Overview (3)

Mini Bio (2)

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, and raised in Joliet, Illinois. He returned to the UK, for a 6 month Shakespeare semester with the United States International University of San Diego, but left to star in the musical production of "Anything Goes," with Elaine Page. He went on to star in "Miss Saigon," "Matador," "Rope," and "Hair" at London's West End. Barrowman has homes in London and Cardiff, Wales.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: Lindsey-6

John Barrowman is an Entertainer with a capital E. He sings, he dances, he acts, he presents, he judges - he is a unique talent in the entertainment industry on both sides of the Atlantic. John can currently be seen in the regular role of Malcolm Merlyn (aka The Dark Archer) in the hit American drama series Arrow, based on the Green Arrow comic books. The show has been a huge success all over the world, and is aired in the UK on Sky 1 and on the CW network in the USA. He has appeared in all four series of the show. He subsequently guested as Malcolm Merlyn in The Flash, and has also guested on the CW's hit historical drama Reign. Having guested on the hit American political drama Scandal for the ABC network, he hosted a major new entertainment series for the network, Sing Your Face Off. In the UK on Channel 4 he hosted Superstar Dogs (a game show for dogs) and The Small Animal Hospital with John Barrowman, which followed the work of Glasgow University Veterinary Hospital. He hosted two series of the BBC1 game show Pressure Pad and has hosted The National Lottery Awards on BBC1 three times. Born on 11 March 1967 in Glasgow, where he spent his early years, John moved with his family to Illinois in the United States and later studied Musical Theatre at the US International University in San Diego, California. In 1989, while in the UK to study Shakespeare as part of his university course, he landed his first professional role, starring as Billy Crocker opposite Elaine Paige in the Cole Porter musical Anything Goes. Since then, John's career as a leading man in musical theatre has seen him star in many West End shows, including Matador, Miss Saigon, The Phantom Of The Opera, and Sunset Boulevard. He also reprized the role of Joe Gillis in Sunset Boulevard on Broadway. Sam Mendes' premiere production of The Fix at the Donmar Warehouse garnered John an Olivier Award nomination as "Best Actor in a Musical", and in 2002 he returned to the role of Billy Crocker for the hugely successful National Theatre revival of Anything Goes. He appeared in the West End most recently as Albin/Zaza in the Menier Chocolate Factory's award-winning production of La Cage Aux Folles, performing to full houses for nine weeks in 2009. This role won John the 2010 What's On Stage award for "Best Take-over in a Role". John's initial work in American television drama saw him playing Peter Williams in the Aaron Spelling series Titans for NBC and starring in Darren John Barrowman 1 Star's Central Park West for CBS. He returned to US television in Spring 2010 with a five-episode guest-starring role on ABC's Desperate Housewives. His most famous television role is undoubtedly that of sci-if hero Captain Jack Harkness, whose first appearance in the revamped Doctor Who on BBC1 created such an impact that he was given his own spin-off series, Torchwood. The show achieved the best viewing figures ever on BBC America and has been broadcast around the world. For the fourth series, titled Torchwood: Miracle Day, the BBC teamed up with the US Starz Channel, filming in Wales and the UK. The show aired on the Starz Channel and BBC1 from July 2011. On the big screen, John appeared in the major Hollywood movie Zero Dark Thirty and the 2013 family movie All Stars. Other film roles include the Lead Tenor in The Producers, Jack in the Cole Porter biopic De-Lovely and Ben in the cult classic Megalodon: Shark Attack 3. Alongside his acting career, John has also hosted his own primetime Saturday night BBC1 entertainment show, Tonight's The Night, a co-production between the BBC and Barrowman Barker Productions, in which he made people's performance dreams come true. Other shows he has presented include The Kids Are All Right, BBC's Live and Kicking, Children in Need for BBC Wales in 2008 and for BBC Scotland in 2010, and Keys to the Castle for US channel HGTV. In 2008, John was the subject of a BBC documentary, The Making of Me, in which he underwent tests and researched the science of homosexuality. He also hosts the children's show, Animals At Work, which is broadcast on CBBC and in Canada. John was a judge on BBC1's Saturday night shows searching for new West End stars (How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, Any Dream Will Do and I'd Do Anything), competed in the first series of the ITV celebrity skating show Dancing On Ice, stood in to present Elaine Paige's BBC Radio 2 show and has guested on numerous television chat and panel shows. On Christmas Day 2010, he was one of five celebrities competing to win the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, partnering Kristina Rihanoff to victory with a sparkling quickstep. John embarked on his third concert tour in October 2010 to promote his self- titled album John Barrowman, his third solo CD with Sony, following on from 2008's Another Side (which brought John a Gold Disc) and Music Music Music in 2009. He toured the UK and Ireland again in October and November 2011 to promote his CD, The Very Best of John Barrowman, which was released on 5 September 2011. In June 2012, he performed at open-air concerts in Scarborough and Glasgow, and at the Hampton Court Palace Festival. In 2014 he self-released the album You Raise Me Up, and undertook a 20 date UK concert tour to support the album. In December 2010, John returned to his Scottish roots for his sixth panto outing, reprising the role of Aladdin at the Clyde Auditorium in Glasgow. John has since returned to Glasgow for the 2011-12 pantomime season to star as Robinson Crusoe in Robinson Crusoe and The Caribbean Pirates, the title role of Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk in 2012/13, Dick in Dick McWhittington and as Buttons in Cinderella. In collaboration with his sister, Carole E Barrowman, John has released two volumes of his autobiography, Anything Goes and I Am What I Am, published John Barrowman 2 by Michael O'Mara Books. In January 2008, Anything Goes reached number 2 in the Sunday Times bestsellers' list and remained in the list for twelve weeks. A sci-if/fantasy novel for young adults, Hollow Earth, co-authored by John and Carole, was published by Buster Books in 2012, with a second novel in the series Bone Quill in 2013. The third book in the series, The Book of Beasts, was published in 2014. A new trilogy starts with The Conjuror, to be published in May 2016. The Hollow Earth trilogy has been published in the USA by Aladdin Books (the children's division of Simon and Schuster. John and Carole have also collaborated on a Torchwood novel, Exodus Code, which was published in the UK in 2012, and in 2016 they started writing specific Malcolm Merlyn editions of the Arrow comics for DC Comics. www.johnbarrowman.com

- IMDb Mini Biography By: Gavin Barker Associates LTD

Spouse (1)

Trivia (45)



Presented a children's TV show in the UK called Live & Kicking (1993).

He has performed his cabaret show in New York; Chicago; Washington, D.C.; and Milwaukee.





He was nominated for a 1998 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Actor in a Musical of 1997 season for his performance in The Fix.

Husband of British architect Scott Gill.



Was six months from graduating from the United States International University of San Diego. He's been asked to return but has stated that he's learned more by doing than any teacher could teach him.



Voted best guest actor by readers of Doctor Who Magazine for his five episodes in 2005 season.





Spent some time in Los Angeles chasing movie and TV roles. Made final three in casting for the role of Will in Will & Grace (1998). When he didn't get the part, he demanded an explanation and found he had been rejected as "not gay enough.".

He was joined in a civil partnership (a commitment ceremony which accords same-sex couples many of the same rights as opposite-sex couples in the UK) to his longtime love, architect Scott Gill, at a ceremony in Cardiff Bay on Wednesday 27 December 2006. They were subsequently married in California on 2 July 2013.



He has classified his voice as being a "lyric baritone with a low baritone bottom and a tenor top.".



He drives a high-efficiency diesel Mercedes, which is run on Sun diesel. He's in the market for an electric car, as it is more environmentally efficient.





He recently flew in a Hawker fighter jet representing the Royal Air Force, because Captain Jack (his character in Torchwood (2006)) is in the RAF.

He signed a four-record deal with Sony for doing a very eclectic mix of covers of songs he really likes and things fans have asked him to sing. He wants it to reflect himself, so it will have some musical theater numbers, some pop, and even some country. His first tour started in 2008.





Played Mr. Bumble in Joliet West High School's 1983 production of Oliver! alongside Anthony Rapp (as Oliver) and Andy Dick (as Dr. Grimwig).



According to his autobiography, when the part of Will in Will & Grace (1998) came down to him and Eric McCormack , the producers decided to go with Eric because, as they told John, he (John) was "too straight-acting." John, meanwhile, is openly gay, but they went with a straight actor for the role.

Although he predominantly speaks with an American accent, he says he always speaks with his parents in his natural Scottish Accent.



Was a big fan of ''Doctor Who'' growing up.



Owns a Dalek from the season one finale of 'Doctor Who' and has it placed near his front door.



Is a huge fan of Carol Burnett.



Married his long-time partner, Scott Gill, in California on July 2, 2013.



Dr. Who spin-off Torchwood starts on BBC Three with Barrowman as the lead character, Captain Jack Harkness. [October 2006]



Filming Torchwood Season 3 and preparing for release of new album: "Music, Music, Music" in November. [September 2008]



Appearing in a pantomime play called "Robin Hood - The Pantomime Adventure", in Cardiff, Wales, UK at the New Theatre, Cardiff from 12 December 2009 through 24 January 2010. [December 2009]



Appearing in "A Few Good Men" at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. [August 2005]



In London acting as a judge on the show "I'd Do Anything." [May 2008]



Played Albin/Zaza, a lead role, in the musical "La Cage aux Folles" at the Playhouse Theatre in London's West End from 14 September through 28 November 2009. [September 2009]



Was asked by Steven Moffat to appear in the season six episode ''A Good Man Goes To War'' but he had to refuse as he was busy shooting ''Torchwood: Miracle Day''.



He auditioned to play the Ninth Doctor.



He was awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2014 Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to Light Entertainment and to Charity.



Singer: New album: "You raise me up" (2014).



His character in Torchwood, Captain Jack Harkness, appears in the Mobile game "Doctor Who Legacy", from Tiny Rebel Games and Seed Studio. Released in November 2013. Jack Harkness and Ianto Jones, from Doctor Who and Torchwood, appears in it.



(October 14, 2014) Was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to Entertainment and Charity.



(13/12/2014 to 4/1/2015) Stage Panto "Cinderella" (Buttons) Clyde Autitorium, Glasgow, Scotland. Jonathan Kiley, executive producer.



Panto Fan Awards - John Barrowman: Winner Award for his Outstanding Contribution to Panto. [February 2015]



20-May 2008 NewNowNext Awards - Nomination Brink of Fame Actor.



20 May 2008 NewNowNext Awards - Best Gay Kiss: Jack (John Barrowman) and Ianto (Gareth David-Lloyd) on Torchwood.



Announced he will return to one of his best-known roles on British television when a new Torchwood audio drama is released later this year. [May 2015]



3 October 2014: It's his 25 anniversary in Showbiz.



18 December 2015 Film Forever - Poll The greatest screen couples of all time unveiled. Top 10 TV couples. Number 5. Captain Jack Harkness and Ianto Jones, Torchwood (2006-2011) The pairing of Jack and Ianto gave Torchwood the perfect chance to explore both the wider universe and the small, individual complexities of human affection.



Carol Burnett Susan Egan and he awarded the 1998 Back Stage Garland Award for Performance for "Putting It Together" at the Mark Taper Forum Theatre in Los Angeles, California.



5 November 2016, The Human Rights Campaign - 17th annual Awards (Palm Springs). This year the Visibility Award is being presented to internationally known actor, author, and entertainer John Barrowman MBE. Barrowman will receive the award for his continued advocacy for the LGBTQ community.



2 February 2017 @ukpantofanaward Best Male Lead Award in Pantomime.



Personal Quotes (13)



I was gobsmacked by that. I was absolutely gobsmacked. All these things that are happening. I just sit back and . . . I can't believe it but I love it. I'm totally enjoying it. Because I'm a fan, a sci-fi fan, they have made a young boy's dreams come true. (after being told that his role in Torchwood (2006) had propelled him to "instantaneous National Treasure status")



There's a lot of me in Captain Jack and there's a lot of Captain Jack in me. And there is no pun intended. (on his role as Captain Jack Harkness on Torchwood (2006))



I'm not the sort that likes to go out and get hammered, I'm not the Hotel Babylon (2006) and I let that go years ago now that I am older and wiser.

Remember that I have a family. Remember that I have teenage nieces and nephews--and younger--who do surf the Internet for stuff about their uncle. And I would appreciate if you don't make up rumors and things about me. If you want the facts, go to my Web site. I'm truthful. I'm honest about the way I talk. If you want the truth, come to me. (on what he thinks of what is written about him on the Internet, which he refuses to read)





In the back of his mind, Captain Jack really wants to die because he's lived a long, long time. (on his character's immortality in Torchwood (2006))



Chris ( Christopher Eccleston ) was always grumpy. You don't always have to be intense. There comes a point when intensity makes you miserable - I think that was the case with Chris. I much prefer working with David ( David Tennant ) - he likes to have a bit more fun, he's more charismatic as a person. Chris might have been a great Doc but he was darker and had a chip on his shoulder, he was not as much fun on set as David. I will give him the credit that he was the first Doctor to bring back the series and made a damn good job of it. But I just wouldn't go to the pub with him. On the other hand, David's been to my house, we went to the Madonna concert with our partners - we socialise together. He's a lot more fun.

[during filming of an episode of Torchwood] Gareth (David Lloyd) and I "assumed the position" and went for it. The episode's director never called "cut". By the time Gareth and I were hitting the two-minute mark, my lips were getting numb and Gareth was getting twitchy. "You fuckers!" We both yelled in unison, when we finally realized what was going on and pulled apart.



[on being awarded MBE from Princess Anne (14 October 2014)] I am completely honoured by it, I'm proud to be a British subject, to be part of Great Britain, to be honoured by the Queen and for it to be run through by the Government. I am absolutely thrilled and had no hesitation at all in accepting.



[on Captain Jack's on-screen romances] The best kiss, the person I love kissing the most, was Gareth David-Lloyd, who played Ianto. It was just because I felt powerful, because Gareth is straight. Gareth likes the girls and he totally gave over and was passionate with me and everything. Put it this way: Gareth was always happy to see me. And I felt very powerful when that happened. I was like, I've got something that you don't want but it's still turning you on.



[about Jack Harkness] I've kind of made Jack a hero that I would like to have looked up to as a little boy because as a little boy, I knew I was gay but I didn't know what it was. Didn't know who to talk to about it. ... I wanted kids to like him, and I wanted women, men, I wanted everyone to like him. But first I wanted people to hate him. I wanted them to think he was arrogant and pushy and too sure of himself. And I wanted them to follow the arc of the change he went through in the final episodes of Doctor Who.



On each trip [to the country], my parents extended the range in different directions, covering territory that many of our neighbors in Aurora had never ventured into-which I think may be typical if you live in a city with a tourist economy. How many of my colleagues in Cardiff have actually been inside Cardiff Castle? Gareth? No? It's a date, then. (John Barrowman talking about his family road trips in his autobiography, Anything Goes)



It didn't take long for that party gene to kick in. We headed back to our digs and the five of us - Eve, Burn, Naoko, Gareth, an I-had a blow-out night together. We drank too much, laughed too much and sang too loud. At one point, Gareth hit his head on an antique brass bell and we thought we'd killed him. The landlord complained about the noise (more than once, if I remember correctly.) and then he accused Burn of moving the bathtub. Have you seen the size of Burn? The bathtub had to weigh 500 lbs.



"The result of hours and hours of hanging about is that the cast has become great friends, and we all play well together. In my trailer, for example, I keep a generous supply of NERF toys, balls of all shapes and sizes (Puhleeze. Get a hold of yourself-the kind from Toys R Us.), hula hoops, skipping ropes, and a colorful variety of kites. When we have some down time between scenes, we play-and like any group of grown children, we have nicknames for each other too. Eve's nickname is 'Evie-I don't like it', which I like to pronounce in a whiny Welsh accent. We refer to Burn as 'Binny Bots'. Naoko will answer to 'Coco Chanel' or 'Ping Pong Buckaroo', and Gareth responds to 'Gaz' or 'Gaza'. My nickname is 'Jinny Baza.' I could try to explain the etymology of all these names, but I'm not sure I remember anymore." - John Barrowman talking about the Torchwood cast in his autobiography, Anything Goes

