From Lawyer to Hollywood: Gerard Butler's Journey to Finding His True Calling

Gerard Butler's Career Shift

Before Gerard Butler ventured into acting, he was on a path to become a lawyer in Scotland. In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Butler, 55, shared his transformative journey with his Den of Thieves 2: Pantera co-star O'Shea Jackson Jr..

The Excitement of Acting

Butler recalls landing his first professional acting role in a Shakespeare production after helping the casting director. He reminisces, "I was the last person to go in after two days of auditioning... it was the happiest day of my life." This pivotal moment came after a period of sobriety, as he reflected on his chaotic lawyer training.

Living His Purpose

Butler describes the exhilaration he felt that day, realizing he was living his purpose. He shares, "It just all felt so right. I'd never experienced an excitement like that and more guilt-free than creating an excitement for all the wrong reasons."

Early Career Highlights

Starting his career in 1997 with roles in Mrs. Brown and Tomorrow Never Dies, Butler has since starred in major films like The Phantom of the Opera, 300, and Olympus Has Fallen.

A Lesson Learned

Reflecting on his firing as a trainee lawyer, Butler notes, "It opened the way... often when you think the worst thing has happened, it turns out to be the best thing." This revelation led him to pursue acting, which he had dreamed about since childhood.

Sobriety and Reflection

In a previous interview, Butler opened up about his journey to sobriety, emphasizing how it has changed his perspective on life and career.

Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is currently in theaters.