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 to acting in the mid-1990s after initially pursuing law. He began with minor roles in films like *Mrs Brown* and *Tomorrow Never Dies*. He gained recognition in 2000 for his role as Count Dracula in *Dracula 2000*. Butler also starred as Attila the Hun in the miniseries *Attila*, and appeared in films such as *Reign of Fire* and *Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life*. Notably, he played Erik, The Phantom in the 2004 musical *The Phantom of the Opera*.
1997: Small Roles in Film
In 1997, Gerard Butler began his acting career with small roles in productions like "Mrs. Brown" and the James Bond film "Tomorrow Never Dies".
1997: 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 continued his early acting career with a role in "Tale of the Mummy".
2000: Starred as Count Dracula
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 as Dracula in Dracula 2000
In 2000, Gerard Butler was cast as Dracula in "Dracula 2000".
2000: Won parts in various movies
In 2000, Gerard Butler won parts in Dracula 2000, Tomb Raider 2, Dear Frankie and Phantom of the Opera.
2000: Considered for role in The Phantom of the Opera
In 2000, director Joel Schumacher thought of Butler, whom he had seen earlier in the film Dracula 2000, to play the title character in the film "The Phantom of the Opera".
2001: Played Attila the Hun
In 2001, Gerard Butler played Attila the Hun in the miniseries "Attila".
2001: Cast in Coriolanus
In 2001, Gerard Butler was cast in a stage production of Coriolanus by Steven Berkoff.
2002: Appeared in Reign of Fire
In 2002, Gerard Butler appeared in "Reign of Fire" as Creedy.
2003: Starred in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
In 2003, Gerard Butler appeared in "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life" as Terry Sheridan and played Andre Marek in "Timeline".
2004: Starred in The Phantom of the Opera
In 2004, Gerard Butler starred as Erik, The Phantom, in Joel Schumacher's musical "The Phantom of the Opera".
2005: Starred in Dear Frankie, The Game of Their Lives, and Beowulf & Grendel
In 2005, Gerard Butler starred in "Dear Frankie", "The Game of Their Lives", and "Beowulf & Grendel".
2006: Starred in 300
In 2006, Gerard Butler starred as Spartan King Leonidas in "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" and "P.S. I Love You".
2007: Starred in 300
In 2007, Gerard Butler gained recognition for his portrayal of King Leonidas in Zack Snyder's film "300".
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", which he also co-produced.
2010: Started 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 Bounty Hunter" and did voice acting for "How to Train Your Dragon".
2010: Supported Mary's Meals
Since 2010, Gerard Butler has supported the charity Mary's Meals.
August 2011: Writing Songs 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: Played in Charity Match for Celtic F.C.
In 2011, Gerard Butler played in a charity match for Celtic F.C.
2011: Starred in Coriolanus and Machine Gun Preacher
In 2011, Gerard Butler portrayed Tullus Aufidius in "Coriolanus" and Sam Childers in "Machine Gun Preacher".
August 2013: Bought Stake in Jamaica Tallawahs
In August 2013, Gerard Butler bought an equity stake in the Jamaica Tallawahs cricket team.
2013: Starred in Olympus Has Fallen
In 2013, Gerard Butler starred as Mike Banning in the action thriller "Olympus Has Fallen".
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 Mary's Meals programme in Liberia.
2017: Starred in Geostorm
In 2017, Gerard Butler had a role in the action film "Geostorm".
2018: Starred in Den of Thieves
In 2018, Gerard Butler had a role in the action film "Den of Thieves".
2020: Starred in Greenland
In 2020, Gerard Butler had a role in the action film "Greenland".
2023: Starred in Plane
In 2023, Gerard Butler had a role in the action film "Plane".
2023: Promotional videos for Scotland rugby
In 2023, Gerard Butler was involved with promotional videos for the Scotland rugby.
January 2024: Reprising 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".
2025: Set release for live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon
In 2025, the live-action remake of "How to Train Your Dragon", in which Gerard Butler will reprise his role as Stoick, is set to be released.
