Ewan McGregor is a Scottish film and television actor famous for his career in British films, Hollywood films, TV series, and travel documentaries. He made a name for himself in *Trainspotting* and then went on to become famous all around the world for playing Obi-Wan Kenobi in the *Star Wars* prequel trilogy. Through the years, he has appeared in many movies like *Moulin Rouge!, Big Fish, The Impossible* and *Doctor Sleep*. His work in television has also been critically acclaimed, especially in *Fargo* and *Halston*. In addition to being an actor, he has tried his hands at directing and motorbike riding over long distances.
Early Life, Age and Height
Born on 31 March 1971 in Perth, Scotland, he grew up in Crieff, Perthshire. His parents worked in education, while his uncle Denis Lawson had already built a career as an actor. This family connection helped spark his interest in performing. He later moved to London to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. His training gave him valuable experience before he started working regularly in television and film.
His early career included a role in the television production Lipstick on Your Collar. He then appeared in the film Shallow Grave, which helped him gain attention in British cinema. During this period, he took on roles that showed his willingness to play unusual and demanding characters. His strong performances soon led to bigger opportunities. By the middle of the 1990s, he had become one of the more recognisable young actors in British film.
At 55 years old in 2026, he has already spent more than three decades working in entertainment. His height is commonly listed at around 1.77 metres, or roughly 5 feet 10 inches. While fans often search for information about his age and height, his acting range remains the main reason for his long career. He has moved comfortably between independent films, major franchises, television dramas and musicals.
Movies and TV Shows
The breakthrough film of his early career was Trainspotting, released in 1996. He played Mark Renton, a young man dealing with addiction, friendship and difficult choices in Edinburgh. The film became a major part of British cinema and gave him international attention. After that success, he appeared in films such as Brassed Off, Emma, A Life Less Ordinary, Velvet Goldmine and Little Voice. These projects helped establish him as an actor who could work across several genres.
A major change came with Moulin Rouge!, where he played Christian alongside Nicole Kidman. The musical required him to act and sing, giving audiences a different view of his abilities. He later appeared in Black Hawk Down, Big Fish, Young Adam, Miss Potter and The Ghost Writer. His later film work included The Impossible, T2 Trainspotting, Christopher Robin, Doctor Sleep and Birds of Prey. These films cover drama, action, fantasy, romance and family entertainment.
Television has become another important part of his work. In the third season of Fargo, he played brothers Emmit and Ray Stussy, giving him the chance to create two very different characters. His performance earned major awards recognition. He later played fashion designer Halston in the Netflix series Halston, which brought him an Emmy and a Golden Globe. More recently, A Gentleman in Moscow gave him the leading role of Count Alexander Rostov and introduced his work to another generation of television viewers.
Star Wars and Obi-Wan Kenobi
His connection with Star Wars began in 1999 with Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. He played the younger Obi-Wan Kenobi, working alongside Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn. The film explored the character before the events of the original trilogy. His performance helped introduce Obi-Wan to a new generation of viewers. The role soon became one of the most recognisable parts of his career.
He returned as the Jedi in Attack of the Clones in 2002 and Revenge of the Sith in 2005. The three films followed his development from a young Jedi into an experienced warrior and teacher. His relationship with Anakin Skywalker formed an important part of the story. Their friendship eventually became a painful conflict as Anakin moved towards the dark side. These films gave the actor several opportunities to combine action scenes with emotional moments.
After many years away from the character, he returned for the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi in 2022. The story takes place between Revenge of the Sith and the original Star Wars film. It follows the Jedi as he lives in hiding after the fall of the Jedi Order. Returning to the character allowed him to connect his earlier performances with a modern television series. For many fans, the role remains one of the most important parts of his career.
Wife, Family and Personal Life
His family life has attracted public interest throughout his career. He married Eve Mavrakis in 1995, and they later had four daughters together. Their marriage eventually ended, with their divorce finalised in 2020. Despite the attention surrounding his personal life, he continued to work on major films and television projects. His family remains an important part of his story outside the screen.
He later married actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead in 2022. The couple first met while working together on Fargo. Winstead also has a successful career in film and television, so both have experience working in the entertainment industry. Their professional connection developed into a personal relationship before they married. Their relationship has since remained a regular topic in entertainment coverage.
Motorcycles and travel have also played a major role in his life. He and his friend Charley Boorman travelled across different countries for the documentary series Long Way Round, Long Way Down and Long Way Up. The programmes showed their long motorcycle journeys and the people they met along the way. These projects allowed audiences to see him outside the usual film environment. They also created a successful part of his career beyond traditional acting.
Net Worth, Awards and Career Achievements
There is no official public figure that confirms his exact net worth. Some entertainment websites estimate his wealth at around $25 million, but these figures remain estimates. His income can come from acting, television, directing, producing and other professional work. After more than 30 years in the industry, he has worked on many successful productions. However, online net worth figures should not be treated as confirmed financial records.
His television work has earned several major honours. His performance in Fargo won him a Golden Globe, while his portrayal of Halston earned both an Emmy and another Golden Globe. These awards added important television achievements to his already successful film career. In 2013, he also received an OBE for services to drama and charity. His work has therefore received recognition from both entertainment organisations and the wider public.
He has also explored filmmaking from behind the camera. In 2016, he directed American Pastoral and also appeared in the film. The project gave him the opportunity to take greater creative control over a production. In 2024, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. BAFTA Scotland also honoured his contribution to film and television in 2025, adding another major achievement to his long career.
Why His Career Remains Popular
One reason audiences continue to follow his work is the wide range of characters he has played. Mark Renton in Trainspotting has little in common with Christian in Moulin Rouge! or Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars. His television roles have added even more variety. In Fargo, he played two brothers with very different personalities, while Halston required him to portray a famous fashion designer. These choices have helped him avoid being linked to just one type of role.
His work also reaches several generations of viewers. Fans of British cinema may know him from Trainspotting, while younger viewers may recognise him from Star Wars, Christopher Robin or streaming television. His filmography includes serious dramas as well as family entertainment and major action productions. That variety makes it easy for new audiences to find a project that matches their interests. It also explains why his older films continue to receive attention.
Several areas make his career particularly interesting to explore:
- British cinema: Trainspotting helped establish his reputation.
- Hollywood films: Major productions brought him a worldwide audience.
- Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi became one of his most recognisable roles.
- Television: Fargo, Halston and A Gentleman in Moscow added acclaimed performances.
- Travel: His motorcycle documentaries showed a different side of his life.
- Directing: American Pastoral allowed him to work behind the camera.
(FAQs)
How old is Ewan McGregor?
Born on 31 March 1971, the Scottish actor is 55 years old in 2026. He began his professional career as a young performer and has remained active in film and television for more than three decades.
What is his height?
His height is generally reported at around 1.77 metres, which is approximately 5 feet 10 inches. Celebrity height figures can vary slightly between different published sources.
Who is his wife?
He is married to actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead. The couple met while working together on Fargo and married in 2022. Winstead is also known for her work in film and television.
What are his most famous movies?
His best-known films include Trainspotting, Moulin Rouge!, Big Fish, The Impossible, T2 Trainspotting, Doctor Sleep and the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
When did he play Obi-Wan Kenobi?
He first portrayed the younger Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace in 1999. He returned for the next two prequel films and later reprised the character in the 2022 Obi-Wan Kenobi series.
Conclusion
The career of Ewan McGregor is impressive thanks to the broad range of movies, TV series, travel shows and directorial ventures in which he starred. Starting from his first major role in Trainspotting to his world-famous interpretation of Obi-Wan Kenobi, he kept exploring various roles and genres. Some of his most interesting movies include Moulin Rouge!, Big Fish, Fargo, Halston and A Gentleman in Moscow. Apart from being an actor, his motorcycle tours and filmmaking are also parts of his professional path. His accomplishments, long career and performances remain popular among his audience. No matter whether people watched him on big or small screens, his filmography has enough content for both die-hard fans and newcomers.
