Bill Paterson - Actor Profile

Bill Paterson

Acting
Freshness: Jan 19, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Jun 3, 1945
Birth Place: Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland, UK

About Bill Paterson

William Tulloch Paterson (born 3 June 1945) is a Scottish actor. Throughout his career he has appeared regularly in radio drama and provided the narration for a large number of documentaries. Paterson has appeared in films and television series including Comfort and Joy (1984), Traffik (1989), Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (1986), Truly, Madly, Deeply (1990), The Witches (1990), Wives and Daughters (1999), Sea of Souls (2004–2007), Amazing Grace (2006), Miss Potter (2006), Little Dorrit (2008), Doctor Who (2010), Outlander (2014), Fleabag (2016–2019), Inside No. 9 (2018), Good Omens (2019), Brassic (2020) and House of the Dragon (2022). He is a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Scottish BAFTAs. William Tulloch Paterson was born in Glasgow on 3 June 1945. Paterson was raised in Dennistoun by his father, a plumber, and his mother, a hairdresser. He states that his interest in acting began with a school trip to the Citizens Theatre in the Gorbals in 1961. However, after school he chose to initially pursue a career based on an interest in architecture and spent three years as a quantity surveyor's apprentice before deciding to attend the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Bill Paterson reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Bill Paterson's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 70% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Bill Paterson remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Day Mountbatten Died, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Bill Paterson Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Bill Paterson's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Bill Paterson.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2024 A Bear Named Wojtek Zoo Director (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2021 The Colour Room Gordon Forsythe Average Similar →
2020 Rebecca Dr. Baker Average Similar →
2020 Marionette Dr. Mandelbaum Average Similar →
2020 Love Sarah Felix Average Similar →
2019 The Day Mountbatten Died Narrator (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2018 Happy New Year, Colin Burstead Gordon Burstead Average Similar →
2018 Wonderdate Kolodon Average Similar →
2017 The Man Who Invented Christmas Mr. Grimsby Hit Similar →
2016 Churchill's Secret Lord Moran Average Similar →
2015 The Vote Simon Featherstone Super Hit Similar →
2011 The Man who Crossed Hitler Kurt Ohnesorge Hit Similar →
2009 Creation Dr. Gully Average Similar →
2009 Spanish Flu: The Forgotten Fallen Dr James Niven Hit Similar →
2009 Into the Storm Clement Attlee Average Similar →
2009 1929: The Great Crash Narrator Hit Similar →
2008 Gone Fishing Old Bill Super Hit Similar →
2008 How to Lose Friends & Alienate People Richard Young Average Similar →
2008 The Madness and Misadventures of Munchausen Self - 'Henry Salt' Super Hit Similar →
2007 Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars Dr Watson Hit Similar →
2006 Miss Potter Rupert Potter Hit Similar →
2006 Amazing Grace Lord Dundas Hit Similar →
2006 A War on Science Narrator (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2006 Fascism in Colour Narrator (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2003 Bright Young Things Sir James Brown Average Similar →
2002 Home Road Movies Father Average Similar →
2002 The Entity - Super Hit Similar →
2001 Othello Sinclair Carver Hit Similar →
2001 The Whistle-Blower D.I. Neil Sleightholme Super Hit Similar →
1999 Sunshine Minister of Justice Hit Similar →
1998 Hilary and Jackie Cello Teacher Hit Similar →
1998 The Animal Train Walrus Hit Similar →
1996 Chaplin's Goliath Narrator (voice) Hit Similar →
1995 Richard III Sir Richard Ratcliffe Hit Similar →
1994 Hard Times Stephen Blackpool Hit Similar →
1992 In Dreams Dr Gold Hit Similar →
1992 Chaplin Stage Manager Hit Similar →
1991 Truly Madly Deeply Sandy Hit Similar →
1990 Yellowbacks Alex McPherson Hit Similar →
1990 The Witches Mr Jenkins Hit Similar →
1989 Bearskin: An Urban Fairytale Jordan Super Hit Similar →
1989 The Return of the Musketeers Charles I Average Similar →
1988 The Adventures of Baron Munchausen Henry Salt Hit Similar →
1987 Friendship's Death Sullivan Hit Similar →
1987 Coming Up Roses Mr. Valentine Hit Similar →
1986 Defence of the Realm Jack Macleod Average Similar →
1984 The Killing Fields Dr. MacEntire Super Hit Similar →
1984 A Private Function Wormold Average Similar →
1984 Comfort and Joy Alan Hit Similar →
1974 Clydescope Model Boat Show Commentator (voice) (uncredited) Hit Similar →

Bill Paterson - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Bill Paterson?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Bill Paterson is "The Day Mountbatten Died" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Bill Paterson acted in?

Bill Paterson has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Bill Paterson?

Other notable films include "The Vote", "A Bear Named Wojtek", and "A War on Science".