Alan Cumming

Alan was married to his high school sweetheart Hilary Lyon from 1985-1993. The couple separated amicably and had no children.

A self-proclaimed bisexual, Alan is currently married to Grant Shaffer and shares a residence with him in Manhattan. Grant is a graphic artist and the couple recently celebrated their fifth anniversary, on 7th January, 2007. As a part of the celebrations, they repeated their nuptial vows again, on this day.

Alan was born in the Scottish burgh of Aberfeldy to Mary and Alex Cumming. His father served as a forester at the ‘Atholl Estate’, and mother was a secretary in an insurance company.

Alan and his elder brother Tom were raised in the ‘Panmure estate’, where the family shifted in 1969. The young Cumming first went to the ‘Monikie Primary School’, and later attended the ‘Carnoustie High School’. During his student days, he took part in plays, and was associated with the ‘Carnoustie Theatre Club’ as well as the ‘Carnoustie Musical Society’.

After graduating from high school in 1981, Alan worked for ‘D.C. Thomson Publishers’. As a sub-editor, he worked for the pop music magazine ‘Tops’, and also answering the queries of readers through the column, ‘Young Alan’.

The exceptionally talented Alan embarked on his professional theatre career, even before graduating from College. In 1982, he joined the ‘Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama’ to train in regional theatre. He even made appearances in the plays ‘Macbeth’ and ‘Passing Glory’.

He graduated in 1985 with a B.A. in Dramatic Studies, and won numerous awards in verse speaking and direction. To his credit, he had also created a hugely successful cabaret act ‘Victor and Barry’, with another student named Forbes Masson.

After graduation he worked in various theatre venues including the ‘Royal Lyceum Edinburgh’, ‘Dundee Rep’, ‘The Tron Glasgow and tours with Borderline’ and ‘Theatre Workshop and Glasgow Citizens' TAG’.

His role in the 1988 play ‘Conquest of the South Pole’, which was staged at the ‘Transverse Theatre’ in Edinburgh, before it was transferred to the ‘Royal Court’ in London, was highly appreciated, and received an ‘Oliver Award’ nomination for ‘Most Promising Newcomer’.

After shifting base to London, Alan worked with the theatre groups ‘Royal Shakespeare Company’ and the ‘Royal National Theatre’. His portrayal of ‘The Madman’ in the 1990 comedy ‘Accidental Death of an Anarchist’ garnered him many accolades.

Making his film debut in 1992, he appeared in filmmaker Ian Sellar’s drama film ‘Prague’. His acting was highly appreciated and won a ‘BAFTA’ nomination for ‘Best Actor’ and the Best Actor Award at the Atlantic Film Festival. The same year also saw his reprisal on television with an award winning role in BBC TV movie ‘Bernard and the Genie’.

Starring in the lead role opposite his then wife, Hilary Lyon, Alan’s role, as Hamlet in English Touring Theatre’s production of the Shakespearean play, won the ‘TMA Best Actor Award’, in 1993. In the same year he received an ‘Oliver Award’ nomination in the ‘Best Actor in a Musical’ category for his role in the Sam Mendes’ musical ‘Cabaret’.

Though Alan has given some stellar performances in the theatre, his role of the master of ceremonies in the Broadway film ‘Cabaret’, earned numerous accolades. He was bestowed with prestigious awards such as the ‘Tony Award’, ‘Drama Desk Award’ and ‘Outer Critics Circle’ award.