Sam Heughan

Sam Heughan (born 30 April 1980) is a Scottish actor, best known for his role as Jamie Fraser in the Starz series Outlander. He was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for Most Promising Performer in 2003, for his performance in the play Outlying Islands, performed at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs.

Life and career

Heughan was born in New Galloway, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, on 30 April 1980. He studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) in Glasgow. In 2009, Heughan landed a recurring role as Scott Nielson, the boyfriend of Nurse Cherry Malone and secret drug dealer in the BBC soap opera Doctors. In 2011, he played Prince Ashton in the Hallmark Channel film A Princess for Christmas.

In 2011 he starred in BBC drama First Light, and 2012, he starred as Batman in the touring stage show Batman Live. During this time he made the news for his assistance in a real-life citizen's arrest.

In 2013, Heughan was cast as Jamie Fraser on the Starz period drama series Outlander. He was the first cast member officially announced, to great praise by the author of the series, Diana Gabaldon, who said, "Oh. My. God. That man is a Scot to the bone and Jamie Fraser to the heart. Having seen Sam Heughan not just act, but be Jamie, I feel immensely grateful to the production team for their painstaking attention to the soul of the story and characters."