Facts & Trivia
Birth Name: Ewan Gordon McGregor
Date of Birth: 31 March 1971
Place of Birth: Perth, Perthshire, Scotland, UK
Height: 5′ 10½” (1.79 m)
Spouse: Eve Mavrakis (22 July 1995 – present) 4 children
Trivia
Former roommate of Jude Law. They are still close friends.
Ranked #36 in Empire (UK) magazine’s “The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time” list (October 1997).
Nephew of Denis Lawson.
He met his wife while filming for Kavanagh QC.
Was originally up for the lead role in The Beach, which would have reunited him with director Danny Boyle and screenwriter John Hodge who collaborated with McGregor on Shallow Grave, Trainspotting and A Life Less Ordinary, but the role went to Leonardo DiCaprio.
Originally auditioned for the role of Mercutio in Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet.
Sang alongside Nicole Kidman in the film Moulin Rouge!
Was presented with an honorary doctorate from the University of Ulster at a graduation ceremony in Belfast, Northern Ireland (5 July 2001).
His first name is pronounced “you-an”.
He says that he was inspired to get into show business by his uncle, actor Denis Lawson. Lawson played Wedge Antilles in Episodes 4-6 of Star Wars.
Slated to start filmingb Nautic in Jamaica with Heath Ledger in a couple of months. However Ted Demme, who was picked to direct the film died suddenly at the age of 38 from a heart attack while playing basketball.
Early career dedicated almost exclusively to indie, low-budget, and non-feature films. When cast as Obi-wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, an interviewer reminded him of his “aversion” to major films, and he replied “I know what I said, but, hey! This is Star Wars!”
Studied Alec Guinness’ films in preparation for his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace and to ensure accuracy in everything from his accent to the pacing of his words.
Studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London for three years, graduating in 1992.
Received the Film Actor Award for Moulin Rouge! (2001) at The Variety Club Showbusiness Awards 2002.
Was a student in the year-long theatre arts program at Kirkcaldy College of Technology in the fall of 1988.
In 1987, after leaving school at age 16, he worked as a stagehand at Perth Repertory Theatre and had small roles in their productions.
Good friends with Texas lead singer Sharleen Spiteri.
His brother Colin is part of the RAF’s Tornado display team who are based at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland.
He and his uncle, Denis Lawson, have worked with two of the same directors. Both have been in Star Wars films, directed by George Lucas. His first film, Being Human, was directed by Bill Forsyth, who also directed Lawson in Local Hero.
Both he and Harrison Ford have worked for director Ridley Scott between Star Wars films. Ford made Blade Runner after Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, but before Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi. McGregor made Black Hawk Down shortly after filming Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, and thus before Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.
Embarked on a motorcycle trip around the World along with his friend and fellow actor Charley Boorman (2004).
Was voted #9 in the Greatest Movie Stars Of All Time (Channel 4).
Completed a trip from London to New York ‘The Long Way Round’ by riding a motorbike east, via Europe, Mongolia, Russia, Alaska and Canada to Manhattan over 115 days in 2004.
Was the original choice for the role of Jim in 28 Days Later.
Ewan and his wife Eve have the same initials, even with her maiden name.
When filming in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, he kept imitating the noise of the light saber during his fights. George Lucas explained many times that this would be added in by the special effects people later on. Ewan said “I keep getting carried away.”.
Was the best man at Dougray Scott’s wedding in 2000.
His Star Wars character, Obi-Wan Kenobi, goes by the call sign Red Leader in Revenge of the Sith. Wedge Antilles, who was played by his uncle, Denis Lawson, has the same call sign in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.
According to Stunt Coordinator Nick Gillard, he picked up the light saber sword fighting style very quickly. In an interview on the DVD to The Phantom Menace, Gillard commented that Ewan was probably faster than anyone else who was working on the film, including the stunt department.
Refused to have his wife and kids visit him on the set of Black Hawk Down, because he felt the content was too violent and too bloody for them to see.
Is short sighted, but before his trip around the world with Charley Boorman, he had a laser eye operation to improve his eyesight, so he didn’t have to wear glasses or contact lenses.
His best friend is actor Charley Boorman, whom he traveled around the world with on motorbikes. They met on the set of the 1997 movie The Serpent’s Kiss.
Considered for the role of Will Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.
Was considered to play James Bond in Casino Royale.
Although his motorcycles of choice include an MV Agusta F4S and a KTM Duke, McGregor and pal Charley Boorman each rode a BMW 1150GS Adventure for their marathon trip around the world in Long Way Round .
Befriended Colin Farrell during the shooting of Cassandra’s Dream.
Good friends with Black Hawk Down co-star Hugh Dancy.
Had two moles, one just below his right eye and one on his forehead, removed after doctors advised him to do so, because the one near his eye was cancerous. [2008]
Perfect Sense (2011)
Haywire (2011)
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2011)
The Impossible (2011)
Jack the Giant Killer (2013)
