Gary Lewis
A compact actor whose features were dominated by his blue eyes, Gary Lewis was one of an increasing number of Scottish performers who began making a mark on world cinema in the 1990s. Whether called upon to play an alcoholic security guard, a grief-stricken striking miner or a sanctimonious sibling, Lewis could be counted on to create indelible portraits that linger in audiences' memories long after the lights have come up. Born and raised in the tough Easterhouse section of Glasgow, Lewis described in interviews the dichotomy of his upbringing: his parents stressed the value of education, yet he his formal studies were spotty at best. When he graduated, he lacked a sense of purpose, taking a job as a roadsweeper to earn a living. Later, Lewis found employment in the local library. Encouraged by his brother, he read voraciously and thought about pursuing a career as an actor. lthough he had pursued amateur theatrics, Lewis was 32 when he committed to showbiz, joining Robert Carlyle's newly formed Raindog Theatre. His career received a boost when he was befriended by actor-director Peter Mullan whom he met at a socialist lecture. Mullan hired Lewis for a role in the short "Close" which began filming in 1991 but took some three years to complete. By that time, both actors had appeared in "Shallow Grave" (1994). Lewis went on to act in Mullan's subsequent shorts "Good Day for the Bad Guys" (1995) and the award-winning "Fridge" (1996). Lewis joined director Kenneth Loach's unofficial stock company lending support to his two mentors in separate films: with Carlyle, he co-starred in "Carla's Song" (1996), while he essayed a recovering alcoholic alongside Mullan in "My Name Is Joe" (1998). In between, Mullan cast him as the over-righteous, somewhat dimwitted elder sibling Thomas in "Orphans" (1997), a blistering examination of a dysfunctional family. Lewis' exceptional performance was one of the film's highlights. He went on to co-star with Max Beesley in "The Match" (1999; released on video in USA in 2001) before landing his international breakthrough part as the father of a young boy who wants to become a ballet dancer in "Billy Elliot" (2000). Lewis delivered a multi-layered turn as a man coping with grief over the death of his wife, a violent strike that threatens his livelihood and the struggles of raising two sons. The actor rounded out his banner year teaming with Irish actor Sean McGinley in "What Where," a 12-minute short film of Samuel Beckett's play, and supporting Michael Caine as a boxing coach who may or may not have been involved in a murder in "Shiner" (screened at the San Sebastian Film Festival). Lewis increased his American exposure with co-starring roles in Martin Scorsese's "Gangs of New York" (2002) and Sally Potter's "Yes" (2004). After several years working steadily in British film, Lewis moved to television with a supporting role as Colum MacKenzie in the romantic fantasy "Outlander" (Starz 2014- ).
Photos
Gary Lewis
Filmography
Movies
Credit | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Stella | Lord Rig (Character) | - | 2022 |
33% |
|
My Son | Inspector Roy (Character) | - | 2021 |
73% |
|
Falling for Figaro | Unknown (Character) | $35.8K | 2020 |
86% |
|
The Keeper | Jock Thompson (Character) | - | 2018 |
84% |
|
The Vanishing | Kenny (Character) | - | 2018 |
93% |
|
Catch Me Daddy | Unknown (Character) | - | 2014 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Something Good: The Mercury Factor | Unknown (Character) | - | 2013 |
31% |
|
Not Another Happy Ending | Benny Lockhart (Character) | - | 2013 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The Strange Case of Wilhelm Reich | Dr. Cameron (Character) | - | 2012 |
No Score Yet |
|
Mo | Adam Ingram (Character) | - | 2010 |
70% |
|
Valhalla Rising | Kare (Character) | $17.5K | 2009 |
No Score Yet |
|
Blessed | Howie (Character) | - | 2008 |
No Score Yet |
|
Dorothy Mills | Pastor Ross (Character) | - | 2008 |
No Score Yet |
|
Cargo | Herman (Character) | - | 2006 |
82% |
|
True North | The Skipper (Character) | - | 2006 |
15% |
|
Eragon | King Hrothgar (Character) | $75.0M | 2006 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The Rocket Post | Jimmy Roach (Character) | - | 2006 |
74% |
|
Merry Christmas | Palmer (Character) | - | 2005 |
43% |
|
Goal! The Dream Begins | Mal Braithwaite (Character) | $4.3M | 2005 |
No Score Yet |
|
Supervolcano | Unknown (Character) | - | 2005 |
No Score Yet |
|
Yasmin | Detective (Character) | - | 2004 |
52% |
|
Yes | Billy (Character) | $396.0K | 2004 |
88% |
|
Ae Fond Kiss ... | Danny (Character) | - | 2004 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | My Brother Is a Dog | Antiquitätenhändler (Character) | - | 2004 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Niceland | Max (Character) | - | 2004 |
No Score Yet |
|
Skagerrak | Willy (Character) | - | 2003 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Warrior Queen | Magior the Shaman (Character) | - | 2003 |
No Score Yet |
|
Pure | Detective Inspector French (Character) | $102.0K | 2002 |
No Score Yet |
|
The Escapist | Ron (Character) | - | 2002 |
72% |
|
Gangs of New York | McGloin (Character) | - | 2002 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The Many Trials of One Jane Doe | Jeremy Sharp (Character) | - | 2002 |
46% |
|
Shiner | Vic (Character) | - | 2000 |
85% |
|
Billy Elliot | Dad (Character) | $22.0M | 2000 |
No Score Yet |
|
Postmortem | Wallace (Character) | - | 1998 |
89% |
|
My Name Is Joe | Shanks (Character) | $346.7K | 1998 |
47% |
|
Orphans | Thomas (Character) | $49.5K | 1998 |
No Score Yet |
|
The Princess Stallion | Rab (Character) | - | 1997 |
88% |
|
Carla's Song | Sammy (Character) | $18.4K | 1996 |
72% |
|
Shallow Grave | Visitor (Character) | $1.7M | 1995 |
TV
Credit | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
90% | 87% | Outlander | Colum MacKenzie (Character) | 2014-2019 2024 |
No Score Yet | 75% | The Bay | Vinnie Morrison (Character) | 2022-2024 |
69% | 72% | Vigil | Colin Robertson (Character) | 2023 |
97% | 92% | It's a Sin | Duncan Finch (Character) | 2021 |
84% | 82% | His Dark Materials | Thorold (Character) | 2019 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Retribution | Alastair (Character) | 2016 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Stonemouth | Mike MacAvett (Character) | 2015 |
85% | 88% | The Adventures of Merlin |
Alator (Character), Unknown (Guest Star) |
2011-2012 |
100% | 67% | Prime Suspect | Unknown (Character) | 2006 |