Alex Norton
| Alex Norton | |
|---|---|
| Born |
27 January 1950 Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1966-present |
| Spouse(s) | Sally Kinghorn (2001-present) (3 children) |
| Children | Jock, Rory, Jamie |
Alexander Hugh "Alex" Norton (born 27 January 1950) is a Scottish television and film actor. He is perhaps best known for his roles as DCI Matt Burke in the STV detective drama series Taggart, Eric Baird in BBC Two Sitcom Two Doors Down, DCS Wallace in Extremely Dangerous, Gerald Finlay in Waterloo Road and Eddie in the Renford Rejects. He has also had roles in internationally successful films including Braveheart, Local Hero and Les Misérables.
Norton was born in Househillwood, Glasgow and spent his childhood in Moffat Street in the Gorbals before moving to Pollokshaws. He discovered acting at the age of 14 via an out-of-school drama group. This led to his part in the TV series Dr. Finlay's Casebook and with it the decision that acting was what he wanted to concentrate on. Because of his background and his father's lack of approval of his chosen career, Alex decided to avoid the traditional route into acting and instead worked from part to part. In 1973 he became one of the founder members of the 7:84 company, touring Scotland with The Cheviot, the Stag, and the Black Black Oil. In the 1970s he met his wife, Sally Kinghorn. They met on the set of a BBC Schools series. She and he have 3 sons, Jamie, Rory and Jock. Also, he was presented with the opportunity to play a part in Peter Jackson's "King Kong" (2005); however, he could not accept because it happened to interfere with the TV project he was currently working on.
He has appeared in numerous films including Bill Forsyth's Gregory's Girl (1981), Local Hero (1983) and Comfort and Joy (1984), A Sense of Freedom (1981), Comrades (1986), Hidden City (1987), Scandal (1989), Countdown to War (1989), Robin Hood (1991), Chernobyl: The Final Warning (1991), Blame It on the Bellboy (1992), Squanto: A Warrior's Tale (1994), Little Voice (1998), Orphans (1998) and Beautiful Creatures (2000), as well as Hollywood blockbusters such as White Hunter, Black Heart (1990) with Clint Eastwood, Patriot Games (1992) with Harrison Ford, Braveheart (1995) starring Mel Gibson and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) with Johnny Depp. He played Captain Bellamy, a captain of a supposedly haunted ship; a rumour sparked the discovery of Elizabeth Swan's dress on board. Norton's character Bellamy picked up the character of William Turner who was lost at sea. This decision ultimately lead to his death by the Kraken. This role was suited to Norton to play because of his Scottish roots. He portrayed a perfectly believable, honest and logical Scottish Pirate. Norton also voiced Thurston McCondry in the animated shorts Haunted Hogmanay and Glendogie Bogey.
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