Gary Lewis

Gary Stevenson, known professionally as Gary Lewis, was born in 1957 in Easterhouse, Glasgow, Scotland. His early career path included diverse roles such as a street sweeper and a library worker, alongside completing a social science degree with honors from Glasgow College of Technology in 1983. Encouraged by his high school English teacher, Lewis developed a strong interest in literature and acting. He fully committed to acting at the age of 32, joining Robert Carlyle’s Raindog Theatre, where he participated in notable plays including “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” He also collaborated with the 7:84 Theatre Company and The Arches Theatre Company, broadening his theatrical experience.

Lewis transitioned into film in 1993, with his first role in the short film “Close,” supported by actor-director Peter Mullan. This collaboration continued with roles in Danny Boyle’s 1994 thriller “Shallow Grave,” and Mullan’s subsequent short films. A significant turning point in his film career came with his portrayal of a grief-stricken father in the 2000 film “Billy Elliot,” a role that earned him a BAFTA nomination for Best Performance By An Actor in a Supporting Role. This foundational period solidified his reputation as a versatile actor capable of delivering complex characters, leading to his involvement in major international productions.

Expanding his reach, Lewis appeared in Martin Scorsese’s “Gangs of New York” in 2002, where he played McGloin. His career continued to flourish with diverse roles in films like “Joyeux Noël” (2005), “Eragon” (2006), and “Valhalla Rising” (2009). On television, he gained recognition for his role as Colum MacKenzie in the Starz series “Outlander” from 2014 to 2016, and DSU Colin Robertson in the BBC One thriller “Vigil” from 2021 to 2023. In 2023, he joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Emperor Dro’ge in “The Marvels,” marking another milestone in his extensive career.