Ewan McGregor may still be fresh in the minds of many as Obi Wan Kenobi from the epic "Star Wars" series, but the dashing 30-year-old Scot has managed to cram a number of diverse roles, genres and styles into his acting career, making him one of Britain's most successful exports to Hollywood.
A student at Guildhall School Of Music And Drama, McGregor got his big break early. Before graduation he was hand-picked to star in Dennis Potter's audacious 1993 TV series "Lipstick On Your Collar". The quirky, daring role epitomised his later acting choices of predominantly UK-produced, edgy and challenging projects.
Danny Boyle and John Hodge's 1994 hit "Shallow Grave" established McGregor as one of an emerging generation of British acting talent. In 1996, he made four very different Brit films; the worldwide cult hit "Trainspotting" which paved the way for a break into the US market and promoted him to iconic stature as a charismatic heroin addict; Peter Greenaway's erotic fantasy "The Pillow Book"; Jane Austin adaptation "Emma" and the hugely successful comedy "Brassed Off".
He continued to make unpredictable acting choices with "A Life Less Ordinary", "Velvet Goldmine", and "Little Voice", and the success of these films - or sometimes lack of it - did nothing to diminish his reputation as a fearless actor prepared to throw himself into a role.
Despite bowing to the Hollywood system he regularly criticises (with turns in "Star Wars: Episode One" and the up-coming "Black Hawk Down") McGregor cemented his maverick persona with leading man duties in Baz Luhrmann's off-kilter musical spectacular "Moulin Rouge".
"Moulin Rouge" is due to be released in UK cinemas on Friday 7th September 2001.
