Ken Stott

Ken Stott, also known as Kenneth Campbell Stott, is a Scottish stage, television, and film actor who was born on October 19, 1954, in Edinburgh, Scotland. He won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in 1995 for his performance in the play 'Broken Glass' at Royal National Theatre. His stage career began in 1974 at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast. Early on, his earnings from acting were minimal, forcing him to supplement his income by working as a double glazing salesman. He attended George Heriot's School in Lauriston, Edinburgh, and later the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London. Stott played leading roles in the dramatisation of Dominic Behan's play 'The Folk Singer' and in the first regional production of 'Jesus Christ Superstar'.

Over the years, Stott has appeared in notable roles in numerous TV and film productions. His most popular television roles include DI John Rebus in the crime fiction-mystery series Rebus (2000-2007), DCI Red Metcalfe in Messiah (2001-2005), and Edward 'Eddie' McKenna in Takin' Over The Asylum (1994). In cinema, he is best known for portraying the dwarf Balin in The Hobbit film trilogy (2012-2014). Additionally, Stott played supporting roles in movies like Shallow Grave (1994), Fever Pitch (1997), and Charlie Wilson's War (2007). He also starred opposite Billy Connolly and Iain Robertson in The Debt Collector (1999), and Plunkett and Macleane of the same year. Stott's contribution to the performing arts has been recognised with several awards, including two BAFTA Scotland awards and a Laurence Olivier Award.