Born:
June 13, 1943
in
Leeds
Best Known For:
A Clockwork Orange.
Early-life:
Born Malcolm John Taylor on June 13, 1943, in Horsforth, Leeds. He moved to Liverpool when he was three and also spent time in Bridlington, where his parents owned a pub; his father also spent time in the RAF. He has two sisters - one is the mother of Primeval and 24 actor Alexander Siddig. Malcolm attended Cannock House boarding school in Kent, where he first decided to become an actor. He later studied at the London Academy of Music and Art, then made ends meet as a waiter and salesman before landing acting roles.
Career:
After changing his name to McDowell (his mother's maiden name) to avoid clashing with another actor called Malcolm Taylor, he started out in the theatre, before making his TV debut in Crossroads. His first film was 1967's Poor Cow, but his scenes were cut from the completed movie. McDowell's breakthrough was If... in 1968. Directed by Lindsay Anderson, it was followed by two more movies featuring McDowell's character of Mick Travis - O Lucky Man! and Britannia Hospital. He's also since appeared in such cult hits as A Clockwork Orange, Caligula, Blue Thunder and Star Trek: Generations. Other projects include Our Friends in the North, Gangster No. 1, Hidalgo, Franklin & Bash, The Mentalist and the remakes of Halloween and its sequel.
Quote:
"The best thing I did was abuse myself when younger - I dabbled in everything, cocaine, booze, women - because now I don't have to do it anymore."
Trivia:
He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2012.