Ian Charleson

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Ian Charleson (August 11, 1949, Edinburgh - January 6, 1990, London) was a Scottish actor.

Born and raised in Edinburgh, Charleson attended the Royal High School and then went on to attend Edinburgh University. He initially studied architecture but switched to an MA degree after cultivating an interest in acting. He won a place at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art after graduating from Edinburgh.

His best-known role was as the athlete Eric Liddell in the film Chariots of Fire. Other films in which he appeared included Jubilee and Gandhi.

Charleson, who was gay, died of AIDS. His name was used posthumously for the Ian Charleson Awards, which have been presented annually since 1991 to reward the best classical stage performances by actors aged under 30.

He died while playing Hamlet in Richard Eyre's production at the Olivier. Sir Ian McKellen said that Charleson played Hamlet so well it was as if he had rehearsed the role all his life.