Ewan McGregor Career Retrospective | SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations

Career Q&A with Ewan McGregor. Moderated by Jenelle Riley, Back Stage.
EWAN MCGREGOR (Henry) has proven himself as a true actor time and again, from his breakthrough role as the heroin-addicted Mark Renton in Irvine Welsh's Trainspotting, to the legendary Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars Episode 1, to starring as "Christian" opposite Nicole Kidman in the Academy Award® and BAFTA award winning musical Moulin Rouge directed by Baz Luhrmann.
He was most recently seen starring in Focus Features' slice-of-life film, Beginners, opposite Christopher Plummer, based on director Mike Mills personal story. Beginners recently won for Best Ensemble Cast and Best Feature at the 2011 Gotham Film Awards. The film also received the Best Feature nomination at the upcoming 2012 Independent Spirit Awards and attention by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

[@fionanicolson2021]

What a pure heart he has, no guile, no pretence, no posturing, no trying to shine, just honest communication.

[@claudes.whitacre1241]

I've watched dozens of these interviews. They all seem like very nice people. And it dawned on me that the commonality is the interviewer. Outstanding interviewing skills. She makes her guests look more interesting and lets them tell the story without interrupting.

[@MKD371]

Even more interesting dreamland stunning careers than they've had? No they are just good actors and as far as we know nice people.

[@RalphRoberts1]

She's the interviewer I prefer. Her voice alone is easy and welcoming. Also from time to time a conversation from just before the interview is mentioned so I think they get comfortable with each other a little beforehand.

[@CavanOGrady413]

I thiink a lot of interviewers want the guest to answer in a certain way and try to guide them if they don't. She asks her questions and lets the guests be themselves and take as much time as they need to tell their story or make their point. If an assist is needed to help them get there, she'll help, but otherwise she lets them doing their way.

[@victoriateague9012]

He has kind eyes. In his stuff he tells the story with his eyes.

[@thegoodlifechannel8018]

You hit the nail on the head.

[@CavanOGrady413]

Jenelle is a great interviewer. Her enthusiasm brings out the best in guests, but it doesn't interfere with them being who they are by projecting herself too much into it. And she doesn't try to get them to answer in the way she wants. She lets them talk and tell their life story in the way they want (although obviously she guides them with the questions), and not in the way she wants by frequently interrupting like other interviewers.

[@NunyaBus99]

Wow, what an excellent interviewer. Great balance of good questions, and letting Ewan speak. He is just so painfully handsome.

[@skepticfishy7018]

@ODIN Force you ain’t gonna f.

[@d3vild0g66]

@ODIN Force q what the fuck..c'mon man

[@d3vild0g66]

Who the fuck is this and what I want

[@ksw4942]

Yes.

[@JesseSaintJesse]

I love this interviewer and I don't take her for granted - Ive watched so many different people on-line do interviews and that's when you realize that there really is an art to it - there is a reason Barbara Walters is "BARBARA WALTERS". And so all these people on the internet think that they can do interviews and they suck - they don't listen, they interrupt, they talk about themselves, they don't understand where to take the interview - Janelle Riley is AMAZING! She really has a gift for what she does!

[@huzefajawadwala1347]

Agree !

[@Mandeepd13]

I could not agree more, i have been noticing her from past 3 years and she really is different.

[@eddiemcgrath8536]

in fairness, could have picked a better interviewer than Barbara Walters to make your point, i.e anyone else.

[@TheBella2u]

Yea she listens, it’s a lost art.

[@doctorfunkshock]

She's incredibly knowledgeable, considerate, apropos, well-researched and knows film. She makes it work.

[@jackiehonda]

I'm amazed. That's my first interview with him. You can feel how greatly Ewan enjoys and respects what he does. People with such life-sensibility are always interesting to listen to. Respect!

[@positivelypetpartners]

He's so good at telling stories as actors are wont to do....but he's very well spoken, and you can see in that he was raised by 2 teachers. He's also very easy on the eyes.

[@vesper180]

Ewan is so funny, talented and easygoing! He would probably be someone who'd be awesome to have as a friend...I could listen to him all day!

[@lmc2664]

Vesper check out his interactions with Craig Ferguson at his late late talk show. It was a lot funnier than this interview

[@cest_what]

lmc2664 Thanks, I will!

[@melissaroberts3166]

@@lmc2664 0i

[@leeperson6985]

@@lmc2664 we

[@fionanicolson2021]

Love Ewan McGregor. Such a great, humble, talented man. ❤❤❤

[@haydenwayne3710]

What an amazing soul! A deeply wonderful Human Being. Truly blessed!!!!

[@JoanDoris1]

He's so cute, and I love his laugh. Bless his heart for all he shared in this conversation. I'm going to watch some of his movies soon.

[@janedellapenna3713]

So interesting. Love Jenelle who asks intelligent questions and gives plenty of time to Ewan who is so lovely and funny.

[@GwenniferPhalange]

yeah, she seems really nice and is not interrupting, really really cool.

[@jondowee]

The best. That's Ewan McGregor. Exemplary.

[@caidyc]

You are a wonderful interviewer, Jenelle. You represent the actors so well. It’s very refreshing and entertaining.

[@PlaybyRaine]

He is my dream. Legitimately my FAVORITE actor, then Leo Dicaprio, then Johnny Depp, then Matt Damon. Ewan is just up there.

[@thijsbrandhof3986]

These interviews are fantastic. Thanks a lot for putting them up!

[@classicalaid1]

Interesting....in North America we would say: 'putting them on!'

[@doctornov7]

I watch this periodically. It's so great and there's so much truth and laughs in there!

[@golu_badbola]

Just saw The Pillow Book. What an astonishing piece of art.

[@krr74]

he doesn't look like a grandpa, but he sort of seems like a sweet grandpa. he s lovely

[@vaskylark]

He really does remind me of a Grandpa. Well said!

[@azindn248]

Been a Ewan fan since the mid-90s and Shallow Grave, Trainspotting, and Scarlet and Black. Watched him grow up out of his boyishness to a mature and very sexy leading man. In the meanwhile, he's always been charming and so funny. My collection of "Ewan stuff" is filled with interviews which this is one of the better ones. Thanks!

[@lunablue745]

Julien Sorel is my favorite literary character. No one but Ewan McGregor could have done Julien justice. I'm so glad when I see people include "The Scarlet and the Black" in his extraordinary work! :-)

[@haso323]

The Interviewer is beautiful and talented!

[@alban226]

You guys really need to get James mcavoy on this

[@ashleyf1318]

This ^^^^

[@lunablue745]

I CAN NOT believe that someone would interview Ewan McGregor charting his movie roles and totally miss one of THE BEST portrayals of all time; Ewan as Curt Wild in Velvet Goldmine! He was absolutely sensational in that film. Someone should do their home work! ;-)

[@MermaidPrincess9]

+Cobain Dreamer I agree Cobain Dreamer .. I watch that Movie 2 x week or more and watch Ewans 2 Performances Most Esp Gimmer Danger i m sorry but he performs and sings that song better than its Originator Iggy Pop > Ewan has so much Sex Appeal and Charisma on Stage he blows me away !! He is Sexy and Dynamic and So Believable as Rock Star .. That Song and His Portrayal and Performance of Iggy Pop are Mind Blowing thats why I have to watch that Scene Every day 2 -3 x a Day and Curt wild in TV Eye Rocks too ... He makes the Movie .... Ewan McGregor is an Class all his own as an Actor i truly believe that what he said about totally emersing himself in his Scences and making it as real as possible and connecting with the other Actors or Actresses .. is why he is SO Mesmerizing on Screen and What makes him the Great Extraordinary Actor he is ... He is not your A typical Hollywood Star in it just for the Fame and Glory and the MOney .. He is a True Artist in it for the Love of the Art the Craft of Acting .. But Still a Star in every Way that shines Brighter than any Other on the Silver Screen simply Love and Adore him and even in Interviews so REal !!!! I agree i was disappointed she did not discuss that ROle as Curt wild ... in Velvet Goldmine .. I also watch Every Day Scarlet & Black Fantastic Min i Series for BBC 1993 .. Love thsi Movie Julien Sorrell .. If not see it watch it ! Cheers

[@fionanicolson2021]

Love Ewan, such an honest man❤❤❤

[@Nautilus1972]

Ghost Writer (polanski, 2010) was a gem of a movie.

[@KungaMatata]

Dude that is a masterpiece! Ewan is fantastic as usual

[@scottcrosby-art5490]

One of the finest young actors around

[@JulietHaas]

I LOVE that Ewan stepped aside and asked if he could speak about the Greenaway film The Pillow Book. It is one of my favorite Ewan McGregor films, and truly a piece of artwork. Far more potent than many of his films afterward on a long list of wonderful films on Ewan's CV.

[@rubinagladis5285]

i fell for him while watching "a life less ordinary" and that nontheless his awful haircut in that movie :-) he's just so damn adorable

[@May04bwu]

+Rubina Gladis I fell for him when I was 5 and saw Star Wars Ep. I for the first time. It's been 16 years and I still think he's amazing :D

[@tatianadavidson5271]

+May04bwu I'm only 11 and my heart stops every time I see him

[@classicalaid1]

Ewan's performance as the penniless poet in the film MOULIN ROUGE was so memorable!

[@larkfly]

He is the epitome to me of being a great, iconic actor. What a wonderful gift of an interview, I loved every minute of this 2 hour interview. He is not only a wonderful actor, he is a true storyteller, all he needed was a roaring fire behind him. I have watched a lot of these interviews, and this was by far my favorite!

[@doula2010]

Ewan is really an amazing man. He was probably very lucky to have had a wonderful set of parents and extended family. He seems to have a firm grasp on the important things in life and that is what makes him such a great actor and performer. I always know that just by him being in a production that I will enjoy it. Glad also that he has been with his wife for so long. Getting married at 25 for a man and being with them same woman says to me that they know how to communicate with each other . I hope the audience really listened to him because he really gave out some great pearls for living a happy life.

[@THEDOORIZCLOSED]

Umm...sadly this comment didnt age well :(

[@wahn10]

Wonderful, inspiring artist and man. Jenelle is a great interviewer, letting him really tell his best stories.

[@loveismyair]

What a fantastic interview! Ewan is so entertaining and unassuming ~ love that he loves the idea of romance so unabashedly ~ a man after my own heart! His Christian is my favorite! ♥

[@ThierryRocksTV]

+loveismyair Obi Wan is my favourite!

[@marcziegenhain8420]

May the force be with you, Obi-Wan.

[@mitchellbrown8061]

The best way to do an impression of someone is to repeat what ever the selected person says. It works. I'm currently working on Ewan McGregor.

[@av-ge5ht]

- Back to Trainspotting, there was any physical preparation involved? - Yeah. I took a Lot of heroin. LMAO! Great sense of humour!

[@angelmush8603]

Haha he did actually take it once to see what the movie was about etc and went down to speak to heroin addicts I think I saw him say this in the making of trainspotting or sn interview.

[@Sepia3000]

"I'm working on a Scottish accent for a piece" LOL

[@tollcross4755]

There are dozens of different accents in Scotland. Good luck!

[@victoriaceleste2632]

@@tollcross4755 the accents from Scotland and Gales are similar?

[@DonDuracell]

Great actor and yet his best work for me is when he did the documentary "Long way round" where he rode a motorcycle around the world with a friend and a small crew.

[@M124M]

Awesome😊😊😊😊

[@alexandervue9464]

Love the interviewer and love Ewan!!!

[@kirastus]

Intelligent, knowledgeable and wonderful interviewer, and what an amazing collection and helpful interviews! Now please let's have Denziel Washington, Michael Fassbander, Benedict Cumberbatch, Anthony Hopkins, Jodie Foster, Julianne Moore.... Sorry if you already have some of them on, I'm still very excitedly working through the entire catalogue...

[@Dyrwen]

Here in 2019 watching Obi-Wan talk up Spider-Man as a great actor.

[@lynnie6633]

He's a great actor, and also really interesting. And Janelle is so wonderful.....She could interview a bag of rocks and it would be interesting!!!!

[@novatime3214]

let her go, anakin let her go

[@endergearl6910]

You have done that, yourself!

[@drummadave]

Only a Sith deals in absolutes...

[@taco8998]

This interview is a bless. Thanks for this great interview and loves for Ewan!!!❤️

[@taco8998]

Hope to see more recently interviews about Ewan.....

[@voidmoon.]

Thank you so much guys!!! You are the best!!! Much love Namaste!

[@PlaybyRaine]

Interviewer is a gem! Love this

[@fionanicolson2021]

Such a beautiful man❤❤❤

[@safaemhirrach6389]

True beautiful and talented actor that I think didn't have the recognition he deserves, for me one of my favourite.and he is sooo charming 😍

[@vanessamcgregor]

Thank you very much! Awesome

[@kiltedcampers]

I just love Ewan McGregor, my favorite actor ever.

[@parkviewmo]

What a lovely human.

[@fionanicolson2021]

He is so articulate.

[@Laudon1228]

I wish she had asked him about Velvet Goldmine.

[@petawaincorporated3803]

I love Ewan... he is the consummate artist who really respect and love his craft.

[@la_xeix]

Loved this interview!! Thanks!! I’ve always loved Ewan as an actor, since I was like 12! But now, I adore him as a person!! (Which I kinda felt would happen😍). I’m also concerned about people worrying about nudity and love/sex scenes but enjoying all kinds of violence. Makes absolutely no sense to me! So thanks Ewan for sharing that in such a honest way! 🥰

[@alexandervue9464]

Love the interviewer!!!

[@lightmeupacigarette]

she's such an incredible interviewer

[@natalie651]

"The problem is they weren't having sex. That's the problem." I agree 100% with his critique of Hollywood and some people about sex in movies vs. violence. It is the most hypocritical thing ever.

[@paulonlee]

I love all her interviews! And I love Ewan MacGregor as an actor and as a wonderful person. I watched him in “Miss Potter” with Renee Zellweger many times over.

[@paulonlee]

Oops! Ewan McGregor

[@mgxshuimgxshui]

Thank you so much for sharing this! And would you please share this year's 'August Osage County' SAG Q&A too? That would be much appreciated. :)

[@penelopelopeztavera7224]

I love him. What a great guy and talented actor.

[@SobayoSowemimoCoker]

Brilliant interview. Very enjoyable

[@alastairsmith13]

really enjoyed it

[@chrisstone6078]

great advice from Ewan, a real look into the art of acting from him, 1.28 gives awesome advice..

[@walkermorgan1710]

Great series keep them up

[@gustavouchida1]

THE PILLOW BOOK! I thought he'd never mention it!

[@Ben-wk4je]

" The reading's off the chart......over twenty thousand........"

[@dallasdandigitalproduction393]

Midichlorians...

[@Kerry72100]

Train Spotting was my 1st experience with Ewan and then Shallow Grave. I was like 👀 and my love affair with foreign indie films began =]

[@samcad-ho3ze]

Ugh. Why is he so fucking perfect?

[@johnjuliantolomi2079]

I love his acting in THE IMPOSSIBLE.

[@zasddsaf]

love him!

[@rose.bianco]

Perfect Sense, the movie, is an amazing movie and experience.

[@cassiecollins209]

Lovely interview. Laughed through a lot of it but that's okay right ;)

[@WaterShowsProd]

I auditioned for the role in the scene he mentions around 1:37:00 but didn't get it. I came this close to being part of an anecdote!

[@twopewe]

awesome, nearly 117 vibrant minutes;)

[@magdalena9777]

I love you Ewan

[@sailingsam3815]

Goodlooking man...gifted actor.

[@xtr3m385]

Ewan is gotta be one of the coolest actors ever.

[@byzantineaura]

Like his laugh

[@cjspear]

That was very good

[@mikechoe97]

Interesting to hear him talk about Tom Holland, before he played Spider-Man and became a global star.

[@Skottink]

I agree Claudes at least to me she comes off likes a lot of us.. genuinely interested an sometimes a huge fan and she does it with dignity an intellectual skill that makes the actor feel comfortable. But let’s not forget the audience is all inspiring actors an actresses for the most part an I think it’s the duty of these successful people to educate. And I think they enjoy that cause they were there too at one point.

[@sherryhale7926]

He is so cute

[@rockandrollman3827]

yeah because average European are smart and hot 😆😆😆😍😍😎

[@thegoodlifechannel8018]

Perfect Sense was prophetic

[@GeorgeBreadman]

Such a nice and funny guy.

[@andrewwhite3793]

Trainspotting was filmed in Edinburgh where I live but the chase scenes confuse the hell out of me due to the way it was cut

[@donkydoodledoop369]

She is very lovely...and very beautiful :)

[@oscarmonroy6337]

He’s so handsome 🧑🏻‍💻

[@sarahleach9997]

wonderful😊😊😊😊💋

[@johngiotopoulos343]

Good interviewer

[@deltabilly1]

Can play everything from a JUNKY to a Jedi!

[@yurigagarin5758]

This man is funny and beautiful 😍😍😍 i like star wars movie he played by obi wan

[@_colin_farrell__]

😍😍😍😍

[@anna.marialau790]

Traum!!!

[@lins_paula]

kkk he was my first crush. Prettiest guy ever still is !

[@Claudio-gt4tn]

1:27:40 True in every aspect of life.

[@username45739]

+Claudio M All walks o life...

[@AB-ii8st]

What movie are they talking about at 1:37:00, the one with the children?

[@yueyin9354]

the impossibles

[@Jbucks24]

His uncle is wedge from star wars so of course

[@THEDOORIZCLOSED]

The interviewer is hella pretty! I love Ewan but still dont know how to pronounce his name. When i was a kid i used to call him “eeewon” lmaoooo. Love all his stories!

[@colonyofrats4193]

U-un

[@THEDOORIZCLOSED]

@@colonyofrats4193 wait what? Lmao