Ken Stott

Ken Stott is a Scottish actor known for his powerful performances on stage, screen, and television. Born in Edinburgh in 1954, Stott grew up in a working-class family and initially pursued a career in engineering before turning to acting in his late twenties. He trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow and began his career in regional theater before making his West End debut in 1989.

Stott's breakthrough role came in 1995 when he played the lead in "The Vice," a gritty crime drama on British television. He earned critical acclaim for his portrayal of Detective Inspector Pat Chappel, a hard-drinking, chain-smoking cop battling his own demons as he investigates the seedy underbelly of London. The show ran for five seasons and established Stott as a versatile actor with a commanding presence.
Stott's success on television led to more film and stage work. In 1999, he played the villainous Baldur in "The 13th Warrior," a medieval epic starring Antonio Banderas. He also appeared in "Shallow Grave," a dark comedy directed by Danny Boyle, and "Plunkett & Macleane," a swashbuckling adventure set in 18th-century England.
On stage, Stott earned critical acclaim for his performances in a range of roles. In 1997, he played the title character in "Arturo Ui," Bertolt Brecht's biting satire of Hitler's rise to power. He also starred in "The Caretaker" by Harold Pinter and "Heroes" by Tom Stoppard. In 2005, he played the lead in "The Faith Healer" by Brian Friel, a role that earned him an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor.
Stott's most famous stage role, however, is as Ian Rankin's iconic detective John Rebus. He first played Rebus in a stage adaptation of "Black and Blue" in 2006, and went on to star in three more stage adaptations of Rankin's novels. Stott's portrayal of Rebus is widely regarded as one of the best interpretations of the character, capturing his world-weary cynicism and moral ambiguity.
In recent years, Stott has continued to work steadily on stage, screen, and television. He played Balin in Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit" trilogy, a role that required him to don extensive prosthetics and makeup. He also appeared in "The Missing," a BBC crime drama, and "The Girl in the Spider's Web," a thriller based on the popular book series.
On stage, Stott has continued to tackle challenging roles. In 2018, he played Willy Loman in "Death of a Salesman" at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh, a role that earned him rave reviews. He also starred in "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller, playing the morally conflicted John Proctor.