Brian Cox is an Emmy Award-winning actor, first coming to attention in the early 1970s with performances in numerous television films. His first big break was as "Dr. Hannibal Lecter" in Manhunter. The film was not overly successful at the box office, although Cox's career prospects and popularity continued to develop. Throughout the 1990s, he appeared in nearly 20 films and television shows, as well as making numerous TV guest appearances.

More recently Cox has had roles in some major films, including Murder by Numbers, The Corruptor, The Ring and X2.


Scottish-born, but of Irish Catholic extraction. First actor to portray Dr. Hannibal Lecter on the screen. He played Hannibal Lecter in the film, Manhunter (1986). In 2002, he co-starred with Edward Norton and Philip Seymour Hoffman in the film 25th Hour (2002). In 2002, Norton and Hoffman also starred in Red Dragon (2002), which was a remake of Manhunter (1986). He was awarded the Laurence Olivier Theatre Award in 1989 (1988 season) for Best Actor in a Revival for "Titus Andronicus". He was awarded the 1987 London Critics Circle Theatre Award (Drama Theatre Award) for Best Actor for his performances in The Taming of the Shrew, Titus Andronicus, and Fashion. He does not watch or view his own work. Has performed in several movies playing a government official in which another actor has amnesia but later discovers they are secret government assasins: The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) where the amnesia victim is actress Geena Davis, The Bourne Identity (2002) with Matt Damon having the amnesia, and also X2 (2003) where the victim is played by Hugh Jackman. Alumnus of The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Member of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in Stratford Upon Avon, England, where he is most recognized for his performance of 'King Lear'. Appears in Manhunter (1986) with Joan Allen. Each of them later went on to work with the other's successor. Cox's successor as Lecter, Anthony Hopkins, appeared in Nixon (1995) with Allen. Cox worked with Allen's successor, Emily Watson, in The Boxer (1997). Although it is indicated in X2 (2003) that his character (William Stryker) is at least 20 years older than Bruce Davison's character (Senator Kelly), in real life, he is only 27 days older. Has appeared in two films about legendary Scottish heroes. In 1995 he appeared in both Braveheart (1995) and Rob Roy (1995). Second son Torin Kamran Charles born October 2004. Based his portrayal of "Hannibal Lecter" on Scottish serial killer Peter Manuel. Youngest of 5 children. Elected Rector of Dundee University (Scotland), the city of his birth, and will take up the position in Spring 2010.