Ian McShane: Summary

Recent Role:: King Silas Benjamin on Kings

Gender:: Male

Birthday:: 9-29-1942

Birthplace:: Blackburn, Lancashire, England, UK

Ian McShane was born in Blackburn, England. His father is Harry McShane, a professional football player for Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers.

He started out in the 1960's, in small roles on the television series' 'Police Woman' and 'Matt Helm,' and in films like, 'If this is Tuesday this must be Belgium', 'Pussycat, Pussycat, I Love You' and 'Battle of Britain.'

In the mid-eighties he bought the television rights to Jonathan Gash's Lovejoy novels. He produced and starred in 6 seasons of �Lovejoy� for the BBC from 1986 through to 1994. The show was also shown in America on the A&E network.

He has made a notable comeback in film appearances in recet years, 'Sexy Beast, 'Shrek 3', ' appeared as a Russian negotiator in the 'West Wing'and has attained notoriety for his portrayal of villainous-yet-lovable Al Swearengen on the HBO series, 'Deadwood.'

He has been married to his current wife, actress Gwen Humble, since 1981. He has two children from a previous marriage, Kate (born in 1971) and Morgan (born in 1975).
Ian McShane was born in Blackburn, England. His father is Harry McShane, a professional football player for Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers.

He started out in the 1960's, in small roles on the television series' 'Police Woman' and 'Matt Helm,' and in films like, 'If this is Tuesday this must be Belgium', 'Pussycat, Pussycat, I Love You' and 'Battle of...

Ian McShane and Chris Egan Interview

Ian explains the premise of Kings and Chris talks about his character, a young soldier who becomes a hero to the nation.

Posted: 03/16/09
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Start a blog about Ian McShane.

Cast updates: Kathie Lee back to daytime
Hostess returning joining Today next week; Deadwood's Swearengen in Kings.
- 03/31/08 3:52 PM
- 12 comments \ add yours
Deadwood dead?
Third time around might be the last time for HBO Western.
- 05/12/06 3:16 PM
- 22 comments \ add yours
The theater comes to Deadwood
The gritty HBO western will add a new wrinkle next season as the Great White Way comes to the frontier town.
- 08/31/05 4:00 PM
- 3 comments \ add yours

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pac77
member since: Feb 11, 2009
A finer actor, in my experience, cannot be found! ...Continue »
A many year movie buff, I have had my share of favorite actors & actresses and still do. This man turned that world up side down with his incredible art.

Given an extremely difficult role to be convincing in, in my opinion, he performed with such extreme perfected talent and insight that he enhanced this character 10 fold over what the writers & directors could have come up with, I truly believe. So subtle were some of the plot notions (he was being focused upon to carry off) in physical form yet he could make them scream in your ears! Depth! Dimension! and a truly gorgeous man in every way.
02/10/09 02:53pm | report abuse
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hza103
member since: Sep 11, 2003
What an actor!! ...Continue »
Ian McShane single handedly runs deadwood (the show and the town haha)
Without him, the show would be lost. He brings charm, class, villiany, bad language, and hate to a new low (high?) with his acting, and his change up from his manchester accent (very strong, mind you) to american is really shocking (watch sexy beast to see what I mean)
10/03/05 02:14pm | report abuse
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actiontwinkle
member since: Mar 31, 2005
Where has this guy been all our lives? ...Continue »
Ian Mcshane is one of the greatest actors around. I have seen him in a lot, but never did he have the chance to shine as he does in 'Deadwood.' He really creates a memorable character, and fully inhabits him.

A lot of people focus on Swearengen's language, but that is such a surface part of his character. It's not distracting once you get into the rhythm of the way he speaks, and see that it's the only natural way a person like that could speak.

Ian mcShane is one of those guys who just kept on being great, then finally got a role and a break that was good enough for him. Sweet.
06/01/05 03:03am | report abuse