Gerard Butler

Born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland on November 13, 1969, Gerard James Butler studied law at the University of Glasgow, serving as president of the law society before being fired from his legal traineeship just one week before qualifying as a lawyer. Embracing his dismissal as destiny, Butler moved to London to pursue acting. In 2004, director Joel Schumacher cast Butler as the titular lead in the lavish film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical "The Phantom of the Opera"; performing his own vocals, Butler's raw, rock-infused interpretation of the tragic masked composer won widespread acclaim. In 2006, Butler achieved global superstardom as King Leonidas in Zack Snyder's revolutionary graphic novel adaptation "300." Bulking up with grueling physical training, Butler delivered an electric, muscular performance that immortalized the battle cry "This is Sparta!" and grossed over $450 million worldwide. He showcased versatile romantic comedy charm opposite Hilary Swank in "P.S. I Love You" (2007) and established a massively successful action franchise starring as Secret Service agent Mike Banning in "Olympus Has Fallen" (2013), "London Has Fallen" (2016), and "Angel Has Fallen" (2019). Beyond cinema, Butler serves as a passionate global ambassador for Mary's Meals, an international charity providing daily nutritious school meals to over two million impoverished children across Malawi, Liberia, Haiti, and India.