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 who transitioned from law studies to acting in the mid-1990s. He initially took on minor roles in films like *Mrs Brown* and *Tomorrow Never Dies*. Butler gained prominence in 2000 as Count Dracula in *Dracula 2000* and further recognition as Attila the Hun in the *Attila* miniseries. He continued to appear in films such as *Reign of Fire* and *Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life* before landing a leading role in the science fiction film *Timeline*. A notable role early in his career was as Erik, The Phantom in Joel Schumacher's 2004 musical *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, the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies.
1997: Small Role in Tomorrow Never Dies
In 1997, Gerard Butler had 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 had a small role in Russell Mulcahy's Tale of the Mummy.
2000: Moves to Los Angeles and wins parts in movies
At age 30, in 2000, Gerard Butler decided to move to Los Angeles, where he won parts in 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.
2000: Cast in Breakthrough Roles
In 2000, Gerard Butler was cast in two breakthrough roles, including Dracula in Dracula 2000.
2000: Dracula 2000
In 2000, Joel Schumacher saw Gerard Butler in the film Dracula 2000, which later led to Butler being cast in The Phantom of the Opera.
2001: Role in Attila
In 2001, Gerard Butler played Attila the Hun in the miniseries Attila.
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: Starring in 300
In 2006, Gerard Butler starred as Spartan King Leonidas in the Warner Bros. production 300.
2007: Roles in Butterfly on a Wheel and P.S. I Love You
In 2007, Gerard Butler appeared in Butterfly on a Wheel and P.S. I Love You.
2007: King Leonidas in 300
In 2007, Gerard Butler gained wider recognition for his portrayal of King Leonidas in Zack Snyder's fantasy war film 300.
2008: Roles in Nim's Island and RocknRolla
In 2008, Gerard Butler appeared in Nim's Island and RocknRolla.
2009: Roles in Gamer, The Ugly Truth, and Law Abiding Citizen
In 2009, Gerard Butler starred in Gamer, The Ugly Truth, and Law Abiding Citizen, which he also co-produced.
2010: How to Train Your Dragon Franchise
In 2010, Gerard Butler began lending his voice to the How to Train Your Dragon franchise.
2010: Roles in The Bounty Hunter and How to Train Your Dragon
In 2010, Gerard Butler starred in The Bounty Hunter and voiced Stoick the Vast in How to Train Your Dragon.
2010: Support for Mary's Meals
Since 2010, Gerard Butler has supported the charity Mary's Meals.
August 2011: Writing and Recording an Album
As of August 2011, Gerard Butler was writing songs and in the process of recording an album while filming Playing for Keeps.
2011: 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: Starring in Olympus Has Fallen
In 2013, Gerard Butler starred as Secret Service agent Mike Banning in the action thriller Olympus Has Fallen.
2014: Reprising 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: Visit to Mary's Meals Programme in Liberia
In 2014, Gerard Butler visited the 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: Starring in Hunter Killer
Late in 2018, Gerard Butler starred as Commander Joe Glass in the film Hunter Killer.
2020: Starring in Greenland
After release delays due to COVID-19, Gerard Butler starred in Greenland in 2020.
2023: Role in Plane
In 2023, Gerard Butler had an action film role in Plane.
January 2024: Reprising Role in Live-Action How to Train Your Dragon Remake
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.
2025: Release of Live-Action How to Train Your Dragon Remake
The live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon, featuring Gerard Butler, is set for release in 2025.
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