ACTOR · BORN 1971
Ewan McGregor
- Born
- 31 March 1971, Perth, Scotland, UK
- Known for
- American Psycho (2000), Trainspotting (1996), Mortdecai (2015), The End of Oak Street (2026)
53 archived facts 7 topics 1 source Last reviewed Nov 2026
Ewan McGregor (born 31 March 1971) is an actor best known for American Psycho, Trainspotting and Mortdecai.
Ewan McGregor over the years
53 Interesting Facts About Ewan McGregor
Interesting Facts (13)
- #001
As of 2017, he is the only top-billed Star Wars actor whose character has not died on his watch. Liam Neeson, Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill all played their characters' deaths, while Obi-Wan's death was played by Sir Alec Guinness.
- #002
Though his own bikes of choice include an MV Agusta F4S and a KTM Duke, McGregor and his friend Charley Boorman each rode a BMW 1150GS Adventure on their marathon round-the-world trip in Long Way Round (2004).
- #003
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 (1999), an interviewer reminded him of his "aversion" to major films, and he replied "I know what I said, but, hey! This is Star Wars!".
- #004
He met his ex-wife, Eve Mavrakis, while filming for Kavanagh QC (1995).
- #005
He turned down Don Cheadle's role in Ocean's Eleven (2001) due to conflicts with Black Hawk Down (2001).
- #006
Both he and Harrison Ford have worked for director Ridley Scott between Star Wars films. Ford made Blade Runner (1982) after Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980), but before Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983). McGregor made Black Hawk Down (2001) shortly after filming Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002), and thus before Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005).
Ewan McGregor: behind the scenesImage: Wikimedia Commons · Paul Bird, CC BY 2.0 - #007
He was considered to voice Bumblebee and Ratchet in Transformers (2007).
- #008
He turned down Christopher Eccleston's role in Jude (1996) in favour of Trainspotting (1996).
- #009
He was originally attached to star as Edgar Allan Poe in The Raven (2012), but dropped out.
- #010
Early in his career, Ewan McGregor worked almost entirely on independent, low-budget and non-feature films. When he signed on as Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999), an interviewer reminded him of his "aversion" to big films, and he replied, "I know what I said, but, hey! This is Star Wars!"
- #011
Ewan McGregor wouldn't let his then-wife and children visit him on the set of Black Hawk Down (2001), feeling the material was too violent and bloody for them to see.
- #012
To prepare for Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999), Ewan McGregor studied Sir Alec Guinness's films to get everything right, from the accent to the pace of his delivery.
- #013
McGregor campaigned against closing the maternity unit at Perth Royal Infirmary, the hospital where he was born.
Production Story (7)
- #014
He was first in line to star in The Beach (2000), which would have reunited him with director Danny Boyle and writer John Hodge, his collaborators on Shallow Grave (1994), Trainspotting (1996) and A Life Less Ordinary (1997), but the part went to Leonardo DiCaprio. Though McGregor blamed studio pressure for the decision, he didn't speak to Boyle or Hodge for years, saying in an interview that he felt betrayed and the friendship was over. They ran into each other several times in that period, most awkwardly when he, his wife and Boyle ended up in first class on the same flight and didn't say a word to each other the whole way. McGregor and Boyle finally made peace in 2009, when McGregor presented Boyle with an award for Slumdog Millionaire. Boyle has since apologized, admitting he mishandled things, and McGregor says he has changed his view of it all and moved on, and now regrets all the films they never made together.
- #015
He was offered a part in The Boondock Saints (1999) and even met writer-director Troy Duffy to discuss it, but after a drinking session they argued about the death penalty, and McGregor decided against the film.
- #016
He was set to start shooting 'Nautic' in Jamaica with Heath Ledger in a couple of months, but Ted Demme, picked to direct, died suddenly at 38 of a heart attack while playing basketball.
- #017
He first auditioned for Mercutio in Romeo + Juliet (1996), and got his chance to work with its director, Baz Luhrmann, when he was cast as Christian in Moulin Rouge! (2001).
- #018
He was the first choice for Jim in 28 Days Later (2002), directed by Danny Boyle, who had worked with Ewan three times before, but because of their falling-out from 2000 to 2009, Cillian Murphy was cast.
- #019
He was keen to star in American Psycho (2000), but Christian Bale talked him out of it and ended up with the part himself.
- #020
He was originally cast in Sam Riley's part in Franklyn (2008) but had to pull out after breaking his leg in a motorcycle accident.
Behind the Scenes (10)
- #021
Preparing to play Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999), he studied Sir Alec Guinness's films to get everything right, from the accent to the rhythm of his speech.
- #022
He wouldn't let his now ex-wife and their children visit him on the Black Hawk Down (2001) set, feeling it was too violent and bloody for them.
- #023
Stunt coordinator Nick Gillard says he picked up lightsaber fighting very quickly; in an interview on the Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) DVD, Gillard said Ewan was probably faster than anyone else on the film, the stunt department included.
- #024
Though he usually takes his family on location, he left them at home for Young Adam (2003).
- #025
He adopted a dog on the final day of shooting Beginners (2010).
- #026
During Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999), Ewan McGregor couldn't stop making lightsaber sounds in his fight scenes, though George Lucas kept explaining that the effects people would add them later. "I keep getting carried away," McGregor said.
- #027
Stunt coordinator Nick Gillard says Ewan McGregor mastered lightsaber fighting very fast, and in an interview on the Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) DVD he said McGregor was probably quicker than anyone else on the film, stunt team included.
- #028
He is very particular about photographs of his children being taken or shown on television. He believes that simply being famous should not give anyone the right to intrude on his private life.
- #029
The Star Wars character Obi-Wan Kenobi uses the call sign "Red Leader" in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005). Wedge Antilles, played by his uncle Denis Lawson, has the same call sign in Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983).
- #030
He was offered a role in The Boondock Saints (1999) and even met with writer/director Troy Duffy to discuss the film. After a drinking session they got into an argument about the death penalty, and McGregor decided not to make the film.
Characters & Cast (6)
- #031
He took Frank Churchill in Emma (1996) as a change from his part in Trainspotting (1996), but ended up a little embarrassed by his performance, mostly because of the wig he had to wear.
- #032
He turned down the lead role in The Matrix (1999) due to his commitment to Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999).
- #033
He was among the actors considered for the role of Dick Grayson/Robin/Nightwing in Batman Forever (1995).
- #034
He was the original choice to play Adolf Hitler in Hitler: The Rise of Evil (2003). The role went to Robert Carlyle.
- #035
He was up for the male lead in Shopping (1994), losing out to Jude Law.
- #036
Ewan McGregor landed a part in Dennis Potter's Channel 4 series Lipstick on Your Collar (1993) while still at drama school.
Easter Eggs & References (2)
- #037
His Obi-Wan Kenobi uses the call sign "Red Leader" in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005), the same call sign used by Wedge Antilles, played by his uncle Denis Lawson, in Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983).
- #038
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015) features him in an uncredited voice cameo as Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Career & Awards (5)
- #039
He was scheduled to talk about T2 Trainspotting (2017) live on Good Morning Britain (2014) in January 2017, but backed out with less than an hour to go on learning that his interviewer would be Piers Morgan, who had just attacked "rabid feminists" protesting against Donald Trump.
- #040
He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2013 Queen's New Year's Honours List for his services to drama and charity.
- #041
(May 22, 2011) Attended the 2011 Seattle International Film Festival for his film Beginners (2010).
- #042
He has appeared in one film that has been nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Moulin Rouge! (2001).
- #043
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6840 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on September 12, 2024. Director Mike Mills and actor Hayden Christensen were guest speakers at the ceremony. His Walk of Fame star is located next to the El Capitan Theatre.
Life & Family (10)
- #044
On his South American motorcycle trip Long Way Up (2020), Ewan revealed that one of his paternal great-grandfathers, John "Juan" Charles McIndoe, was born in Chile to Scottish parents while his father worked there building railways. John later moved to Glasgow as a diplomat and wine importer. The rest of his Scottish ancestry comes from Clan Gregor.
- #045
He is very protective of his children's privacy when it comes to photographs or TV, firmly believing his fame gives no one the right to intrude on them.
- #046
Before riding around the world with Charley Boorman, he had laser eye surgery so he wouldn't need glasses or contact lenses.
- #047
In 2008, on doctors' advice, he had two moles removed, one just under his right eye and one on his forehead, as the one near his eye was cancerous.
- #048
He says his uncle, actor Denis Lawson, who played Wedge Antilles in the original Star Wars trilogy, inspired him to go into show business.
- #049
Ewan, a UNICEF ambassador, adopted Jamyan, a 4-year-old girl from Mongolia he had met on his 2004 journey around the world.
- #050
He has campaigned against closing the maternity wing of Perth Royal Infirmary, where he was born.
- #051
In 1987, after leaving school at age 16, he worked as a stagehand at Perth Repertory Theatre and had small roles in their productions.
- #052
As a UNICEF ambassador, Ewan McGregor adopted Jamyan, a four-year-old girl from Mongolia whom he met while travelling around the world in 2004.
- #053
Ewan McGregor credits his uncle, actor Denis Lawson, Wedge Antilles in the original Star Wars trilogy, with inspiring him to go into show business.
Related pages
- Big Fish — Ewan McGregor comes up in the facts on that page
- Doctor Sleep — Ewan McGregor comes up in the facts on that page
Sources & editorial notes
Reference databases
- Wikipedia
- IMDb
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