Denis Lawson
Biography
Denis Stamper Lawson is a Scottish actor and director who was born on September 27, 1947, in Perthshire, Scotland, United Kingdom, specifically in Crieff, Perth and Kinross. Active in film, television, and theatre, he is perhaps best known for his roles as John Jarndyce in the BBC adaptation of Bleak House and as Gordon Urquhart in the film Local Hero. Additionally, he is recognized for his appearances in the films Star Wars Episode Four A New Hope, Star Wars Episode Five The Empire Strikes Back, and Star Wars Episode Six Return of the Jedi. With a career spanning numerous known credits in acting, Lawson maintains an established presence in the entertainment industry as a Scottish stage, film, and television performer.
Career overview
Denis Stamper Lawson is a Scottish actor and director who was born on September 27, 1947, in Perthshire, Scotland. Known professionally in the entertainment industry for his work across film, television, and theatre, Lawson has built an extensive career with numerous known credits to his name. Among his widely recognized performances, he is perhaps best known for portraying John Jarndyce in the BBC adaptation of Bleak House and for playing Gordon Urquhart in the film Local Hero.
In addition to these prominent roles, Lawson is noted for his appearances in the Star Wars film series, having been associated with Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope, Star Wars Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, and Star Wars Episode VI - Return of the Jedi. His career spans decades and includes active participation in both motion pictures and television productions, establishing him as a prominent figure in British acting.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Denis Lawson.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
105 titles- The Fortune (2026) as Martin Worrall
- Sister Boniface Mysteries (2022) as Lincoln Leigh Varsey
- Star Wars: Visions (2021) as Wedge Antilles (voice)
- The Weakest Link (2021) as Self - Contestant
- Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) as Wedge Antilles
- Celebrity Gogglebox (2019) as Self
- Somnium (2019) as PAT 1
- The Farmers' Country Showdown (2017) as Self - Narrator
- Burns in the USA (2017) as Narrator
- Victoria (2016) as Duke of Atholl
- In Plain Sight (2016) as Laurence Dowdell
- Inside No. 9 (2014) as Gerald
- A Quiet Night In (2014) as Gerald
- Father Brown (2013) as Walter Sullivan
- The Machine (2013) as Thomson
- The Wee Man (2013) as Willie Ferris
- Broken (2012) as Mr. Buckley
- Them From That Thing (2012) as Various
- Death in Paradise (2011) as Philip Marston
- Perfect Sense (2011) as Boss
- Marchlands (2011) as Robert Bowen
- Candy Cabs (2011) as Kenny Ho
- The Lighthouse Stevensons (2011) as Narrator - (Voice)
- The Lighthouse Stevensons (2011) Production Assistant
- Above Their Station (2010) as Chief Constable Keith Boone
- The Beauty of Maps (2010) as Narrator (Voice)
- Law & Order: UK (2009) as Philip Woodleigh
- Breaking the Mould (2009) as Alexander Fleming
- Enid (2009) as Kenneth Waters
- No Holds Bard (2009) as Miekel
- Mister Eleven (2009) as Len
- Criminal Justice (2008) as Bill Faber
- The Passion (2008) as Annas
- Jekyll (2007) as Peter Syme
- A New Body at Last (2007) as Narrator
- The Genius of Photography (2007) as Narrator (voice)
- The One Show (2006) as Self
- Robin Hood (2006)
- Feel the Force (2006) as Gordon Campbell
- The Thieving Headmistress (2006) as Father Plunkett
- Bleak House (2005) as John Jarndyce
- Sensitive Skin (2005) as Al Jackson
- Agatha Christie's Marple (2004) as Leo Argyle
- New Tricks (2004) as Steve McAndrew
- Hustle (2004) as Benny
- The Black Death (2004) as Narrator
- Lucky Jim (2003) as Julius Gore-Urqhart
- Timeshift (2002) as Self - Narrator
- Solid Geometry (2002) Writer
- Solid Geometry (2002) Director
- This is Stanley Baxter (2001) as Self - (Narrator)
- The Real Hughie Green (2001) as Himself - Narrator
- Leonard (2001)
- Other People's Children (2000) as Tom
- Bob Martin (2000) as Greg
- Holby City (1999) as Tom Campbell-Gore
- The Bass Player (1999) Director
- The Bass Player (1999) Writer
- Cold Feet (1998) as Alexander Welcht
- Hornblower (1998) as Captain Foster
- The Ambassador (1998)
- The Round Tower (1998) as Arthur Brett
- Hornblower: The Examination for Lieutenant (1998) as Captain 'Dreadnought' Foster
- A Royal Scandal (1997) as Henry Brougham
- Fried Crumbed Brains (1996)
- Pie in the Sky (1994) as Nick Spencer
- Natural Lies (1992) as James Towne
- Born Kicking (1992) as Victor Grace
- Bejewelled (1991) as Alistair
- Die Kinder (1990) as Film Boffin
- Tales from the Crypt (1989) as Frank
- Screen One (1989) as Bernard
- Screen One (1989) as Victor Grace
- The Justice Game (1989) as Dominic Rossi
- One Way Out (1989) as Bernard
- The Zip (1988) as Eric
- Love After Lunch (1987) as Miles Henderson
- Sunday Premiere (1986) as Miles
- Dead Head (1986) as Eddie Cass
- Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV (1985)
- The Chain (1984) as Keith
- The Kit Curran Radio Show (1984) as Kit Curran
- Natural World (1983) as Narrator
- Return of the Jedi (1983) as Wedge
- Bitter Cherry (1983)
- Local Hero (1983) as Gordon Urquhart
- Bergerac (1981) as Giroux
- The Empire Strikes Back (1980) as Wedge Antilles
- The Flipside of Dominick Hide (1980) as Felix
- Armchair Thriller (1978) as David Cooper
- The Girl Who Walked Quickly (1978) as David Cooper
- Fearless Frank (1978)
- Star Wars (1977) as Red Two (Wedge Antilles)
- BBC2 Play of the Week (1977) as Professor Byron Smith / Ernest Dowson
- Providence (1977) as Dave Woodford
- The Man in the Iron Mask (1977) as Claude
- Holocaust 2000 (1977) as 2nd Journalist
- Plays for Britain (1976) as Terrorist
- The Paradise Run (1976) as Terrorist
- Jumping Bean Bag (1976) as Snare
- Survivors (1975) as Norman
- Seven Faces of Woman (1974) as Jerome
- The Merchant of Venice (1973) as Launcelot Gobbo
- Play for Today (1970) as Felix
- Play for Today (1970) as Snare
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Denis Lawson best known for?
Denis Lawson is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Sister Boniface Mysteries (2022), Starship Troopers: Invasion (2012), Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), Celebrity Gogglebox (2019).
When and where was Denis Lawson born?
Denis Lawson was born on September 27, 1947 in Perthshire, Scotland, UK.
How many credits does Denis Lawson have?
Denis Lawson has accumulated over 105 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1970 to 2026.
What is Denis Lawson's background in cinema and television?
Denis Stamper Lawson is a Scottish actor and director who was born on September 27, 1947, in Perthshire, Scotland, United Kingdom, specifically in Crieff, Perth and Kinross. Active in film, television, and theatre, he is perhaps best known for his roles as John Jarndyce in the BBC adaptation of Bleak House and as Gordo...