 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Discover more about the stars of BBC Drama. |
|
|
 |
|
 Ian McShane
Ian McShane's career has certainly taken him far and wide since it began in the 1960's. From the auction rooms frequented by Lovejoy, to the ranches of Dallas, to Spain for a role in British gangster movie Sexy Beast, and to the glamorous law offices of Cooper-Fozard in the legal drama Trust, with Robson Green.
Are you an Ian McShane expert? Take the test!
| What's he been in? |
|
RADA trained Ian's career began in the theatre, but his first film role came in 1962 when he starred in The Wild and the Willing, which also featured John Hurt and Johnny Briggs (Mike Baldwin in Coronation Street).
Ian's prolific film and TV carrer has also included roles in many classic mini-series, including Roots (1977), Jesus of Nazareth (1977) and the title role in Disraeli (1979).
Ian's best loved role was roguish antiques dealer Lovejoy, perenially plotting for profits with friends Eric and Tinker. The series was first seen on our screens in 1986, but due to contractual wrangles didn't return for a second series until 1991. Viewers loved the combination of humour, mystery, antiques and grand locations and remained loyal fans until the series ended in 1994.
In 1989 Ian guest starred in Dallas as suave Englishman Don Lockwood. His character tempted Sue Ellen away from J.R. Ewing and ended up marrying her.
After many years in TV and films, Ian returned to the stage in a musical production of The Witches of Eastwick. Theatre impresario Sir Cameron Mackintosh said "the part requires a very experienced comic actor with spellbinding sexy charm and the panache of a Broadway musical star. We have found all these qualities in Ian McShane."
In 2000 Ian joined respected actors Ben Kingsley and Ray Winstone in British gangster movie Sexy Beast playing Teddy Bass, a criminal mastermind.
Ian appeared as the mildly eccentric boss of a City law firm in 2003's Trust. His character, Alan Cooper-Fozard, a.k.a. The P.G. ("The Power and the Glory") has the power to crush careers. His co-stars include Robson Green, Sarah Parish and Chiwetel Ejiofor. In 2002, he starred alongside Ioan Gruffudd in Man and Boy.
|
| Did you know? |
|
Ian's father Harry played for Manchester United.
TV antiques expert David Dickinson is very grateful to Ian Shane for creating the character of Lovejoy. "It's due to this that I started my television career," he said.
|
| Personal Details |
|
Ian was born on September 29th 1942 in Blackburn, Lancashire.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
From Tudors to WW2 |
|
|
A guide to better living |
|
|
Listen live to 4 now |
|
 |
|
