John Barrowman grew up in Scotland, but he and his family moved to Joliet, IL when he was eight years old. Upon the encouragement of his high school teachers, he pursued public speaking, and later, singing and acting on stage. He took dual citizenship in 1985, and studied at the United States International University.
Barrowman began acting professionally at London's West End in 1989, appearing in productions of Anything Goes, Miss Saigon and Sunset Boulevard; he later was nominated for an Olivier Award for his role in the musical The Fix. At the same time, he began working towards a television career, first as a host of the BBC children's show Live & Kicking.
Barrowman is best known, however, for his role as the immortal Captain Jack Harkness on the BBC's Doctor Who. He appeared in a recurring capacity from 2005, and continued to appear in several story arcs until 2010. His character's popularity led to a spin-off series, the darker Torchwood, in 2006.
Barrowman is openly gay, having advocated for LGBT rights in the United Kingdom. In 2006, he became civil partners with Scott Gill.
FILM:
- Method (2004)
- The Producers (2005)
TELEVISION:
- CPW (regular, 1995-1996)
- Titans (regular, 2000-2001)
- Doctor Who (recurring, 2005-2010)
- Torchwood (regular, 2006-present)
- Desperate Housewives (recurring, 2010)