canada until his parents split up and he moved back to Paisley, Scotland with his mother where he remained through school. Butler has three siblings: Lynn, Brian, and half brother Shaun.

Butler went to Glasgow University and graduated with a law degree but it wasn't long before he decided to pursue acting. Soon he landed roles in the plays Coriolanus and Trainspotting. He made his feature film debut in the 1997 movie Mrs. Brown co-starring Judi Dench and Billy Connolly. He also had a small role in the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies, though his part was eventually cut from the final cut. He then starred in a couple of independent films The Cherry Orchard, One More Kiss, and Harrison's Flowers.

Butler landed his first leading roles in two films released in 2000: the miniseries Attila and the feature film Dracula 2000. During this time he also starred in two UK series, Lucy Sullivan in Getting Married and The Jury.

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It was in 2003 and 2004 that Butler really started getting noticed in the United States. First, he starred opposite Angelina Jolie in Lara Croft Tomb Roader: The Cradle of Life. Second, he starred as the Phantom in the screen adaption of the hit Broadway musical The Phantom of the Opera.

After his profile was raised, Butler also landed roles in Timeline, Dear Frankie, The Game of Their Lives, and Beowulf & Grendel.

Butler's biggest film to date was the 2006 film adaption of Frank Miller's graphic novel, 300. The action movie made over $456 million worldwide.

In 2007, Butler co-starred with Hilary Swank in the romantic comedy P.S. I Love You. In 2008, he starred alongside Jodie Foster in the kid's adventure film Nim's Island. Later that same year, he starred in the Guy Ritchie-directed RocknRolla, a gangster film.

2008 found Butler co-starring with actress-of-the-moment, Katherine Heigl, in the romantic comedy, The Ugly Truth. The movie grossed more than $100 million worldwide. In September 2009, he starred in the fantasy thriller, Gamer.

Gerard Butler and Jennifer Aniston

The Irish/Scottish actor has a few more movies coming out later this year And over the next year. In October 2009, Butler stars in Law Abiding Citizen with Jamie Foxx. He also voices Stoick the Vast in the upcoming animated flick How to Train Your Dragon. In addition, he just finished filming the romantic comedy, The Bounty, due out in 2010 co-starring Jennifer Aniston.

In the past few months, Butler has been linked to The Bounty co-star Jennifer Aniston. Though both have denied a relationship, tabloid magazines continue to report on the pair and their rumored connection.

Latest Stories Featuring Gerard Butler
- Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler Are So Dating
- Gerard Butler Blasts his way Through 'Gamer'
- Gerard Butler Uses Fame To Get Out of Chores
- Gerard Butler and Jennifer Aniston 'not holding hands'
- Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler Are Dating Buddies
- Katherine Heigl: Gerard Butler Makes Women Pass Out