James Mackenzie (actor)

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James Mackenzie
James mackenzie raven (cropped).jpg
Mackenzie as Raven in 2009
Born (1979-05-15) 15 May 1979 (age 45)
Dundee, Scotland
Alma mater Queen Margaret University College
Occupation(s)Actor and game show host
Years active1995–present [1]
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Website http://www.jamesmackenzie.co.uk

James Mackenzie (born 15 May 1979) is a Scottish actor and game show host, best known for playing the original lead role in the children's game show Raven . His titular character's catchphrase on the show was "Let the challenge... Begin." He has also played Gary Trenton in the BBC Scotland soap opera River City . Since 2018, Mackenzie has played a widower father in the CBeebies show Molly and Mack .

Contents

Personal life

Mackenzie was born in Dundee and has lived in Scotland all his life. He was educated at Queen Margaret University College, where he studied acting. [1] He is the son of actor Michael Mackenzie, who in the 1970s played the title role of Tarot in Ace of Wands , a cult children's TV series of the time; [2] Mackenzie Sr. also made several appearances in Raven: The Island as Cyrus, as well as in River City, with Mackenzie playing the character Alasdair Quinn. [2]

Career

His television career has mainly focused on the Raven series, but he has also appeared in several other television programmes, such as Rebus , Taggart , [3] CBBC series Dani's House and Scottish soap opera River City . His stage career over the years has spanned everything from Macbeth to pantomime. His voice can also be heard on many commercial voiceovers. [4] In 2013 Mackenzie starred in the stage adaptation of Roger Hunt’s autobiographical book Be Silent or Be Killed, [5] which details the author's personal experiences trapped in the Oberoi Hotel in Mumbai during the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks [6] Mackenzie toured the UK with Dundee Rep's production of Sunshine on Leith , [7] a musical based on the songs of the Proclaimers, starring alongside The Lord of the Rings' Billy Boyd. [8]

As well as his acting work, he has also presented for CBBC on a couple of occasions, and appeared as a special guest presenter on the CBBC art show, SMart . [9] He currently has a part on Molly and Mack as a widower father, and played a convict called Caleb in season 4 of Outlander. [10]

Filmography

Television
YearTitleRole
1997–1999 Taggart Keith Burns
2001 Rebus Pete
2002–2010 Raven Raven
2017–2018Raven of Old
2006 Still Game Leader of the Neds
2006 Raven: The Island Raven
2007 Raven: The Secret Temple Raven
2009 Raven: The Dragon's Eye Raven
2011–2012 Dani's House Zorlock
2015–2017 River City Gary Trenton
2018– Molly and Mack James
2018–2019 Outlander Caleb
2019 Swashbuckle Al-Hoy
2024A Scottish Love SchemeRory

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References

  1. 1 2 "James Mackenzie". Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2007.
  2. 1 2 Fotheringham, Ann (25 January 2019). "From Raven to Rabbie - James Mackenzie on his acting journey". Glasgow Times. Gannett Company. Newsquest Media Group. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  3. "James Mackenzie is Scotland's new fantasy pin-up". 2 December 2002. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  4. "The Spotlight: James Mackenzie". Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2007.
  5. "Be Silent or Be Killed". rightlines.net. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  6. 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks.
  7. "James Mackenzie |Brennan Artists". Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  8. "Billy Boyd Interview with The Proclaimers" . Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  9. "CBBC Episode Listing" . Retrieved 6 September 2009.
  10. Truscott, Isabelle (28 November 2019). ""Let the Challenge Begin!" - Raven star takes on Sahara". Peeblesshire News. Gannett Company. Newsquest Media Group. Retrieved 21 March 2021.