Scotland isn't just about whiskey, it's also the home country of many of Hollywood's top actors. This list of the best Scottish actors of all time has been ranked by the votes of film buffs and movie fans like you! When it comes to the all-time best Scottish actors in history, there are plenty or big names who could be considered the greatest and your votes will help decide.
Who are the all-time top Scottish actors? From greats like Sean Connery and Brian Cox to younger stars like James McAvoy, actors from Scotland are cast in all kind of films and have won numerous awards for their work on screen. Their characters and performances are second to none and many of the Scotsmen on this list are also among the best actors of all time.
This list features the greatest Scottish actors of all time including Alastair Sim, Robert Carlyle, Stanley Baxter, Sean Connery, James McAvoy, Gerard Butler, Alan Cumming, Ewan McGregor, and Billy Boyd. Don't see your favorite actor from Scotland? Add him below so other film fans can vote. Then, be sure to vote and rerank the list according to who you think are the best Scottish actors to have ever graced the screen.
- 31Airdrie, United Kingdom
The late Ian Bannen enjoyed a long-standing acting career marked by numerous acclaimed performances across film, television, and theater. Best known for roles in Waking Ned Devine and Braveheart, Bannen's incredible talent was recognized with a BAFTA Award and an Academy Award nomination during his lifetime.
- 32Edinburgh, Scotland, UKIan Charleson (11 August 1949 – 6 January 1990) was a Scottish stage and film actor. He is best known internationally for his starring role as Olympic athlete and missionary Eric Liddell, in the Oscar-winning 1981 film Chariots of Fire. He is also well known for his portrayal of Rev. Charlie Andrews in the 1982 Oscar-winning film Gandhi. Charleson was a noted actor on the British stage as well, with critically acclaimed leads in Guys and Dolls, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Fool for Love, and Hamlet, among many others. He performed numerous Shakespearean roles, and in 1991 the annual Ian Charleson Awards were established, particularly in honour of his final Hamlet. The awards reward the best classical stage performances in Britain by actors aged under 30. The Houghton Mifflin Dictionary of Biography describes Charleson as "a leading player of charm and power" and "one of the finest British actors of his generation". Alan Bates wrote that Charleson was "definitely among the top ten actors of his age group". Ian McKellen said Charleson was "the most unmannered and unactorish of actors: always truthful, always honest".Charleson was diagnosed with HIV in 1986, and died in 1990 at the age of 40. He requested that it be announced after his death that he had died of AIDS, in order to publicise the condition. This was the first celebrity death in the United Kingdom openly attributed to AIDS, and the announcement helped to promote awareness and acceptance of the disease.More Ian Charleson
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- 33Paisley, Scotland, UKJohn Bell is an actor.
- 34Paisley, United KingdomSteven William Moffat (; born 18 November 1961) is a Scottish television writer and producer. He is best known for his work as showrunner, writer and executive producer of two BBC One series: the science fiction television series Doctor Who, and the contemporary crime drama television series Sherlock, based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories. In 2015, Moffat was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his services to drama. Born in Paisley, Scotland, Moffat, the son of a teacher, was a teacher himself. His first television work was the teen drama series Press Gang. His first sitcom, Joking Apart, was inspired by the breakdown of his first marriage. Later in the 1990s, he wrote Chalk, inspired by his own experience as an English teacher. Moffat, a lifelong fan of Doctor Who, wrote the comedic sketch episode The Curse of Fatal Death for the Comic Relief charity telethon, which aired in early 1999. His early-2000s sitcom Coupling was based upon the development of his relationship with television producer Sue Vertue. In March 2004, Moffat was announced as one of the writers for the revived Doctor Who TV series. He wrote six episodes under executive producer Russell T Davies, which aired from 2005 to 2008. Moffat's scripts during this era won him three Hugo Awards, a BAFTA Craft Award, and a BAFTA Cymru Award. Between episodes, he wrote and produced the modern-day drama series Jekyll, based on the novella Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. In May 2008, it was announced that Moffat was replacing Davies as showrunner, lead writer and executive producer of Doctor Who. Around the same time, he dropped his contract with film director Steven Spielberg for a film trilogy based on artist Hergé's character Tintin. Part of the lone script he wrote was used in Spielberg's film The Adventures of Tintin, eventually released in 2011. Production on Sherlock's unaired pilot episode began in January 2009, while series 5 of Doctor Who—Moffat's first series as executive producer—began production the following July. Moffat won another Hugo for his writing as a Doctor Who showrunner, while his work as a Sherlock showrunner won him a BAFTA Craft Award and two Primetime Emmy Awards. In January 2016, Moffat announced he would be stepping down from running Doctor Who after six series. Sherlock's fourth and most recent series aired in January 2017. Moffat's last Doctor Who episode, "Twice Upon a Time", aired at Christmas in 2017. Moffat co-created Dracula, based on Bram Stoker's novel, which was commissioned by BBC One and Netflix and began production in March 2019.
- 35Glasgow, Scotland, UK
While Craig Ferguson might be best known for hosting The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, he has also demonstrated his acting abilities in numerous film and television projects such as The Drew Carey Show and How to Train Your Dragon. His wit, charm, and versatility have endeared him to fans around the world.
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- 36Trinafour, United KingdomAlastair Mackenzie (born 8 February 1970) is a Scottish actor from Perth.
- 37Glasgow, Scotland, UK
From his compelling performance in the crime drama Shetland to his role as Professor Nick Cutter in Primeval, Douglas Henshall has earned respect among Scottish actors for his ability to captivate audiences across genres. With an impressive resume that includes films like Orphans and The Salvation, Henshall continues to showcase his talents on screens big and small.
- 38Glasgow, Scotland, UK
A multi-talented performer with an extensive background in musical theater, John Barrowman gained widespread fame for playing Captain Jack Harkness on Doctor Who and its spinoff Torchwood. His charisma and talent have granted him a successful career across stage, screen, and music—making him one of Scotland's most versatile actors.
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- 39Glasgow, Scotland, UKDerek Riddell (born 11 January 1967) is a Scottish television and theatre actor. He is best known for the portrayal of Dr. Jamie Patterson in the Channel 4 television series No Angels. He has also guest starred in Doctor Who, Ugly Betty, Silent Witness and Waterloo Road.
- 40Scotland
From memorable roles in Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself to appearances on Game of Thrones as Jory Cassel, Jamie Sives has crafted a successful career spanning film, television, and theater. His distinctive screen presence combined with his ability to embody various characters makes him a standout among Scottish talents.
- 41Glasgow, Scotland
With his breakthrough role as Oliver Wood in the Harry Potter films, Sean Biggerstaff earned himself a devoted fanbase at an early age. Since then, he has continued to showcase his talents in indie films like Cashback and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein while remaining one of Scotland's most recognizable young actors.
- 42Glasgow, Scotland, UKSteve Valentine (born 26 October 1966) is a Scottish-American actor, musician, and magician who has performed on stage and screen but who is best known for his role as the eccentric Nigel Townsend on NBC's crime drama Crossing Jordan and as Harry Flynn in the critically acclaimed PlayStation 3 game Uncharted 2: Among Thieves as well as the voice of Alistair in BioWare's Dragon Age franchise. He also starred in the Disney XD sitcom I'm in the Band as Derek Jupiter until its 2011 cancellation.
- 43Edinburgh, Scotland, UKNicholas James Sebastian Rowe (born 22 November 1966) is a British actor. At the commencement of his career he appeared as the lead in the cinema film Young Sherlock Holmes (1985).
- 44Lerwick, Shetland Islands, ScotlandSteven Robertson (born 1 January 1977) is a Scottish actor who stars as Detective Sandy Wilson in the BBC One adaptation of Ann Cleeves's Shetland, filmed near where Robertson was born and brought up. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal as Michael Connelly, a young man with cerebral palsy in Inside I'm Dancing and for playing Dominic Rook in the popular BBC Three comedy-drama series Being Human. He has had roles in numerous television programs including Luther and The Bletchley Circle.
- 45Glenrothes, Scotland, UK
A charismatic performer with a commanding presence, Dougray Scott has made an impact in both film and television. Known for his roles in Mission: Impossible 2 as the villainous Sean Ambrose and Prince Charming in Ever After, Scott has continued to demonstrate incredible range while tackling diverse roles on acclaimed series such as Desperate Housewives and Hemlock Grove.
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- 46Aberdeen, Grampian, ScotlandDavid Rintoul (born David Wilson; 29 November 1948) is a Scottish stage and television actor. Rintoul was born in Aberdeen, Scotland. He studied at the University of Edinburgh, and won a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
- 47Bridgeton, Glasgow, Scotland
With an extensive career spanning stage, film, and television, David Hayman has become one of Scotland's most respected performers. Best known for roles in Sid and Nancy, Trial & Retribution, and Taboo, Hayman consistently delivers unforgettable performances marked by intensity and depth.
- 48Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, ScotlandColin Andrew Mochrie (; born November 30, 1957) is a Scottish-born Canadian actor producer and improvisational comedian, most famous for his appearances on the British and US versions of television improvisation show Whose Line Is It Anyway?More Colin Mochrie
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- 49Dundee, Scotland, UKSteven Brand (born 26 June 1969) is a Scottish actor. He made his American screen debut in Universal's The Scorpion King as Memnon, evil warlord and nemesis of Mathayus, played by The Rock. Following the success of his debut movie in the US, Brand’s work has included the HBO series The Mind of the Married Man, Stephen King's The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer, CSI, Human Target and more recently starring in the movies Treasure Raiders with David Carradine, Say It in Russian with Faye Dunaway, and XII. He is also known as the voice of Alexander Anderson from the anime series Hellsing and OVA Hellsing Ultimate, as well as the voice of Richard Hellsing in the OVA. He also appeared in the NCIS Season 2 episode, "Pop Life" as Ian Alfred "Bulldog" Hitch. He would later go on to guest in NCIS's spin-off series, NCIS: Los Angeles, playing Jon Craig in the episode, "Black Widow". In addition, he played Ned Baker, a fellow lawyer on Illinois' 8th Circuit with Abraham Lincoln, in the movie Saving Lincoln. Brand starred 2014 in the Drama horror film Echoes and was nominated at FilmQuest Cthulhu as Best Supporting Actor for this role.In 2016, he was nominated Saturn Award for Best Guest Starring Role on Television for appearance in Teen Wolf.
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Thomas Doherty
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James McArdle
Glasgow, ScotlandJames McArdle (born 3 April 1989) is a Scottish actor from Glasgow. - 52Edinburgh, ScotlandEmun Elliott is a Scottish actor, known for portraying Dr. Christian King in Paradox, Richie in Threesome, and John Moray in The Paradise.
- 53
Stuart Martin
Stuart Martin is an actor. - 54Scotland, HamiltonIan Buchanan (born 16 June 1957) is a Scottish television actor who has appeared on multiple American soap operas including Twin Peaks, General Hospital, Port Charles, The Bold and the Beautiful, All My Children, and Days of Our Lives.
- 55Edinburgh, Scotland
The late Alastair Sim's remarkable career spanned over four decades, during which he became one of Britain's most beloved actors. Perhaps best known for playing Ebenezer Scrooge in the 1951 adaptation of A Christmas Carol, Sim's extraordinary talent was also showcased in popular films such as The Belles of St. Trinian's and An Inspector Calls.
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- 56Glasgow, Scotland, UKRaymond Park (born 23 August 1974) is a Scottish actor, author and martial artist. He is best known for playing Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace and Solo: A Star Wars Story, Toad in X-Men, Snake-Eyes in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and G.I. Joe: Retaliation, and Edgar on Heroes.More Ray Park
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- 57Glasgow, Scotland, UKAngus Macfadyen (born 21 September 1963) is a Scottish actor. His roles include Robert the Bruce, both in Braveheart and again in the nonsequel Robert the Bruce, Vice-Counsel Dupont in Equilibrium, Jeff Denlon in the Saw franchise, Robert Rogers in the AMC historical drama Turn: Washington's Spies, McCreedy in Cameron Crowe's We Bought a Zoo, and biologist James Murray in The Lost City of Z. He has made appearances on several television series such as Californication, Criminal Minds and the final season of Chuck.
- 58Peterhead, Scotland, UK
Esteemed actor Peter Mullan is celebrated for a range of powerful performances throughout his career. From starring in acclaimed dramas like My Name Is Joe to lending his talents to blockbusters like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, Mullan's versatile acting abilities have earned him numerous awards and international praise.
- 59Forfar, Angus, ScotlandEnn Reitel (born 21 June 1950) is a Scottish actor, voice actor and impressionist who specializes in voice work. He is known for his voice-over work in video games, movies and TV shows. He is also known for providing additional voices for The Getaway: Black Monday, The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, The Secret World and Star Wars: The Old Republic – Rise of the Hutt Cartel.
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Lorne MacFadyen
Skye, ScotlandLorne MacFadyen is an actor.
