Denis Lawson Movies and Career Information

Denis Stamper Lawson (born 27 September 1947) is a Scottish actor and director. He is known for his roles as John Jarndyce in the BBC's adaptation of Bleak House and as Gordon Urquhart in the film Local Hero, but is best known for playing the part of Wedge Antilles in the original Star Wars trilogy. Lawson was born in Crieff, Perthshire, the son of Phyllis Neno (née Stamper), a sweet seller and Laurence Lawson, a watchmaker. Lawson was educated at Crieff Primary School (then called Crieff Public School). After the 11 plus examination, he went on to Morrison's Academy before attending the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. His sister, Carol Diane McGregor, a retired teacher who still lives in Perthshire, is the mother of actor Ewan McGregor. Lawson began his acting career with a small role in a 1969 stage production of The Metamorphosis in London's West End. and has since starred in television dramas such as The Merchant of Venice (1973) opposite Laurence Olivier as Shylock, Rock Follies (1976) and Dead Head (1986). He played X-wing pilot Wedge Antilles in all three original Star Wars movies, a series that would in its prequel star his nephew Ewan McGregor. Lawson later