Person · Actor

Brian Cox

Born

June 1, 1946

From

Dundee, Scotland, UK

Also:
Producer
Director

266

Credits on file

Decades active

In short · Acting since 1962, 7 decades active, 266 credits.

Known for

Ranked by community engagement + sustained interest across this person's credits in our database.

Now & next

Jul 12
In the news
Liam Neeson Replaced Brian Cox as Aslan’s Voice
“During early production of Disney's 2005 adaptation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Scottish actor Brian Cox was initially cast to voice the lion Aslan. After director Andrew Adamson reviewed recordings, he decided the role required a different vocal quality and recast the part with Liam Neeson. Neeson later described his preparation for the role, including trips to African safaris to study real lions, emphasizing the need for both authority and paternal kindness in portraying Aslan. Cox confirmed the change in interviews, noting it was the first time he had ever been fired from a project.”
Jun 16
In the news
Jesse Armstrong Praises Brian Cox and Peter Capaldi Performance
“Jesse Armstrong, creator of 'Succession,' praised Brian Cox and Peter Capaldi for their performance, calling it a 'very good f*** off.' He discussed the origins of his popular HBO drama at the Banff World Media Festival. The show focuses on media tycoons and has gained significant attention for its storytelling and acting.”
Jun 16
In the news
Brian Cox to Receive Raindance Icon Award
“The Raindance Film Festival has announced that Golden Globe-winning actor Brian Cox will receive the Raindance Icon Award ahead of its 34th edition in London. Cox joins previous honorees Miriam Margolyes and Lloyd Kaufman in this year's edition. The festival also plans to honor the late musician Eddie Cochran. The award recognizes Cox's significant contributions to film and television. The festival is set to begin tomorrow.”

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Biography

Brian Denis Cox (born June 1, 1946) is a Scottish actor known for his work in theatre, film, and television. A classically trained Shakespearean actor, he has received numerous awards, including two Laurence Olivier Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a British Academy Television Award nomination. In 2003, he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Cox began his training at the Dundee Repertory Theatre and became a founding member of the Royal Lyceum Theatre. He later trained as a Shakespearean actor and performed in productions with the Royal National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company, earning acclaim for his portrayal of King Lear. He won two Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Actor for his roles in *Rat in the Skull* (1984) at the Royal Court Theatre and *Titus Andronicus* (1988). He received additional Olivier nominations for *Misalliance* (1986) and *Fashion* (1988).

In film, Cox is known for his character roles, including Robert McKee in *Adaptation* (2002) and William Stryker in *X2* (2003). He received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for his role in *L.I.E.* (2001). His other notable film appearances include *Manhunter* (1986), *Iron Will* (1994), *Braveheart* (1995), *The Boxer* (1997), *The Rookie* (2002), *Troy* (2004), *Match Point* (2005), *The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep* (2007), *Coriolanus* (2011), *Pixels* (2015), and *Churchill* (2017).

Cox won a Primetime Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series for his portrayal of Hermann Göring in the television film *Nuremberg* (2001). He guest starred on the NBC sitcom *Frasier* and received a second Emmy nomination in 2002. He portrayed Jack Langrishe in the HBO series *Deadwood* and starred as Logan Roy in the HBO series *Succession* (2018–2023), for which he won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series and was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards for Best Actor in a Drama Series.