Kevin McKidd: From Scottish Folk Music to Hollywood Stardom
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Kevin McKidd’s long and successful career in Hollywood has been filled with many interesting roles. He got his start in Scottish folk music before making his way to Hollywood. McKidd has since starred in many movies and TV shows, including “Grey’s Anatomy.”
Kevin McKidd’s Early Life
Kevin McKidd was born and raised in Elgin, Scotland, the son of Kathleen, a secretary, and Neil McKidd, a plumber. He was a member of the Moray Youth Theatre, where he was first exposed to acting. He then went on to study design at Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen. After graduation, he worked for a time as a stagehand at the city’s His Majesty’s Theatre.
His childhood in Elgin, Scotland
Kevin McKidd was born and raised in Elgin, Scotland, the son of Kathleen, a secretary, and Neil McKidd, a plumber. He has a younger sister, Karen. As a child he was involved in various sports including football (soccer), karate and Gaelic football. He went to Amey Theatre School in Elgin. From there he attended Moray Firth College in Dumfries before moving to Edinburgh where he studied design at Telford College.
His love for music
As a young boy, Kevin McKidd loved music. He was born in Elgin, Scotland, in 1973, and his family often travelled around the country to see Scottish folk bands perform. McKidd’s father was a drummer, and his mother played the accordion. When he was just five years old, McKidd began taking accordion lessons. He later learned to play the bagpipes, and he even performed with a Scottish folk band called Whistlebinkies.
McKidd’s love for music led him to pursue a career in acting. He studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) in Glasgow. After graduation, he landed roles in several Scottish television shows and films. In 1996, he made his Hollywood debut in the film Trainspotting. He has since starred in several American TV shows and movies, including Rome,Grey’s Anatomy, and Journeyman.
Kevin McKidd’s Music Career
Kevin McKidd, best known for his role as Dr. Owen Hunt on the ABC medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, has had a long and varied career in music. He got his start as a drummer in a Scottish folk band, then went on to form the alternative rock band iodine. In the early 2000s, he found success as a solo artist in Hollywood, appearing in films like Trainspotting and Moulin Rouge!.
His band, ‘The Dirty Macs’
The Dirty Macs were a Scottish folk band that Kevin McKidd fronted in the early 1990s. The band was known for their high-energy live shows and McKidd’s powerful vocals. They released two albums, “The Red Album” and “The Blue Album,” before McKidd left to pursue his acting career.
His solo career
After leaving the band, Kevin McKidd decided to focus on his solo career. In 1999, he released his first album, entitled “Pure.” The album was a mix of traditional Scottish folk songs and original material, and it was warmly received by fans and critics alike.
In the years that followed, Kevin McKidd continued to tour and release music as a solo artist. He also took on acting roles here and there, appearing in films like “Trainspotting” (1996) and “Plunkett & Macleane” (1999). In 2006, he made his Hollywood film debut in the action-thriller “Smokin’ Aces.”
But it was Kevin McKidd’s role on the hit TV show “Grey’s Anatomy” (2005-present) that really catapulted him to international stardom. As Dr. Owen Hunt, a skilled trauma surgeon with a painful past, Kevin has won over legions of fans around the world. And while he’s no longer making music as a solo artist, he has occasionally lent his vocal talents to the show, singing songs like “Don’t Stand So Close To Me” by The Police and “Dream A Little Dream Of Me” by The Mamas & The Papas.
Kevin McKidd’s Acting Career
Kevin McKidd has come a long way since his days as a Scottish folk musician. He has starred in some of Hollywood’s biggest movies and TV shows, including Grey’s Anatomy and Rome. Let’s take a look at Kevin McKidd’s acting career.
His role in ‘Trainspotting’
Kevin McKidd made his film debut in Danny Boyle’s 1996 black comedy drama Trainspotting, which was based on the Irvine Welsh novel of the same name. McKidd played Tommy, a small-time drug dealer who becomes addicted to heroin. His performance was well received by critics and he went on to win the Best Newcomer prize at the 1996 British Independent Film Awards.
His role in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
Kevin McKidd was born and raised in Elgin, Scotland, the son of Kathleen, a secretary, and Neil McKidd, a plumber. He was a member of the Moray Youth Theatre, before going on to study design at Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen. Acting roles followed with his debut coming in the film Trainspotting (1996) as Tommy, a heroin addict. He also appeared in Small Faces (1996) and My Name Is Joe (1998).
Kevin McKidd’s Personal Life
Kevin McKidd was born and raised in Elgin, Moray, in the northeast of Scotland. His father, Neil, was a plumber and his mother, Kathleen, was a secretary. He has two brothers, Rory and Neil. He attended Elgin Academy, where he was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2008.
His wife and children
Kevin McKidd is married to Jane Parker, with whom he has two children: Joseph, born in 1999, and explanation Anna, born in 2001. The couple live in Los Angeles.
His charity work
Aside from his storied career in entertainment, Kevin McKidd is also well-known for his charity work. He is an active supporter of many different causes, but he has a particularly strong connection to Scotland, where he was born and raised. In 2010, he established thegm35 charity foundation in order to support underprivileged children in Scotland. To date, the foundation has helped hundreds of kids by providing them with educational opportunities and access to extracurricular activities.
McKidd is also a patron of the Scottish Music Centre, which works to promote Scottish music and culture both at home and abroad. In addition to his charitable work in Scotland, McKidd has also supported several other causes over the years. He is a longtime supporter of UNICEF UK and has even served as a judge for their annual Children’s Day photo competition. He has also worked with Save the Children on multiple occasions, most notably in 2009 when he traveled to Ethiopia as part of their poverty relief efforts.
