Biography

Ian Charleson

Jump to

Being born and raised in Edinburgh, Charleson attended the Royal High School and then went on to attend Edinburgh University. He initially studied architecture but switched to an MA degree after cultivating an interest in acting. He won a place at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art after graduating from Edinburgh.
- IMDb mini biography by: Anonymous
He was the son of a printer and sang soprano as a boy. Raised in Edinburgh, he attended the Royal High School and Edinburgh University, both on scholarship. He was a member of the Edinburgh University Drama Society as an actor, singer, and director, and even worked with costumes. Next, he went to the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). Odd jobs included singing at the restaurant, "Food for Thought", and busing tables at the "Hard Rock Cafe". He left LAMDA early and was a member of Frank Dunlop's "Young Vic Company" in London for two years. His first West End role was in Simon Gray's "Otherwise Engaged". He performed at the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) from 1977 to 1989. Had a lovely tenor voice as an adult; the Royal Shakespeare Company released a CD of his singing in 1982. He died of AIDS at the early age of 40.
- IMDb mini biography by: Anonymous

In preparing for his role of Eric Liddell in Chariots of Fire (1981), Charleson read the Bible from beginning to end.
He appeared in two Best Picture Academy Award winners in consecutive years: Chariots of Fire (1981) and Gandhi (1982).
Sir Ian McKellen said that Charleson played "Hamlet" so well it was as if he had rehearsed the role all his life. Charleson had taken over the role, at very short notice, after Daniel Day Lewis suddenly walked out of the production after claiming he had a disturbing, supernatural experience on stage where he saw the ghost of his dead father, Cecil Day Lewis.
He died seven weeks after playing "Hamlet" in Richard Eyre's production at the Olivier Theatre.
His name was used posthumously for the Ian Charleson Awards, which have been presented annually since 1991 to reward the best classical stage performances by actors aged under 30.

Suggest an edit or add missing content