How a chance encounter in Los Angeles changed a Scottish IT student's life
In short: Before he was a familiar face in Outlander and Rebus, Richard Rankin was studying Information Technology in Glasgow. A single conversation at a Hollywood hotel transformed his trajectory from a potential career in science to the international stage of professional acting.
Born Richard Harris in Rutherlen, Scotland, on 4 January 1983, the actor's path toward the screen was far from certain. While attending Glasgow Caledonian University to study IT, a holiday in Los Angeles provided a pivotal moment. During a stay at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, a local film producer informed the then 22-year-old that he possessed the 'look' of an actor. He grew up in the East End of Glasgow and later moved to King's Park at age ten. His upbringing was shaped by a father serving in the police and a mother working in hotels.
Upon returning to Glasgow, Rankin transitioned from technology to the performing arts, auditioning for Langside College alongside his brother, Colin Harris. Both eventually graduated and pursued acting careers. To avoid professional confusion with the famous Irish actor Richard Harris, he adopted his mother's maiden name, Rankin, when applying for his Equity card. This professional rebranding was a necessary step for his identity in the industry. He was one of four boys in his family.
His career has since spanned diverse genres, from the Scottish sketch comedy Burnistoun to high-profile dramas like Outlander, where he played Roger Wakefield MacKenzie. His versatility extends to crime procedurals, including roles in Silent Witness and the lead role in the Rebus reboot, as well as stage productions ranging from Shakespeare's Macbeth at the Almeida Theatre to the National Theatre of Scotland's Black Watch. His early television work included appearances in programs such as Legit and The Old Guys. He also starred in the video game show VideoGaiden.
Beyond the screen, Rankin's interests are multifaceted. He is an avid photographer, having hosted a solo exhibition, 'His Mind’s Eye', in Brooklyn in 2019. He has also contributed to musical projects, performing a song for the Scenes for Survival series during the COVID-19 pandemic. His musical contributions include a single released to support the Scenes for Survival Hardship Fund. He also performed in the musical podcast Atlantic: A Scottish Tale.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Richard Rankin
- Also: Wikidata — Richard Rankin · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Richard Rankin · CC0
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