John Barrowman
Biography
John Scot Barrowman is a Scottish-American actor, singer, dancer, musical performer, and media personality. Born on March 11, 1967, he emigrated to the United States with his family at the age of nine. He grew up in Illinois, where his high school teachers encouraged his interest in theatre and music. Barrowman later studied performing arts at the United States International University in San Diego. After visiting Britain, he secured the role of Billy Crocker in the Cole Porter musical Anything Goes. He is best known on British television for his presenting and acting work with the BBC, particularly for his portrayal of Captain Jack Harkness in the science fiction series Doctor Who and Torchwood.
Career overview
John Scot Barrowman was born on March 11, 1967, in Mount Vernon, Glasgow, Scotland, and emigrated with his family to the United States when he was nine years old. Growing up in Illinois, his high school teachers encouraged his love for music and theatre. He went on to study performing arts at the United States International University in San Diego before visiting Britain, where he landed the role of Billy Crocker in Cole Porter's Anything Go.
Barrowman is a singer, actor, dancer, musical performer, and media personality. He is best known on British television for his acting and presenting work for the BBC. His notable television roles include playing Captain Jack Harkness in the science fiction series Doctor Who and Torchwood.
As a professional in the entertainment industry, Barrowman has accumulated numerous known credits in his acting career. His background spans both the United States and Britain, encompassing musical theatre, television performance, and presenting.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- John Barrowman - Laid Bare (2025)
- Doctor Who: Revolution of the Daleks (2021) as Captain Jack Harkness
- Speech & Debate: Legacy (2021) as Lucian Angelo
- Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins (2019) as Self - Recruit 13
- Shopping with Keith Lemon (2019)
- Keith Lemon: Coming in America (2018) as Self
- Fireman Sam: Set for Action! (2018) as Flex Dexter (voice)
- All Star Musicals (2017) as Self - Host
- DC's Legends of Tomorrow (2016) as Malcolm Merlyn
- 50 Years of Star Trek (2016) as Self
- Disney's Broadway Hits at London's Royal Albert Hall (2016) as Himself / Host
- The Flash (2014) as Cutter Moran
- The Flash (2014) as Malcolm Merlyn
- The Wil Wheaton Project (2014) as Self
- Doctor Who: The Ultimate Companion (2014) as Self / Captain Jack Harkness (archive footage)
- Through the Keyhole (2013) as Self
- All Stars (2013) as Matthew
- The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot (2013) as Self
- Gilded Lilys (2013) as Julius Ashford Lily
- Doctor Who Live: The Afterparty (2013) as Self
- Arrow (2012) as Malcolm Merlyn
- Scandal (2012) as The Fixer
- Zero Dark Thirty (2012) as Jeremy
- The Story of Musicals (2012) as Self
- Talking Dead (2011) as Himself
- Celebrity Antiques Road Trip (2011) as Self - Participant
- Torchwood: Web of Lies (2011) as Captain Jack Harkness (voice)
- Doctor Who: Tales Lost in Time (2011)
- Goodnight Burbank (2011)
- My Sarah Jane: A Tribute to Elisabeth Sladen (2011) as Self
- The Ballad of Russell & Julie (2011) as Self
- Eurovision: Your Country Needs Blue (2011) as Self
- The Michael Ball Show (2010) as Self
- Doctor Who: The End of Time (2010) as Captain Jack Harkness
- John Barrowman: Live at the Royal Albert Hall (2010) as Himself
- John Barrowman: Live at the Royal Albert Hall (2010) Executive Producer
- The Super Hero Squad Show (2009) as Stranger (voice)
- Alan Carr: Chatty Man (2009) as Self
- Chris Moyles' Quiz Night (2009) as Self
- Doctor Who Greatest Moments (2009) as Self
- The Justin Lee Collins Show (2009) as Self
- Tonight's the Night (2009)
- Animals at Work (2009) as Himself - Host
- An Evening with John Barrowman (2009) as Himself
- An Evening with John Barrowman (2009) Executive Producer
- Al Murray's Multiple Personality Disorder (2009) as Camp officer
- Celebrity Juice (2008) as Self
- I'd Do Anything (2008) as Himself - Judge
- Bizarre ER (2008) as Narrator (voice)
- Alan Carr's Celebrity Ding Dong (2008) as Self
- Doctor Who Monster Files (2008) as Captain Jack Harkness
- The Making of Me (2008) as Himself
- The Stolen Earth / Journey's End (2008) as Jack Harkness
- Would I Lie to You? (2007) as Self
- The Alan Titchmarsh Show (2007) as Self
- The Big Questions (2007) as Self
- Any Dream Will Do (2007) as Self - Judge
- David Tennant's Video Diary (2007) as Self
- The 50 Greatest Television Dramas (2007) as Self
- Doctor Who: Utopia & The Sound of Drums & Last of the Time Lords (2007) as Jack Harkness
- The One Show (2006) as Self - Guest
- Torchwood (2006) as Jack Harkness
- Dancing on Ice (2006) as Self - Judge
- Hotel Babylon (2006)
- How Do You Solve a Problem like Maria? (2006) as Self - Judge
- The Charlotte Church Show (2006) as Self
- Totally Doctor Who (2006) as Self
- The Sound of Musicals (2006) as Self - Performer
- It Started with Swap Shop (2006) as Self
- Doctor Who (2005) as Captain Jack Harkness
- 8 Out of 10 Cats (2005) as Self
- Doctor Who Confidential (2005)
- The Producers (2005) as Lead Tenor
- The Friday Night Project (2005)
- The Friday Night Project (2005) as Self - Host
- Doctor Who: Bad Wolf & The Parting of the Ways (2005) as Jack Harkness
- Desperate Housewives (2004) as Patrick Logan
- Hustle (2004) as Dr. Dean Deville
- Strictly Come Dancing (2004) as Self
- De-Lovely (2004) as Musical Performer - "Night and Day"
- Method (2004) as Timothy Stevens
- QI (2003) as Self
- Fifth Gear (2002) as Self
- I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (2002) as Self
- Shark Attack 3: Megalodon (2002) as Ben Carpenter
- Putting It Together (2001) as The Young Man
- Titans (2000) as Peter Williams
- Hey, Mr. Producer! The Musical World of Cameron Mackintosh (1998)
- Never Mind the Buzzcocks (1996) as Self - Presenter
- Never Mind the Buzzcocks (1996) as Self - Panellist
- To Me... To You... (1996) as Himself
- Central Park West (1995) as Peter Fairchild
- Ready, Steady, Cook (1994) as Self - Guest
- GMTV (1993) as Self
- Live & Kicking (1993) as Self - Presenter
- Live & Kicking (1993) as Self - Showbiz Presenter
- This Morning (1988) as Self
- Daytime Live (1987)
- The Untouchables (1987) as Street Person (uncredited)
- Broadway: The Next Generation as Self