Mini biography

Born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1968, this talented young boy, inspired by Star Wars to try acting, got his first taste of it in his schools production of Oliver Twist when he was 10. Boyd's parents were extremely supportive, driving over two hours to get him to the performances, but saddly they past away when he was 12. He was thereafter raised by his grandmother. He realized that he enjoyed acting very much and told his school councelor that was what he wanted to be, but the councelor discouraged this choice and told him to "keep it secret". When he was 17 he left school and went to work in a book-binding workshop. He worked there 4 years as an apprentice and 2 years as a workman. Strangely, over the years he worked in at the book-binders, the Lord of the Rings trilogy was printed and bound there, many copies bound by his hands. After the 6 years as a book-binder, he was thorougly sick of it. Billy planned on going to America for a year, but before he went he called the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and asked about applying for when he got back. But it so happened that they still had space for this year and they asked him if he wanted to apply and he did. He was at the drama school in a 3 year course for his bachelors of the arts degree, meanwhile studying everything from Shakespeare to puppet-making. During this time Billy had a few small roles in TV series such as "Down Amongst The Boys" and "Taggart". After graduating he performed in many plays like 'The Slab Boys', 'The Diary of Adrian Mole', etc. at The St. Andrews theatre which were his first paying roles. He then received a call from his agent about the Lord of the Rings movies and if he would like to audition for them. He went along not expecting much, but within a few months Peter Jackson came out to Scotland to meet him and audition him personally. While rehearsing for a show he received a call from his agent who said that the part of Pippin had been offered to him if he wanted it.

Trivia

Attended the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama and graduated with a Diploma in Dramatic Arts.
Sister: Margaret
Parents: William and Mary (deceased)
He's a talented singer; a strong tenor / light baritone voice, F# to A above middle C over 2 octaves. He also plays the guitar, and the bass.
12/1/2002: Topped list of top 100 Most Eligible Men in Scotland
Boyd and his sister were raised by their grandmother after the death of their parents.
Likes porridge for breakfast.
Wears a kilt on some formal occasions.
Won a role as an astronaut by doing the best impression of weightlessness while sitting in a chair.

Personal quotes

"To play one of the main characters in it, it's not the kind of thing you don't do. Oh, I'd rather not play Pippin in Lord of the Rings..., In fact, what else would you rather do, you know? I can't actually think of another job that I'd rather do."

"Hobbits are a lot like Scots. It's all about nature and enjoying their land, which is a very Scottish thing."

"I realised that it was just about Pippin and some other people!" After reading 'Lord of the Rings' for the first time.

On being asked if he could relate to his character, Pippin: "Strangely enough, the first time I tried to read the book I was on holiday in Florida. I dropped it in the pool my first day there. If that's not a Pippin thing to do, I don't know what is."

Filmography

Film:
MASTER AND COMMANDER: The far side of the world 2003
SNIPER 470 2002
THE LORD OF THE RINGS
The Return of the King 2003
THE LORD OF THE RINGS
The Two Towers 2002
THE LORD OF THE RINGS
The Fellowship of the Ring 2001
AN URBAN GHOST STORY 1998
SOLDIERS LEAP
JULIE & THE CADILLACS

Television:
COMING SOON
TAGGART

Theatre:
THE BALLAD OF CRAZY PAOLA
Traverse, Edinburgh
THE SPECULATOR, LORD ISLAY
Traverse for Edinburgh Lyceum
AN EXPERIENCED WOMAN GIVES ADVICE
Royal Lyceum. Edinburgh
THERESE RAQUIN
Communicado at Edinburgh Royal Lyceum
BRITANNIA RULES
Edinburgh Lyceum
KILL THE OLD, TORTURE THEIR YOUNG
Traverse
HANSEL & GRETEL
Edinburgh Royal Lyceum
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
Edinburgh Royal Lyceum
CALEDONIA DREAMING
Traverse, Edinburgh & Tour
WIDOWS ALEXIS
Traverse & National Tour
MERCHANT OF VENICE
Edinburgh Royal Lyceum
TRAINSPOTTING
UK Tour, G & J Productions
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
Cottier Theatre, Glasgow, Original Shakespeare Company
MERLIN THE MAGNIFICENT
Edinburgh Royal Lyceum
THE SLAB BOYS
Byre Theatre, St.Andrew's Rep
SECRET DIARY OF ADRIAN MOLE
St.Andrew's Rep

Video:
WINNERS & LOSERS
Educational Film for United Reform Church

Radio Includes:
BULLSEYE BABES BBC Radio 4
HAND IN GLOVE BBC Scotland
POLICE DIVISION BBC
TAM O'SHANTER BBC Scotland