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 to acting in the mid-1990s. He began with minor roles in films like *Mrs. Brown* and *Tomorrow Never Dies*. He gained prominence in 2000 as Count Dracula in *Dracula 2000*. Butler played Attila the Hun in a miniseries, and appeared in films such as *Reign of Fire*, *Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life*, and *Timeline*. He is also known for his role as Erik, The Phantom in *The Phantom of the Opera* (2004).
1997: Role in Tomorrow Never Dies
In 1997, Gerard Butler had a small role in the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies.
1997: Early Film Roles
In 1997, Gerard Butler had small roles in productions such as Mrs Brown and the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies.
1997: Film Debut in Mrs Brown
In 1997, Gerard Butler's film debut was as Billy Connolly's character's younger brother in Mrs Brown.
1998: Role in Tale of the Mummy
In 1998, Gerard Butler appeared in Russell Mulcahy's Tale of the Mummy.
2000: Move to Los Angeles
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 as Count Dracula
In 2000, Gerard Butler starred as Count Dracula in the gothic horror film Dracula 2000.
2000: Casting in Attila and Dracula 2000
In 2000, Gerard Butler was cast in two breakthrough roles, Attila the Hun in the American TV miniseries Attila and as Dracula in Dracula 2000.
2000: Butler's role in Dracula 2000
In 2000, director Joel Schumacher saw Gerard Butler in the film Dracula 2000, which led to considering him for The Phantom of the Opera.
2001: Role in Attila
In 2001, Gerard Butler played Attila the Hun in the miniseries Attila.
2001: Appearance in stage production of Coriolanus
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: Starring in The Phantom of the Opera
In 2004, Gerard Butler played Erik, The Phantom in Joel Schumacher's musical The Phantom of the Opera.
2005: Other projects that followed
In 2005, Gerard Butler worked on other projects including Dear Frankie, The Game of Their Lives and Beowulf & Grendel.
2006: Portrayal of King Leonidas in 300
In 2006, Gerard Butler gained wider recognition for his portrayal of King Leonidas in Zack Snyder's fantasy war film 300.
2006: Starring in 300
In 2006, Gerard Butler starred as Spartan King Leonidas in the film 300, which is often described as his breakthrough role.
2007: Roles in Butterfly on a Wheel and P.S. I Love You
In 2007, Gerard Butler appeared in Butterfly on a Wheel and in the romantic comedy P.S. I Love You.
2008: Appearances 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: Voice acting in 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 did voice acting for the animated film How to Train Your Dragon.
2010: Supporting Mary's Meals charity
Since 2010, Gerard Butler has supported the charity Mary's Meals.
August 2011: Butler 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: Playing in a 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 military leader 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 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: Visiting Mary's Meals Programme in Liberia
In 2014, Gerard Butler visited the international development charity Mary's Meals programme in Liberia.
2017: Action film role in Geostorm
In 2017, Gerard Butler had an action film role in Geostorm.
2018: Action film role in Den of Thieves
In 2018, Gerard Butler had an action film role in Den of Thieves.
2018: Starring in Hunter Killer
In late 2018, Gerard Butler starred as submarine captain Commander Joe Glass in the film Hunter Killer.
2020: Starring in Greenland
In 2020, after release delays due to COVID-19, Gerard Butler starred in Greenland.
2023: Action film 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, set to be released in 2025.
2025: Upcoming release of the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon
The live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon where Gerard Butler reprises his role as Stoick, is slated to be released in 2025.
Mentioned in this timeline
California is a U S state on the Pacific Coast...
Los Angeles California's most populous city and Southern California's hub...
Football encompasses a variety of team sports centered around advancing...
Jamaica is an island country located in the Caribbean It...
Michigan is a state in the Great Lakes region of...
Trains are a connected series of vehicles traveling on railway...
Trending
1 year ago Devin Fitzgerald, Key WR Target, Visits UCLA; Potential Rams Interest Highlighted.
3 months ago Makai Lemon aims Giants youth role, shines at Combine, Jets eyes superstar potential.
2 months ago Gas prices fluctuate, affected by state taxes, global factors, and Supreme Court rulings.
1 month ago Cowboys' Draft: 7-Round Mock, Picks Analysis, and 2026 Draft Buzz with Clinton.
Scott Cameron Pelley is a highly accomplished American journalist who has dedicated over three decades to CBS News He gained...
6 months ago OnlyFans Model Bonnie Blue Detained in Bali for 'Bangbus' Tour Stunt.
Popular
Ken Paxton is an American politician and lawyer serving as...
Graham Cunningham Platner is an American oyster farmer and Marine...
Michael Joseph Jackson the King of Pop was a highly...
William Franklin Graham III known as Franklin Graham is an...
Blackpink is a South Korean girl group formed by YG...
E Jean Carroll is an American journalist author and advice...