1967 –
Scottish born actor John Barrowman spent most of his early life in the USA.
He first came to prominence in the UK as a co-host on the Saturday morning children’s TV show Live & Kicking. This was followed by a stint as presenter on BBC1’s The Movie Game.
After returning to the USA, Barrowman had leads in two short-lived soaps, Titans and Central Park West. Both were produced during a time of renewed interest in prime-time soap opera, thanks mainly due to the cult hit Melrose Place. However neither show managed to find a large audience and they were swiftly cancelled.
An accomplished singer and dancer, Barrowman has appeared on the West End stage in Anything Goes, Miss Saigon, Beauty and the Beast, and Grease among other musicals. He has also appeared in plays, most recently A Few Good Men with Rob Lowe and Suranne Jones.
As Captain Jack, Barrowman has brought the legendary BBC sci-fi show Doctor Who into the 21 st century by portraying a bisexual action hero – who even kissed Dr Who on the lips! His success in the role has led producer Russell T Davis to cast him in the lead of a Dr Who spin-off, Torchwood, which begins filming in 2006.
After the arrival of the Civil Partnership Act in the UK, Barrowman announced that he would sign the Civil Partnership register with his long-term partner, Scott Gill.