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Image: Gerard Butler

Pop Culture

Gerard Butler

From King Leonidas to ‘The Bounty Hunter,’ the Scottish actor has become an action star and a romantic-comedy mainstay, often opposite some of Hollywood’s sexiest leading ladies.

/ 27 PHOTOS
Image: Gerard Butler, Jennifer Aniston

More than 'Friends'?

Gerard Butler and co-star Jennifer Aniston arrive at the premiere of "The Bounty Hunter" at The Ziegfeld Theater in New York, on Tuesday, March 16. During the shooting of the film, rumors swirled that Butler and Aniston were more than just co-stars, but the pair have remained silent on that topic.

Peter Kramer / KRAPE

'The Bounty Hunter'

In the 2010 romantic comedy, Butler plays Milo Boyd, a down-on-his-luck bounty hunter, who gets his dream job when he is assigned to track down his bail-jumping ex-wife, reporter Nicole Hurly (Jennifer Aniston). He thinks all that's ahead is an easy payday, but when Nicole gives him the slip so she can chase a lead on a murder cover-up, Milo realizes that nothing ever goes simply when the couple is together.

Lending his voice

In the 2010 animated film "How to Train Your Dragon," Butler gives voice to the Viking character Stoick.

Image: Gerard Butler

Helping Haiti

Butler was among the celebrities who worked the phone bank at the "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief" telethon on Friday, Jan. 22 in Los Angeles.

Mark Davis / Hope for Haiti Now
Image: SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

Lampooning himself

Butler reprised his "300" role as Leonidas in a sketch on the Oct. 18, 2009 episode of "Saturday Night Live." In the sketch, Leonidas slowly comes to realize that his legion of 300 is gay.

Dana Edelson / Episodic
Gamer (2009): 
\"Gamer\" is a high-concept action thriller set in a near future when gaming and entertainment have evolved into a terrifying new hybrid. Humans control other humans in mass-scale, multi-player online games: people play people...for keeps. Mind-control technology is widespread, and at the heart of the controversial games is its creator, reclusive billionaire Ken Castle (Michael C. Hall). His latest brainchild, the first-person shooter game \"Slayers,\" allows millions to act out their most savage fantasies online in front of a global audience, using real prisoners as avatars with whom they fight to the death.

'Gamer'

Butler co-starred with Michael C. Hall, right, in this 2009 high-concept action thriller set in a near future where gaming and entertainment have evolved into a terrifying new hybrid. Humans control other humans in mass-scale, multi-player online games: people play people...for keeps.

Giant Steps For 9/11

Taking some 'Giant Steps'

Butler walks across the George Washington Bridge in New York as he participates in the "Giant Steps For 9/11" walk on Sept. 13, 2009.

Mike Coppola / Getty Images North America
The Ugly Truth (2009):  A romantically challenged morning show producer (Heigl) is reluctantly embroiled in a series of outrageous tests by her chauvinistic correspondent (Butler) to prove his theories on relationships and help her find love. His clever ploys, however, lead to an unexpected result

'The Ugly Truth'

In this 2009 romantic comedy, a romantically challenged morning show producer (Katherine Heigl) is reluctantly embroiled in a series of outrageous tests by her chauvinistic correspondent (Butler) to prove his theories on relationships and help her find love. His clever ploys, however, lead to an unexpected result.

Scottish actor Gerard Butler poses durin

Working on his magnum pose

Butler poses during the "GQ Men Of The Year 2009" award ceremony on Nov. 3, 2009 in Munich, Germany.

Steffi Loos / AFP
\"Law Abiding Citizen\" follows a successful assistant D.A. (Butler) who finds himself at the center of a vigilante plot hatched by a traumatized victim of the legal system (Foxx). Foxx's character is devastated to learn that, because of a plea bargain, one of his wife and daughter's murderers will be set free. So he unleashes revenge on the killers and those who made the deal.

'Law Abiding Citizen'

In this 2009 crime thriller, Butler plays a man who is devastated to learn that, because of a plea bargain, one of his wife and daughter's murderers will be set free. So he unleashes revenge on the killers and those who made the deal.

Premiere Screening Of Overture Films' \"Law Abiding Citizen\" - Red Carpet

Face time with fans

Butler stops to take a picture with a fan after arriving at the premiere screening of "Law Abiding Citizen" at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on Oct. 6, 2009.

Frazer Harrison / Getty Images North America
The 23rd Annual \"Salute to Youth\" Benefit And Venetian Masquerade

For the kids

Butler attends the 23rd Annual "Salute to Youth" Benefit and Venetian Masquerade at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., on April 24, 2008.

Michael Buckner / Getty Images North America

'RocknRolla'

Butler stars as One Two, a street-smart mobster who has learned to play both sides of the fence, in Guy Ritchie's 2008 mob dramedy.

Nim's Island (2008):Anything can happen on Nim's Island, a magical place ruled by a young girl's imagination. It is an existence that mirrors that of her favorite literary character, Alex Rover- the world's greatest adventurer. But Alexandra, the author of the Rover books, leads a reclusive life in the big city. When Nim's father goes missing from their island, a twist of fate brings her together with Alexandra. Now, they must draw courage from their fictional hero, Alex Rover, and find strength in one another to conquer Nim's Island.

'Nim's Island'

Butler plays both the literary character Alex Rover as well as scientist-father Jack Rusoe in this 2008 children's adventure film.

Fox Walden presents the world premiere of \"Nims Island\" - Arrivals

Call him Uncle Gerry

Butler brings his nieces Katie, left, and Rachel Butler to the premiere of "Nim's Island" on March 30, 2008 at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, Calif.

Gregg Deguire / WireImage
P.S. I Love You (2007): An adaptation of the best-selling Cecelia Ahern novel about a grieving young widow who discovers her late husband has left her a list of tasks revealed in 10 monthly messages that are intended to ease her out of grief and transition her to a new life.

'P.S. I Love You'

In this 2007 adaptation of the best-selling Cecelia Ahern novel, Hillary Swank plays a grieving young widow who discovers her late husband (Butler) has left her a list of tasks revealed in 10 monthly messages that are intended to ease her out of grief and transition her to a new life.

Gerard Butler Arrives Japan

His biggest fan

A Japanese fan smiles upon the arrival of Butler at Narita International Airport in Japan on Sept. 9, 2008. Butler was in Japan to promote "P.S. I Love You."

Junko Kimura / Getty Images AsiaPac
\"300\" is an adaptation of Frank Miller's epic graphic novel. Using hyper-real renderings similar to Miller's own graphically stylized illustrations, the film tells the true story of 300 elite Spartan warriors led by their fearless king Leonidas (Butler), who thwart the charge of Xerxes and his massive Persian army at the battle of Thermopylae. Facing insurmountable odds, their valor and sacrifice inspire all of Greece to unite against their Persian foe, leading to the origins of democracy.

'300'

Butler rose to movie stardom as King Leonidas in this highly-stylized 2006 adaptation of Frank Miller's epic graphic novel. The film tells the true story of 300 elite Spartan warriors led by their fearless king (Butler), who thwart the charge of Xerxes and his massive Persian army at the battle of Thermopylae. Facing insurmountable odds, their valor and sacrifice inspire all of Greece to unite against their Persian foe, leading to the origins of democracy.

2007 MTV Movie Awards - Press Room

This ... is ... popcorn!

Butler poses with his "Best Fight" award for "300" in the press room during the 2007 MTV Movie Awards held at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, Calif., on June 3, 2007.

Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images North America
Shattered (Butterfly on a Wheel) Neil and Abby Warner have the perfect life and a perfect marriage. With their beautiful young daughter, Sophie, they are living the American dream... until today.

When Sophie is suddenly kidnapped, they have no choice but to comply with the abductors demands. The kidnapper - Ryan (PIERCE BROSNAN), a cold and calculating sociopath takes over their lives with the brutal efficiency of someone who has nothing to lose.

'Butterfly on a Wheel'

In this 2007 drama, Butler and co-stars with Claudette Mink in this story of a happily married man whose perfect life is shattered when his beautiful young daughter is kidnapped.

Nine-year-old Frankie and his single mum Lizzie have been on the move ever since Frankie can remember, most recently arriving in a seaside Scottish town. Wanting to protect her deaf son from the truth that they've run away from his father, Lizzie has invented a story that he is away at sea on the HMS Accra. Every few weeks, Lizzie writes Frankie a make-believe letter from his father, telling of his adventures in exotic lands. As Frankie tracks the ship's progress around the globe, he discovers that it is due to dock in his hometown. With the real HMS Accra arriving in only a fortnight, Lizzie must choose between telling Frankie the truth or finding the perfect stranger to play Frankie's father for just one day.

'Dear Frankie'

In this 2004 drama, Butler plays a man who is hired to pose as nine-year-old Frankie's father for a day.

\"Beowulf & Grendel\" 2006 -  is the harrowing fantasy adventure tale of a Norse warrior hero pitted against the monstrous murderous troll, Grendel.

'Beowulf & Grendel'

Butler stars as the Norse warrior Beowulf who is pitted against the monstrous murderous troll, Grendel, in this 2006 film.

'The Phantom of the Opera'

Butler plays the mysterious Phantom opposite Emmy Rossum as chorus girl Christine in the 2004 film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical.

Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle Of Life  - 2003
Archaeologist and explorer extraordinaire, Lara Croft, journeys to a temple which has sunken underwater in search of lost treasures. During her expedition, Croft happens upon a sphere that contains the mythical Pandora's Box, only to have it stolen from her by Chen Lo, the leader of a Chinese crime syndicate. Chen Lo is in league with a bad guy named Reiss, who wants to use the priceless Box as a doomsday weapon.

'Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle Of Life'

Butler plays bad boy Terry Sheridan opposite Angelina Jolie in the 2003 sequel to "Lara Croft Tomb Raider."

World Premiere of \"Lara Croft - Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life\" - After Party

Another sexy co-star

Butler and Angelina Jolie strike a fetching pose at the world premiere of "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life" in 2003.

L. Cohen / WireImage
Timeline (2003)A group of scientists travel to and get trapped in 14th century feudal France.

'Timeline'

Butler plays Andre Marek, one of a group of scientists who travel to, and get trapped in, 14th century feudal France in this 2003 film.

Reign of Fire (2002)
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In present-day London, twelve-year-old Quinn watches as his mother, a construction engineer, inadvertently wake an enormous fire-breathing dragon from its centuries-long slumber. Twenty years later, much of the world has been scarred by the beast and its offspring. As a fire chief, Quinn is responsible for warding off the dragons and keeping a small community alive as they struggle to maintain a meager existence. Then along comes hotshot American, Van Zan, who says he has a way to kill the dragons and save mankind--a way Quinn's never seen done.

'Reign of Fire'

Butler plays Creedy, a lieutenant to Christian Bale's Quinn, right, in this 2002 tale of a collection of survivors trying to fight off a legion of fire-breathing dragons while struggling to maintain a meager existence.

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