Stephen Dougray Scott is a Scottish actor who gained widespread recognition for his role as the antagonist ‘Sean Ambrose’ in the 2000 American action espionage film ‘Mission: Impossible 2’. Scott was a personal favorite of Tom Cruise, who recommended him to the film’s producers for the part. He is still considered one of the most intriguing antagonists in the ‘Mission Impossible franchise. He began his career as a theater performer before expanding into television and film. Since making his film debut in 1994, he has appeared in more than seventy popular films and television programs. As ‘Ian Hainsworth,’ he had a significant character in the American television series ‘Desperate Housewives’ for two seasons. He appeared in the action-thriller film ‘Hitman’. He portrayed Sir Matt Busby in the British television film ‘United’ and ‘Stuart St. John’ in ‘Taken 3,’ starring Liam Neeson.
Dougray Scott’s Career
Dougray Scott was destined for success in the entertainment industry from the start because he took acting very seriously. At the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, he was recognized as the “Most Promising Drama Student.” He subsequently joined the national theatre and made his television début in 1990. He had a minor part in the 1990 television series “Zorro.”
Scott portrayed ‘David Sellers in three episodes of the ‘Tell Tale Hearts television miniseries in 1992. In 1993, he appeared as ‘Alex’ on the television series ‘Stay Lucky.’ In 1995, he played the role of Major Rory Taylor in eleven episodes of the British television drama Soldier Soldier. He portrayed ‘Prince Henry in the 1998 Cinderella-inspired romantic drama film ‘Ever After’.
Tom Cruise then recommended Scott to the producers of the ‘Mission Impossible film franchise. Cruise believed that Scott was the ideal choice for the antagonist character of ‘Sean Ambrose’ in the 2000 sequel to the original film. Marvel Studio offered him the part of Wolverine in the film adaptation of ‘X-Men’ while he was filming ‘Mission: Impossible 2’.
Scott was injured in a bicycle accident and therefore unable to act in this film. Hugh Jackman subsequently became one of the most iconic characters in the Marvel superhero film genre. Scott still laments missing the opportunity!
After Pierce Brosnan’s ‘James Bond film ‘Die Another Day’ was completed, Scott’s name was discussed as a candidate for the next Bond film. However, after contemplating a number of actors, Daniel Craig was cast as James Bond in the 2006 film Casino Royale.
Scott portrayed the main character in ‘The Ten Commandments,’ a miniseries that dramatized the biblical story of Moses. In the television series ‘Desperate Housewives,’ Scott portrayed the love interest of Teri Hatcher’s character, Ian Hainsworth, from 2006 to 2007.
In 2007, he played the principal antagonist ‘Mike Whittier’ in the action thriller ‘Hitman,’ which was based on the same-titled video game plot. In the 2011 BBC television drama ‘United,’ Scott portrayed the legendary football manager Sir Alexander Matthew Busby. However, Busby’s family did not approve of the portrayal of Sir Matt Busby’s character.
The image portrayed, according to his son, was “more gangster than a football manager.” In place of Sir Matt’s signature tracksuit, the character portrayed by Scott donned a long overcoat and a trilby hat, which drew criticism. In the third installment of the action-thriller film ‘Taken’ starring Liam Neeson, Scott replaced Xander Berkeley as the main antagonist, ‘Stuart St. John,’ in 2015.
Dougray’s Personal Life
Stephen Dougray Scott was born on November 26, 1965, in Glenrothes, Fife, to nurse Elma Scott and actor-turned-salesman Alan Scott. Since his original name, Stephen Scott was already registered with Equity, he was compelled to adopt the surname of his grandmother, Dougray, as his stage name. Since then, he has employed it as his middle name.
Scott has had two marriages. 2006 saw the end of his first marriage to casting director Sarah Trevis. Together, they have two children: Eden and Gabriel Trevis Scott. In 2007, he married actress Claire Forlani, and the couple has since adopted a son. (Milo).
Estimated Net Worth
Dougray Scott is an actor from Scotland who has a net worth of $5 million. Dougray Scott was born in 1965 in Glenrothes, Fife, Scotland to a father who were an actor and a mother who was a nurse. Prior to moving to London to pursue an acting profession, he attended the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.