Andrew Scott is an Irish actor best known for his portrayal of Jim Moriarty in the BBC series Sherlock. Born in Dublin, Ireland in 1976, Scott became interested in acting from a young age. He attended the Drama Centre London and began his professional acting career on stage in the 1990s.
Scott achieved his big break when he was cast as Moriarty, Sherlock Holmes’ nemesis, in Sherlock. His sinister yet charismatic performance as the consulting criminal made Moriarty one of the most iconic villains on television. Following his success on Sherlock, Scott went on to land major roles in several high-profile projects including Spectre, Black Mirror, and Fleabag.
Throughout his career, Scott has established himself as one of the most talented actors of his generation. Lauded for his versatility and commitment to every role, he continues to take on compelling projects across mediums. With his brilliant performances and widespread critical acclaim, Andrew Scott’s net worth has become a highly respected actor with an impressive body of work across theater, television, and film.
Early Life and Education
Andrew Scott was born on October 21, 1976 in Dublin, Ireland. He grew up in the Ballsbridge suburb of Dublin with his parents Nora and Jim Scott, and his older sister Sarah.
Scott became interested in acting at a young age and joined youth theatre groups. He attended Gonzaga College, a private Catholic school for boys in Dublin. As a teenager, Scott landed his first professional acting role in a 1994 episode of the Irish police procedural TV series Making the Cut.
After finishing secondary school, Scott attended Trinity College in Dublin where he studied drama. He was very active in the university’s Players’ Theatre Group, taking on lead roles in plays like Translations and The Glass Menagerie. Scott’s passion for acting continued to grow during his time at Trinity.
Career Beginnings
Andrew Scott’s acting career began on stage in his home country of Ireland. In 1994, at age 17, he was cast in his first professional role in the play Translations at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. He went on to study acting at Trinity College Dublin, graduating in 1998.
After completing his studies, Scott began landing roles on Andrew Scott’s net worth stage and screen. His early credits included parts in films like Korea (1999) and Nora (2000). He also appeared in TV shows like Ballykissangel (1996) and Blackpool (2004).
However, it was Scott’s work in theater that launched his career. In 2002, he starred as Judas Iscariot in a production of The Woman Before at the Royal Court Theatre in London. His performance earned him an Ian Charleson Award commendation. Other notable early stage roles included Konstantin in The Seagull (2001) and Malvolio in Twelfth Night (2004).
Scott continued working steadily on stage and screen in the UK throughout the early 2000s, gaining recognition for his intense acting style and versatility. These early roles paved the way for his major breakout part in 2010.
Breakthrough Role in Sherlock
Andrew Scott achieved widespread fame and recognition for his portrayal of Jim Moriarty on the hit BBC series Sherlock. Moriarty serves as Sherlock Holmes’ arch-nemesis in the show, portrayed as a ruthless and cunning criminal mastermind.
Scott first appeared briefly as Moriarty in the first season finale, setting up his larger role to come. In the second season, Moriarty takes center stage as the main antagonist, playing a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with Sherlock. Their climactic showdown on the rooftop in “The Reichenbach Fall” became an iconic scene and pivotal moment in the series.
Scott’s chilling and charismatic performance as Moriarty earned him critical acclaim. Many reviewers singled out his work as a highlight of the show, praising the palpable chemistry between Scott and lead actor Benedict Cumberbatch. Scott imbued the role with equal parts menace, humor, and flair, helping to create an unforgettable villain.
Playing such an iconic literary character in a contemporary reboot brought Scott major mainstream attention. His fame skyrocketed after the show became a global phenomenon, with Moriarty becoming one of the most well-known antagonists on television. Scott continued to reprise the role occasionally throughout the rest of the show’s run. His breakout performance on Sherlock remains one of the defining moments of his career.
Other Notable Roles
Andrew Scott has taken on many memorable roles across stage, TV, and film over his prolific career. Some of his most acclaimed performances include:
Stage
- Hamlet – Scott played the title role in a 2015 production of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy at the Almeida Theatre in London. His rendition of the brooding Danish prince earned critical praise, with The Guardian calling it a “magnetic performance.”
- Sea Wall – This 2008 monologue play written by Simon Stephens saw Scott deliver an intense, raw performance as a man reflecting on love and loss. It later became the basis for the short film Sea Wall/A Life.
Television
- Sherlock – Without a doubt, Scott’s career-defining role is the villainous Jim Moriarty on the BBC’s modern Sherlock Holmes adaptation. As Sherlock’s nemesis, Scott added new dimensions to the character and became a fan-favorite.
- Black Mirror – Scott appeared in the Emmy-winning anthology series’ 2014 Christmas special episode “White Christmas,” playing a mysterious acquaintance of Jon Hamm’s character.
Film
- Spectre – In this 2015 James Bond film, Scott went toe-to-toe with Daniel Craig’s 007 as Max Denbigh, head of the Centre for National Security.
- Alice Through the Looking Glass – Scott voiced a computer-generated incarnation of Paul Whitehouse’s character Haigha in this 2016 fantasy adventure sequel.
Awards and Nominations
Andrew Scott has received several prestigious nominations and awards for his acting work on stage and screen. Some of his most notable accolades include:
- Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in Birdland at the Royal Court Theatre (2015)
- British Independent Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Pride (2014)
- IFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama for his performance in Handsome Devil (2017)
- British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actor for playing Moriarty in Sherlock (2012)
- Irish Film and Television Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Handsome Devil (2018)
- British Independent Film Award nomination for Best Actor for playing Hamlet at the Almeida Theatre (2018)
- Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance in Inherit the Wind (2009)
Scott has proven himself as a superb character actor capable of disappearing into diverse and challenging roles across mediums. His standout performances in both mainstream hits like Sherlock and critically acclaimed independent projects have earned him industry accolades and recognition.
Personal Life
Andrew Scott has been quite private about his personal life over the years. He has chosen to keep details about his relationships and family out of the spotlight.
In 2018, there was speculation that Scott was dating actress Denise Gough after the two starred together in a West End play. However, neither Scott nor Gough publicly Andrew Scott’s net worth confirmed a romantic relationship.
While Scott tends to keep his dating life very private, he has been open about his sexuality. In 2018 interviews, Scott spoke about being gay and said he was surprised some people were not aware of this fact about him as he has not hidden it.
Scott is known for keeping his personal life separate from his acting career and prefers not to discuss details about his relationships, partners, or dating history with the media. He strives to let his work speak for itself and values his privacy when not performing.
Overall, Scott intentionally maintains a sense of mystery when it comes to his off-screen life. While he has been linked to rumored romantic partners over the years, including Gough, he does not comment on the validity of these rumors or share many intimate details with the public. Scott seems to prefer keeping the focus on his professional accomplishments rather than his private relationships.
Andrew Scott’s Net Worth
Andrew Scott has become a renowned actor in film, television, and theater. His impressive body of work and acclaimed performances have made him a highly sought-after star. Scott’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million as of 2023.
The majority of Scott’s wealth comes from his successful acting career spanning over two decades. He rose to international fame playing the role of Jim Moriarty in the hit BBC series Sherlock opposite Benedict Cumberbatch. This breakthrough role significantly increased his earning potential for future projects.
Scott earned around $100,000 per episode by the end of Sherlock’s run. He has since gone on to star in other popular shows like Black Mirror and His Dark Materials, as well as films like Spectre. His high-profile roles command lucrative salaries.
In addition to on-screen work, Scott brings in income from theatrical productions. He has appeared in many acclaimed stage plays in London’s West End and on Broadway. Theatre work provides a steady stream of income for Scott.
Savvy financial investments and real estate assets also contribute to Scott’s multimillion-dollar net worth. He owns property in London and Los Angeles.
Overall, Andrew Scott has accumulated his impressive fortune thanks to his incredible acting abilities and shrewd career choices across mediums. His reputation in the entertainment industry allows him to continually take on high-paying roles. Scott’s net worth will likely continue rising as he remains in high demand.
Real Estate and Assets
Andrew Scott has acquired some high-end real estate over the years thanks to his successful acting career. His main residence is a 3-bedroom apartment in central London that he purchased in 2005 for £645,000.
In 2015, he bought a luxurious villa in the Hollywood Hills for $1.9 million. The 3,000-square-foot Mediterranean-style home has 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, with scenic views of the city. It has a gourmet kitchen, an infinity pool, and smart home technology.
Scott also owns a cottage in the English countryside that he uses as a weekend retreat. He purchased the 5-bedroom home in Surrey for £850,000 in 2012. The property sits on 5 acres of land and includes stables and a tennis court.
Other assets Scott possesses are luxury vehicles like a Jaguar XJ and Range Rover Sport. He also has an extensive watch collection including brands like Rolex, Omega, and Cartier. While Scott keeps his finances private, his real estate holdings and assets reflect his multi-million dollar net worth.
Philanthropy
Andrew Scott is known for his charitable work and support of various causes. He has been involved with several organizations over the years: Visit our Website Time Speed Magazine.
Dementia UK – Scott has been an ambassador for this charity which provides care and support for families impacted by dementia. He has helped raise both awareness and funds through campaigns like ‘United Against Dementia’.
LGBTQ+ Rights – As an openly gay actor, Scott advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and equality. He has worked with charities like Stonewall and participated in events like Pride marches.
HIV/AIDS Research – In honor of his late friend Kevin McGee, Scott supports organizations funding HIV/AIDS research. He has been involved with the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s annual Academy Awards viewing party.
Save the Children – Scott is an ambassador for Save Andrew Scott’s Net Worth the Children and has traveled with them to see their work firsthand. He has helped raise money for their education programs and emergency relief efforts.
CALM – The Campaign Against Living Miserably works to prevent male suicide. Scott has partnered with them to promote mental health awareness among men.
In addition to donating his time, Scott also gives financially. While he tends to keep his philanthropy private, his charitable efforts show his dedication to making a difference.
