Billy Boyd
| Sci-Fi/Fantasy | |
| IMDB.com |
Born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1968, this talented young boy,
inspired by Star Wars to try acting, got his first taste of it in
his school's production of Oliver Twist when he was 10. Boyd's
parents were extremely supportive, driving over two hours to get him
to the performances, but sadly they passed away when he was 12. He
was thereafter raised by his grandmother. He realized that he
enjoyed acting very much and told his school counselor that was what
he wanted to be, but the counselor discouraged this choice and told
him to "keep it secret". When he was 17 he left school and went to
work in a book-binding workshop. He worked there 4 years as an
apprentice and 2 years as a workman. Ironically, during the years he
worked at the book-binders, the Lord of the Rings trilogy was
printed and bound there, many copies bound by his hands. After the 6
years as a book-binder, he was thoroughly sick of it. Billy planned
on going to America for a year, but before he went he called the
Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and asked about applying
for when he got back. But it so happened that they still had space
for this year and they asked him if he wanted to apply and he did.
He was at the drama school in a 3-year course for his bachelor of
arts degree, meanwhile studying everything from Shakespeare to
puppet-making. During this time Billy had a few small roles in TV
series such as "Down Amongst The Boys" and "Taggart". After
graduating he performed in many plays like 'The Slab Boys', 'The
Diary of Adrian Mole' etc. at The St. Andrews theatre which were his
first paying roles.
He then received a call from his agent about the Lord of the Rings
movies and if he would like to audition for them. He went along not
expecting much, but within a few months Peter Jackson came out to
Scotland to meet him and to audition him personally. While
rehearsing for a show he received a call from his agent who said
that the part of Pippin had been offered to him - if he wanted it.
The rest is history.