Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Gerard Butler
Discover the career path of Gerard Butler, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Gerard Butler is a Scottish actor and film producer. Initially studying law, he transitioned to acting in the mid-1990s, securing minor roles in films like *Mrs Brown* and *Tomorrow Never Dies*. His early roles included Count Dracula in *Dracula 2000* and Attila the Hun in the *Attila* miniseries. He subsequently appeared in films such as *Reign of Fire*, *Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life*, and *Timeline*. A significant role came in 2004 when he starred as Erik, The Phantom, in *The Phantom of the Opera*.
1997: Early Acting Roles
In 1997, Gerard Butler began his acting career with small roles in productions such as Mrs Brown and the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies.
1997: Small Role in Tomorrow Never Dies
In 1997, Gerard Butler continued his film career with a small role in the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies.
1997: Film Debut in Mrs Brown
In 1997, Gerard Butler made his film debut as Billy Connolly's character's younger brother in Mrs Brown.
1998: Role in Tale of the Mummy
In 1998, Gerard Butler continued his early acting career with a role in Tale of the Mummy.
2000: Move to Los Angeles
At age 30, in 2000, Gerard Butler moved to Los Angeles, where he secured roles in films such as Dracula 2000, Tomb Raider 2, Dear Frankie and Phantom of the Opera.
2000: Starring Role in Dracula 2000
In 2000, Gerard Butler starred as Count Dracula in the gothic horror film Dracula 2000, marking a significant role in his early career.
2000: Cast in Breakthrough Roles
In 2000, Gerard Butler was cast in two breakthrough roles: Attila the Hun in the American TV miniseries Attila and Dracula in Dracula 2000.
2000: Consideration for Phantom of the Opera Role
In 2000, director Joel Schumacher considered Gerard Butler, after seeing him in Dracula 2000, for the title character in The Phantom of the Opera.
2001: Role in Attila
In 2001, Gerard Butler played Attila the Hun in the American TV miniseries Attila after producers chose him despite initially wanting a more known actor.
2001: Role in Coriolanus stage production
In 2001, Gerard Butler was cast by Steven Berkoff in a stage production of Coriolanus.
2003: Roles in Lara Croft and Timeline
In 2003, Gerard Butler appeared in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life and starred in the science fiction film Timeline.
2004: The Phantom of the Opera
In 2004, Gerard Butler played Erik, The Phantom in Joel Schumacher's musical The Phantom of the Opera.
2005: Roles in Dear Frankie, The Game of Their Lives, and Beowulf & Grendel
In 2005, Gerard Butler appeared in Dear Frankie, The Game of Their Lives, and Beowulf & Grendel.
2006: Breakthrough Role in 300
In 2006, Gerard Butler gained wider recognition for his portrayal of King Leonidas in Zack Snyder's fantasy war film 300.
2006: Starred in 300
In 2006, Gerard Butler starred as Spartan King Leonidas in the Warner Bros. production 300, which is often described as his breakthrough role.
2007: Appeared in Butterfly on a Wheel and P.S. I Love You
In 2007, Gerard Butler appeared in Butterfly on a Wheel, also known as Shattered, and in the romantic comedy P.S. I Love You with Hilary Swank.
2008: Appeared in Nim's Island and RocknRolla
In 2008, Gerard Butler appeared in Nim's Island and RocknRolla.
2009: Starred in Gamer, The Ugly Truth, and Law Abiding Citizen
In 2009, Gerard Butler starred in Gamer, The Ugly Truth, and Law Abiding Citizen, also co-producing the latter.
2010: Voice Acting in How to Train Your Dragon
In 2010, Gerard Butler began lending his voice to the How to Train Your Dragon franchise.
2010: Starred in The Bounty Hunter and How to Train Your Dragon
In 2010, Gerard Butler starred in the action/comedy The Bounty Hunter with Jennifer Aniston and provided voice acting for How to Train Your Dragon as Stoick the Vast.
2010: Supported Mary's Meals
Since 2010, Gerard Butler has supported the charity Mary's Meals.
August 2011: Writing Songs and Recording an Album
In August 2011, while filming Playing for Keeps, Gerard Butler was writing songs and in the process of recording an album, dismissing gossip reports about Marilyn Manson and Johnny Depp's involvement.
2011: Played in Charity Match for Celtic F.C.
In 2011, Gerard Butler played in a charity match for Celtic F.C., a football club he has supported since childhood.
2011: Roles in Coriolanus and Machine Gun Preacher
In 2011, Gerard Butler portrayed Tullus Aufidius in the film Coriolanus and Sam Childers in the action biopic Machine Gun Preacher.
2013: Starred in Olympus Has Fallen
In 2013, Gerard Butler starred as Secret Service agent Mike Banning in the action thriller Olympus Has Fallen, alongside Aaron Eckhart and Morgan Freeman, and broke two bones in his neck during filming.
2014: Reprised Voice Role in How to Train Your Dragon 2
In 2014, Gerard Butler reprised his voice role as Stoick in How to Train Your Dragon 2.
2014: Visited Mary's Meals Programme in Liberia
In 2014, Gerard Butler visited the international development charity Mary's Meals programme in Liberia.
2017: Role in Geostorm
In 2017, Gerard Butler had an action film role in Geostorm.
2018: Role in Den of Thieves
In 2018, Gerard Butler had an action film role in Den of Thieves.
2018: Starred in Hunter Killer
Late in 2018, Gerard Butler starred as submarine captain Commander Joe Glass in the film Hunter Killer.
2023: Role in Plane
In 2023, Gerard Butler had an action film role in Plane.
January 2024: To Reprise Role in Live-Action How to Train Your Dragon
In January 2024, it was announced that Gerard Butler would reprise his role as Stoick in the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon, set to be released in 2025.
2025: Release of Live-Action How to Train Your Dragon
The live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon, in which Gerard Butler will reprise his role as Stoick, is scheduled for release in 2025.
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