History of Gerard Butler in Timeline

Gerard Butler is a Scottish actor and film producer who transitioned to acting in the mid-1990s after studying law. He began with minor roles in films like *Mrs Brown* and *Tomorrow Never Dies*. Butler gained prominence in 2000 as Count Dracula in *Dracula 2000* and later portrayed Attila the Hun in a miniseries. He further appeared in *Reign of Fire*, *Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life*, and *Timeline*. A significant role was his portrayal of Erik, The Phantom, in the 2004 musical film *The Phantom of the Opera*.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

November 1969: Gerard Butler's Birth

Gerard James Butler was born on November 13, 1969. The event marks the birth of the Scottish actor and film producer.

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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. These roles marked his entry into the film industry.

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1997: 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, marking an early role in a major film franchise.

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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. This marked his first appearance in a feature film.

1998: Role in Tale of the Mummy

In 1998, Gerard Butler appeared in Russell Mulcahy's Tale of the Mummy, continuing to build his early film career.

2000: Starring Role in Dracula 2000

In 2000, Gerard Butler starred as Count Dracula in the gothic horror film Dracula 2000, which was a significant role early in his career.

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2000: Casting Breakthroughs

In 2000, Gerard Butler was cast in two breakthrough roles: Attila the Hun in the American TV miniseries Attila and Dracula in Dracula 2000, significantly advancing his career.

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2000: Move to Los Angeles

In 2000, at age 30, 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. This move was pivotal for his acting career.

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2000: Consideration for The Phantom of the Opera

In 2000, director Joel Schumacher considered Gerard Butler, whom he had seen in the film Dracula 2000, to play the title character in The Phantom of the Opera.

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2001: Role in Attila

In 2001, Gerard Butler played Attila the Hun in the American TV miniseries Attila. This role was a significant breakthrough in his career.

2002: Role in Reign of Fire

In 2002, Gerard Butler appeared in Reign of Fire as Creedy, expanding his presence in the film industry.

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, further establishing his career in diverse film genres.

2004: Role in The Phantom of the Opera

In 2004, Gerard Butler played Erik, The Phantom, in Joel Schumacher's musical The Phantom of the Opera, a significant role that showcased his versatility.

2005: Appearances in Dear Frankie, The Game of Their Lives, and Beowulf & Grendel

In 2005, Gerard Butler appeared in several projects, including Dear Frankie, The Game of Their Lives, and Beowulf & Grendel, adding to his diverse filmography.

2006: Starring 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. He trained with a high-intensity workout for four months prior to the film's shooting.

2007: Roles in Butterfly on a Wheel and P.S. I Love You

In 2007, Gerard Butler appeared in Butterfly on a Wheel, co-starring Pierce Brosnan and Maria Bello, which aired on network TV under the title Shattered, and in the romantic comedy P.S. I Love You with Hilary Swank.

2007: Role in 300

In 2007, Gerard Butler gained wider recognition for his portrayal of King Leonidas in Zack Snyder's fantasy war film 300. This role significantly boosted his career.

2008: Roles in Nim's Island and RocknRolla

In 2008, Gerard Butler appeared in Nim's Island and RocknRolla, continuing to expand his filmography.

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, adding to his roles and expanding into producing.

October 2010: Guest at Michigan State University Events

On October 15 and 16, 2010, Gerard Butler was a guest at Michigan State University's Midnight Madness and homecoming American football game due to the popularity of his role as Spartan King Leonidas and the use of his lines during athletic events. The popularity of his 300 character earned him the honor.

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, marking his entry into voice acting for animated films.

2010: Starring in The Bounty Hunter and Voice Acting in How to Train Your Dragon

In 2010, Gerard Butler starred in the action/comedy The Bounty Hunter with Jennifer Aniston and did voice acting for the animated film How to Train Your Dragon as Stoick the Vast, marking diverse roles in his career.

2010: Support for Mary's Meals

Since 2010, Gerard Butler has supported the charity Mary's Meals, demonstrating his commitment to charitable causes.

August 2011: Songwriting and Album Recording

As of August 2011, while filming Playing for Keeps, Gerard Butler was writing songs and in the process of recording an album. He also denied that Marilyn Manson and Johnny Depp had advised him on the project.

October 2011: Surfing Incident and Hospitalization

In October 2011, Gerard Butler was rushed to Stanford University Medical Center after suffering a surfing incident in Mavericks, California, during the filming of Of Men and Mavericks. He was stable and released from the hospital later that week. The event marked a personal challenge during his career.

2011: Membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

In 2011, Gerard Butler became a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in the Actor's Branch, recognizing his contributions to the film industry.

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. This event highlights his support for the club and involvement in charity.

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, showcasing his versatility in different roles.

February 2012: Treatment for Substance Abuse

In February 2012, it was announced that Gerard Butler had completed a course of treatment for substance abuse of painkillers at a rehabilitation facility, due to a reliance on prescribed pain medication after his surfing accident. The incident highlights a personal struggle.

August 2013: Equity Stake in Jamaica Tallawahs

In August 2013, Gerard Butler bought an equity stake in the Jamaica Tallawahs cricket team, part of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL), expanding his interests beyond acting.

2013: Starring in Olympus Has Fallen

In 2013, Gerard Butler starred as Secret Service agent Mike Banning in the action thriller Olympus Has Fallen. He also broke two bones in his neck while shooting the film but did not realize it until later.

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, continuing his involvement in the animated franchise.

2014: Visit to Mary's Meals Programme in Liberia

In 2014, Gerard Butler visited the international development charity Mary's Meals' programme in Liberia, showing his direct involvement with the charity's work.

2017: Action Film Role in Geostorm

In 2017, Gerard Butler had an action film role in Geostorm, adding to his repertoire of action films.

November 2018: Home Destroyed in Woolsey Fire

In November 2018, Gerard Butler's home was destroyed in the Woolsey Fire in California. This event marks a personal loss.

2018: Action Film Role in Den of Thieves

In 2018, Gerard Butler appeared in the action film Den of Thieves, continuing his involvement in the action genre.

2018: Starring in Hunter Killer

Late in 2018, Gerard Butler starred as submarine captain Commander Joe Glass in the film Hunter Killer, adding another action role to his filmography.

2019: Starring in Angel Has Fallen and Reprising Voice Role

In 2019, Gerard Butler starred as Mike Banning again in the film Angel Has Fallen and returned as the voice of Stoick in How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, continuing his roles in both action and animated films.

2020: Action Film Role in Greenland

In 2020, Gerard Butler starred in the action film Greenland, further solidifying his presence in the action film genre.

2020: Starring in Greenland

In 2020, after release delays due to COVID-19, Gerard Butler starred in Greenland, adding another action film to his repertoire.

2023: Action Film Role in Plane

In 2023, Gerard Butler starred in the action film Plane, continuing his career in action films.

2023: Promotional Videos for Scotland Rugby

In 2023, Gerard Butler was involved with promotional videos for Scotland rugby, including for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrating his support for the sport.

January 2024: Announced Role in Live-Action How to Train Your Dragon Remake

In January 2024, Gerard Butler was announced to reprise his role as Stoick in the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon, which is set for a 2025 release. This announcement confirms his continued involvement in the franchise.

2025: Scheduled Release of How to Train Your Dragon Remake

In 2025, the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon, in which Gerard Butler will reprise his role as Stoick, is set for release, marking another significant project in his career.