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Discover more about the stars of BBC Drama. |
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 Denis Lawson
In recent years Denis has become best known for playing surgeon Tom Campbell-Gore in the BBC's medical drama Holby City. But he's also well known to Star Wars* fans for his appearances in the first three films as pilot Wedge Antilles*. He plays John Jarndyce in the BBC's new adaptation of Charles Dickens' Bleak House.
Test your knowledge of Denis Lawson »
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Denis is part of an all-star cast in the BBC's 2005 adaptation of Bleak House. He plays John Jarndyce, whose family are at the centre of a generations-old law suit. He's the owner of Bleak House and legal guardian of Esther Summerson (Anna Maxwell Martin), who he later falls in love with.
He was a regular in Holby City between 2002 and 2004, playing alcoholic surgeon Tom Campbell-Gore.
His many other TV credits include The Ambassador, alongside Bleak House co-star Pauline Collins, Other People's Children* (2000), cult 1980s drama The Flipside of Dominick Hide, with Peter Firth, and Rock Follies in the 1970s.
He also guested in episodes of Hornblower*, Pie In The Sky*, with another Bleak House co-star, Richard Griffiths, and Bergerac*, and was a regular in the ITV comedy drama Bob Martin.
Denis' film roles include the original Star Wars* trilogy, A New Hope* (1977), The Empire Strikes Back* (1980) and The Return Of The Jedi* (1983). He played X-Wing pilot Wedge Antilles*, but admits to hating the fame he gained from the small role. He also appeared in the cult 1983 film Local Hero*, which starred Burt Lancaster*.
He's also put his voice to good use, narrating episodes of Timewatch, the documentaries on Liberace* and Hughie Green*.
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He's the uncle of film star Ewan McGregor*, who also has a Star Wars connection, having played Obi-Wan Kenobi* in the second trilogy of films. The pair are very close and have worked together on several occasions.
Denis turned his hand to writing and directing with the short film Solid Geometry* for Channel 4. Based on Ian McEwan's* short story, nephew Ewan McGregor played the lead role. He's also directed for the stage, including the West End* play Little Malcolm And His Struggle Against The Eunuchs*, again starring Ewan.
Off-screen Denis fought, but eventually won a 25-year battle with clinical depression.
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| Personal Details |
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Denis was born in Glasgow*, Scotland on 27th September 1947.
His wife Sheila Gish* died in March 2005. Although they'd only married the previous year, while on holiday in Antigua*, the couple had been together since 1985. They met on the set of BBC drama That Uncertain Feeling*.
His step-children Kay Curram* and Lou Gish* are also actors.
* The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
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