“Balin is Thorin’s advisor and counselor. He has been around, he has experience of war and, as a result, we have an opportunity to make him compassionate. In a world that is sword and axe and death and destruction, to be able to search out and portray emotions that are softer, gentler, makes for a good contrast.”
QUICK BIO
BIOGRAPHY
When Ken Stott was a boy, he first read The Hobbit. As he was heading into reading The Lord of the Rings, his father, who was an English teacher, told Ken not to read The Lord of the Rings. He said “You’ve read The Hobbit, and that’s more than enough Tolkien, now you can move on to something else, like Crime & Punishment or Dostoyevsky”
Ken Stott was brought up Roman Catholic, and was educated at George Heriot’s School.
Three years of his youth, he was in a band called Keyhole, members of which later went on to form the Bay City Rollers. Stott attended Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London.
When Stott was just starting into his acting career, his earnings from acting were minimal, so he was forced to work as a double glazing salesman. Which is echoed in the character he plays in Takin’ Over the Asylum (1994).
Ken Stott was brought up Roman Catholic, and was educated at George Heriot’s School.
Three years of his youth, he was in a band called Keyhole, members of which later went on to form the Bay City Rollers. Stott attended Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London.
When Stott was just starting into his acting career, his earnings from acting were minimal, so he was forced to work as a double glazing salesman. Which is echoed in the character he plays in Takin’ Over the Asylum (1994).
Stott’s early work focused on theatre. With a notable leading role with the Belfast Lyric Theatre, in the dramatization of Dominic Behan’s play about the Northern Ireland troubles The Folk Singer. He has worked in theatre for the Royal Shakespeare Company.
He also featured in an advert for the British COI’s ‘Drinking and Driving Wrecks Lifes’ campaign, where he played a fireman.
Stott started earning roles on television in the 1990’s. He has had small roles in BBC’s Secret Army (1977), The Complete Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare (King Lear, 1982) and The Singing Detective (1986).
His highest-profile television roles include: Messiah (2001-2005), The Vice (1999 – 2003), Promoted to Glory (2003; as a drunk who fantasizes about finding redemption by joining the Salvation Army), Uncle Adolf (As Hitler; 2005), The Girl in the Café (2005) and Rebus (2006; playing the title character)
He also featured in an advert for the British COI’s ‘Drinking and Driving Wrecks Lifes’ campaign, where he played a fireman.
Stott started earning roles on television in the 1990’s. He has had small roles in BBC’s Secret Army (1977), The Complete Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare (King Lear, 1982) and The Singing Detective (1986).
His highest-profile television roles include: Messiah (2001-2005), The Vice (1999 – 2003), Promoted to Glory (2003; as a drunk who fantasizes about finding redemption by joining the Salvation Army), Uncle Adolf (As Hitler; 2005), The Girl in the Café (2005) and Rebus (2006; playing the title character)
Stott’s voiceography includes: Trawlermen (2006-2010), The Miracle Maker (2000), Send In The Dogs (2008-2009), The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)
His film work includes: Hancock and Joan (2008), The Debt Collector (1999) and Plunkett and Macleane (1999).
Stott has starred in many films as a supporting role including: Shallow Grave (1994), Fever Pitch (1997), One Day (2001), King Arthur (2004) and Charlie Wilson’s War (2007)
He has five Olivier Award nominations for various projects.
Stott didn’t know, until he started working on The Hobbit, that the Fellowship encounter his characters tomb in the Mines of Moria after being slain by Orcs.
His biggest problem while working on set was the prosthetics. Balin also was originally going to have a moustache, but it seemed an unnecessary addition. Stott used his native accent for his character.
Stott currently lives with his girlfriend, Artist Nina Gehl.
His film work includes: Hancock and Joan (2008), The Debt Collector (1999) and Plunkett and Macleane (1999).
Stott has starred in many films as a supporting role including: Shallow Grave (1994), Fever Pitch (1997), One Day (2001), King Arthur (2004) and Charlie Wilson’s War (2007)
He has five Olivier Award nominations for various projects.
Stott didn’t know, until he started working on The Hobbit, that the Fellowship encounter his characters tomb in the Mines of Moria after being slain by Orcs.
His biggest problem while working on set was the prosthetics. Balin also was originally going to have a moustache, but it seemed an unnecessary addition. Stott used his native accent for his character.
Stott currently lives with his girlfriend, Artist Nina Gehl.
AWARDS
YEAR
|
WORK
|
AWARD
|
CATEGORY
|
RESULT
|
2001
2002 2008 2009 |
The Vice
The Vice Hancock & Joan Hancock & Joan |
BAFTAs
Royal Television Society, UK BAFTAs, Scotland BAFTAs |
Best Actor
Best Actor Best Acting Performance in Television Best Actor |
Nominated
Nominated WON Nominated |
MOST NOTABLE MILESTONES
1997:
2008: 2009: 2010: 2014 |
Stott was nominated for Best Actor at the Laurence Oliver Awards for his role in the Yasmina Reza play, Art
Nominated for a Scottish BAFTA for his performance as comedian Tony Hancock in Hancock and Joan Starred in another West End production of a Reza play, God of Carnage Starred in a revival of Arthur Miller’s A View From The Bridge at the Duke of York’s Theatre Stott portrayed the father of cookery writer, Nigel Slater, in Slater’s autobiographical novel Toast, opposite Helena Bonham Carter and Freddie Highmore Received a Olivier Award nomination for his outstanding performance in Arthur Miller’s A View From The Bridge. Stars in the TV series, The Missing, as Ian Currently filming Man Up |
KEN STOTT PORTRAYS:
BALIN
The Hobbit Trilogy
The Hobbit Trilogy