Ewan McGregor in photos: from Trainspotting to Star Wars

Ewan McGregor, who broke through in the 90s classic 'Trainspotting,' is now in his fifties. Known as an all-rounder who plays leading as well as supporting roles, he has contributed to film and theater for over 30 years. Let's have a look at the career and transformation of Ewan McGregor, who received an OBE in 2013.

Ewan McGregor loves to ride motorcycles and also appeared in the promotional video for the Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello. Called 'ON TO THE NEXT JOURNEY,' it was released on YouTube on April 18, 2023. Ewan McGregor, a true Moto Guzzi fan, shot the video at various locations in California.

Ewan Gordon McGregor was born in 1971 in Crieff, Scotland. His parents were teachers, but Dennis Lawson, who appeared in the old Star Wars trilogy, was his uncle. From an early age, Ewan McGregor dreamed of becoming an actor.

Aspiring to be an actor, McGregor dropped out of high school and began working as a staff and extra at the local Perth Theater at the age of 16. In 1988, he entered the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London to study acting seriously.

In 1992, he was selected to play the leading role in the TV drama 'Lipstick on Your Collar,' fulfilling his long-awaited professional debut.

The following year, he made his film debut with 'Being Human,' and in 1994, he appeared in Danny Boyle's directorial debut, 'Shallow Grave,' which got him considerable attention.

Then came the explosive 'Trainspotting.' Once again, Ewan McGregor teamed up with director Danny Boyle. The actor cut off his shoulder-length hair, appearing almost a skinhead, and lost weight. His character was a young man, addicted to drugs in his hometown in Scotland.

Image: Still from 'Trainspotting'

The movie depicts the harsh reality of addiction in the UK in the 1990s, presenting pain and loss with a lot of black humor and musical effects. For that reason, 'Trainspotting' became a cult hit inside the UK and across the world. It won numerous prestigious awards, including the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA).

Meanwhile, McGregor made sure that he would never be typecast. Right before the release of 'Trainspotting,' he appeared in the film adaptation of Jane Austen's novel 'Emma,' also in 1996. He played the role of Frank Churchill.

He was offered a role in 'Star Wars,' a childhood dream of his. The actor played the role of young Obi-Wan Kenobi in 'Star Wars Episode 1 / The Phantom Menace,' released in 1999.

After that, he played the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi in other 'Star Wars' movies: 'Episode 2 / Attack of the Clones' (2002) and 'Episode 3 / Revenge of the Sith' (2005).

In between the Star Wars movies, 2001 would be an amazing film year for Ewan McGregor. First, he starred in 'Black Hawk Down' with Josh Hartnett and Tom Sizemore. The war movie, based on a real story, would win two Oscars: one for Best Film Editing and another for Best Sound. Director Ridley Scott had also been nominated for an Oscar for Best Director.

The musical romantic drama 'Moulin Rouge' established Ewan McGregor as a musical actor. The film, also released in 2001, was highly acclaimed and received eight Academy Award nominations, one of which being 'Best Picture.' It eventually took two statuettes: one for 'Best Production Design' and another for 'Best Costume Design.' McGregor himself was honored with a Golden Globe nomination, among others.

Twenty years after the impact of 'Trainspotting,' Ewan McGregor became Mark Renton again. The sequel to the movie was called 'T2 Trainspotting' and it depicts Renton's return to his hometown 20 years after the events of the first movie. Released in 2017, it became a commercial and critical success.

In 1995, the young actor married Greek-French art director Eve Mavrakis. They had four children together, two of them adopted. When they separated in 2017, it was a big story in the showbiz media.

At the end of his marriage to Mavrakis, the actor had been spotted on dates with 'Fargo' co-star Mary Elizabeth Winstead, 14 years his junior. They continued to build their relationship and had a child in 2021. A year later, the couple got married. McGregor is now the father of five children.

McGregor, who has been known to love motorcycles since he was young, went on a motorcycle tour from London to New York in 2004 with his friend Charlie Boorman. The event was broadcast on the BBC in 2007 as 'Ewan McGregor's Long Way Round.'

In 2019, he teamed up with Boorman again to ride across South America, this time on an electric Harley and in constant search of charging points. He recalls that was lucky to be able to finish shooting before the coronavirus pandemic broke out.

McGregor has not only appeared in movies but also in acclaimed stage productions, such as 'Guys and Dolls.' Furthermore, he performed the theme song for 'Moulin Rouge,' called 'Your Song,' in 2001.

In 2022, Disney+ exclusively distributed the 'Star Wars' spin-off 'Obi-Wan Kenobi.' Ewan McGregor plays the role of Obi-Wan in the 6-episode series, which is set 10 years after the events of 'Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.'

Ewan McGregor has clearly been in many different genres of film and accumulated a lot of experience. We are sure that he will continue to fascinate fans with his new experiments and performances.