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Stephen Marcus
Stephen Marcus
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Stephen Marcus (born Stephen Mark Scott; 18 June 1962) is a British actor, best known for his role as Nick the Greek in the British gangster classic Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998).

Key Information

Other credits include My Beautiful Laundrette (1985), Hear My Song (1991), The Beautician and the Beast (1997), Angela's Ashes (1999), Quills (2000), Kinky Boots (2005), The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005), Hogfather (2006), Kingdom (2007), Lark Rise to Candleford (2008), Ninja Assassin (2009), Interview with a Hitman (2012), Starhunter ReduX (2017), Rise of the Footsoldier 3: The Pat Tate Story (2017), and The Big Ugly (2020).

Early life

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Marcus, who was born June 18, 1962 in Portsmouth, Hampshire.[1] became an actor in 1984 after three years of training at ArtsEd Performing Arts School in Chiswick, London Borough of Hounslow.[2]

Career

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Marcus spent his early career touring throughout London's parks and schools in Robin Hood & The Tree Trick, securing his first film role as 'Moose' in the cult film My Beautiful Laundrette (1985),[2] alongside Saeed Jaffrey and Daniel Day-Lewis. From 1989, Marcus played Dave, the lover of Sharon, (played by Pauline Quirke), in the comedy Birds of a Feather (1989–1991).[1]

A year of acting in commercials introduced Marcus to director Peter Chelsom, who cast him as Gordon in Hear My Song (1991),[3] opposite Ned Beatty. He starred opposite Timothy Dalton in The Beautician and the Beast (1997),[3] and alongside Richard Harris in Savage Hearts.[2]

In 1996, Marcus's agent arranged a meeting for a small low-budget movie with a then-unknown director named Guy Ritchie, who offered Marcus the role of 'Nick the Greek', alongside Nick Moran, Vinnie Jones, Jason Statham and Matthew Vaughn, in British gangster comedy Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.[1]

Marcus appeared in Alan Parker's Angela's Ashes (1999);[3] he played Bouchon in Quills (2000),[3] alongside Kate Winslet, Michael Caine, Joaquin Phoenix and Geoffrey Rush; Kinky Boots (2005),[3] he played Iris opposite Judi Dench,[3] and portrayed golfer Ted Ray in the Bill Paxton directed The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005).[1]

Marcus starred in the television series: Starhunter 2300,[3] in which he played Rudolpho De Luna; he played the co-lead in the BBC series Cavegirl;[3] he played Banjo and Broadman in the adaptations of Terry Pratchett's Hogfather (2006),[1] and Marcus also appeared with Stephen Fry in Kingdom (2007).[1] Marcus has also completed two films with the Wachowskis: Speed Racer and Ninja Assassin (2009).[1]

In April 2012, he completed filming for independent British gangster thriller Two Days in the Smoke, in which he played the hitman Ben, alongside Snatch star Alan Ford and Matt Di Angelo from BBC Hustle.[4] Smoke director Ben Pickering cast him as the vengeful Max in his second feature, the British psychological thriller Welcome to Curiosity (2018). The same year, launched a new Gangster London walking tour in association with Brit Movie Tours, in which he explores the dark history of London's East End.[5] He also starred in Perry Bhandal's Interview with a Hitman (2012) as Traffikant, a Romanian Crime Boss, alongside Luke Goss.[6]

He was series regular Matthew Welby in Lark Rise to Candleford (2008),[3] and as Rudolpho deLuna in Starhunter ReduX (2017).[3] He starred Jack Whomes in the British gangster movie Rise of the Footsoldier 3: The Pat Tate Story (2017).[3]


Filmography

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Key
Denotes works that have not yet been released

Film

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Year Film Role Notes
1985 My Beautiful Laundrette Moose
1991 Hear My Song Gordon
1992 In Dreams Policeman / Roman Guard Television film
1995 Savage Hearts Hector
1996 Killer Tongue Ralph
1997 The Beautician and the Beast Ivan
Black Velvet Band Nudge Television film
1998 Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels Nick the Greek
1999 Angela's Ashes English Agent
2000 Secrets & Lines Animal Television film
Sorted Rob
Quills Bouchon
2001 Fourplay Davey
Iris Taxi Driver
Redemption Road Joe
2002 AKA Tommy
Unconditional Love Thug in Rain
2003 Don't Look Back Uncle Max
2004 The Baby Juice Express Lenny von Something
Stage Beauty Thomas Cockerell
2005 The Greatest Game Ever Played Ted Ray
Kinky Boots Big Mike
2008 Speed Racer Security Goon
2009 Ninja Assassin Kingpin
2012 The Hot Potato Freddie
Interview with a Hitman Traffikant
2013 Getting Back to Zero Tommy
Fast & Furious 6 Davies
Justin and the Knights of Valour Guards 1,2 & 3 Voice role
It's a Lot Mr. Hatherly
2014 AB Negative Mr. Fines
The Smoke Ben
2016 The Pit and the Pendulum: A Study in Torture The Prisoner Short film
Sanctuary Joseph
Gridiron UK Eddie
Eliminators George
2017 The Rizen The Executioner
Fanged Up Reeves
Rise of the Footsoldier 3: The Pat Tate Story Jack Whomes
2018 Walk like a Panther 'Gladiator' Glenn Higgins
Welcome to Curiosity Max
2019 The Rizen: Possession The Executioner
2020 The Big Ugly Big James
TBA The Last Ferry Cockney In Production

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1987 Hardwicke House Joe Episode: "Prize-giving"
Brush Strokes 2nd Pub Customer Episode: "Series 2, Episode 6"
1988 Rockliffe Masked Spokesman Episode: "Top Man"
1989 The Bill Purkis Episode: "Overspend"
Boon Curly Robinson Episode: "Do Not Forsake Me"
1989–91 Birds of a Feather Dave Recurring role; 3 episodes
1990 ScreenPlay Firsts Mal Episode: "Arrivederci Millwall"
Stay Lucky Neil Episode: "Bring Back My Barny to Me"
1991 Van der Valk Burly Man Episode: "Doctor Hoffmann's Children"
Billy Webb's Amazing Stories Chip Shop Man Episode: "Part Three"
1992 Me, You and Him Graham's Father Episode: "On the Town"
Gone to Seed Customer Episode: "Series 1, Episode 4"
1993 The Bill Wayne Smith Episode: "The Law in Their Hands"
Paul Merton: The Series Various Episode: "Series 2, Episode 3"
Red Dwarf Bear Strangler McGee Episode: "Gunmen of the Apocalypse"
KYTV Large Man Episode: "Get Away with You"
Between the Lines Mortuary Assistant Episode: "Some Must Watch"
1994 99-1 McCarthy's Man / Pursuer Episode: "The Hard Sell"
Frank Stubbs Promotes Journalist Episode: "Babies"
Screen One Newman Episode: "Doggin' Around"
1995 The Bill Ade Lester Episode: "Water Wings"
Crime Story Gary Thompson Episode: "Hot Dog Wars"
The Glam Metal Detectives Various Recurring role; 5 episodes
Rumble Melvin Series regular; 6 episodes
Class Act Geoff Episode: "Series 2, Episode 2"
The Thin Blue Line Terry Episode: "Honey Trap"
Coogan's Run Gerald the Sumo Magician Episode: "Thursday Night Fever"
1996 Our Friends in the North Cyril Hellyer Episode: "1966"
Kavanagh QC Baxter Episode: "A Stranger in the Family"
1997 The Detectives Fat Reg Episode: "The Curse of the Comanches"
Paul Merton in Galton and Simpson's... Thug Episode: "The Wrong Man"
1998 The Bill Tony Bladwell Episode: "Heat and Light"
Real Women Van Driver Episode: "The Hitch"
Dangerfield Jay Butterfield Episode: "Double Helix"
1999 Adam's Family Tree Bulgar the Bulgarian Episode: "Here Comes the Hun"
Roger Roger Detective Sergeant Calderwood Episode: "Love Rules the Heart, Money Takes the Soul"
2000–04 Starhunter Rudolpho deLuna Series regular; 44 episodes
2002 The Basil Brush Show Santa Claus Episode: "Molly Christmas"
Cavegirl Dad Series regular; 18 episodes
2004 Mile High Dave Episode: "Series 2, Episode 3"
The Lenny Henry Show Episode: "Revival Pilot"
Eyes Down Bloke Episode: "Thief"
2006 Without a Trace Roger Episode: "Check Your Head"
Casualty Tommy Indler Episode: "Different Worlds"
Terry Pratchett's Hogfather Banjo Cropper Miniseries; 2 episodes
2007 Doctor Who Jailer Episode: "The Shakespeare Code"
Kingdom Hill Recurring role; 3 episodes
The Bill Cliff Taylor Episode: "Crash Test"
2008 Lark Rise to Candleford Matthew Welby Series regular; 10 episodes
Terry Pratchett's The Colour of Magic Broadman Miniseries; 1 episode
Sunshine Big Alan Miniseries; 2 episodes
Little Dorrit Bath Attendant Miniseries; 2 episodes
2011 Midsomer Murders Silas Trout Episode: "The Night of the Stag"
2012 The Comic Strip Presents... Dirty Douglas Episode: "Five Go to Rehab"
2013 Holby City Jarvis Well Episode: "The End of the Beginning"
2015 Man Down Nightclub Bouncer Episode: "Perfect Woman"
EastEnders Gordon Cook Recurring role; 3 episodes
2016 Benidorm Joe Luis Episode: "Teetotal Geoff"
Doctors Dale Everly Episode: "Home Help"
The Coroner Gobby Mitchell Episode: "Those in Peril"
2017 Will Henry Austen Episode: "The Two Gentlemen"
Starhunter Transformation Rudolpho deLuna Miniseries; 3 episodes
2017–18 Starhunter ReduX Rudolpho deLuna Series regular; 8 episodes
2019 NCIS: Los Angeles Andy Green Episode: "A Bloody Brilliant Plan"
2021 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Nearby Patron Episode: "The Gang's Still in Ireland"

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Stephen Marcus (born Stephen Mark Scott; 18 June 1962) is an English actor renowned for his role as Nick the Greek in the 1998 cult crime comedy film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, directed by Guy Ritchie. Born in Portsmouth, Hampshire, Marcus trained for three years at Arts Educational Schools in London before launching his acting career in 1984, with his screen debut following in 1985. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he has amassed over 60 credits in film, television, theatre, and audio productions, often portraying tough, charismatic supporting characters. Marcus continues to act, with recent credits including the 2025 film A Blind Bargain and the video game Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine - Master Crafted Edition. His early film work includes the role of Moose in Stephen Frears' My Beautiful Laundrette (1985) and Gordon in Peter Chelsom's Hear My Song (1991). Marcus gained further recognition in the 2000s with appearances in Philip Kaufman's Quills (2000), opposite and ; the biographical drama Iris (2001); the comedy Kinky Boots (2005); and action films such as the Wachowskis' (2008), the martial arts thriller (2009), and (2013). On television, he has made guest appearances in popular British series, including Dave in Birds of a Feather (1989–1998), episodes of (1990s), the 2007 story "The Shakespeare Code," and (2000s). Additionally, Marcus has contributed to audio dramas and theatre, and in July 2012, he launched the Gangster London walking tour, drawing on his experience with gangster film genres.

Early life and education

Childhood in Portsmouth

Stephen Marcus was born Stephen Mark Scott on June 18, 1962, in , , . Portsmouth, a historic coastal city and known for its maritime heritage, served as the backdrop for his early childhood. Limited public information exists regarding his family background or specific formative experiences during these years, though he grew up in the port city before relocating to for acting training.

Acting training at ArtsEd

Following his childhood in Portsmouth, Stephen Marcus enrolled in the three-year acting program at (ArtsEd) in , , around 1981. The intensive at ArtsEd equipped Marcus with foundational skills essential for professional , including stage performance techniques to build confidence and physicality on live stages, voice work to refine and projection, and ensemble to foster collaboration and improvisation in group settings. These elements were central to the school's higher acting course, emphasizing practical, industry-ready training through workshops, rehearsals, and performances. Upon completing his training, Marcus began his career with participation in touring children's theater.

Acting career

Debut and early roles (1985–1997)

Stephen Marcus made his screen debut as in the 1985 British film , directed by . In the film, which explores themes of interracial romance, , and racial tensions in Thatcher-era , Marcus portrayed a gang member involved in antagonistic acts against the Pakistani protagonists, including of the titular laundrette. His role as the brutish marked an early entry into cinema, highlighting his ability to embody tough, working-class characters amid the film's critique of and economic disparity. Following his training at the Arts Educational Schools (ArtsEd) in , Marcus continued building his film resume with supporting parts in subsequent projects. In the 1991 comedy-drama Hear My Song, directed by , he played Gordon, a character in the ensemble surrounding a Liverpool nightclub owner's quest to book the elusive tenor , contributing to the film's humorous take on Irish immigrant life and nostalgia. Later, in the 1997 romantic comedy , Marcus appeared as Ivan, a minor figure in the fictional Eastern European dictatorship setting, supporting the central plot of a New York hairdresser () mistaken for a teacher. These roles, often brief and character-driven, showcased his versatility in comedic and dramatic contexts while keeping him in supporting capacities. On television, Marcus gained visibility through guest appearances in the BBC sitcom Birds of a Feather from 1989 to 1991. He portrayed Dave, the on-again, off-again lover of the character Sharon (played by ), across episodes such as "Shaft" and "Women's Troubles" in 1989, and "Baby, Come Back" in 1991, adding to the show's domestic humor centered on two sisters navigating life after their husbands' imprisonment. He also appeared in the sci-fi Red Dwarf in 1993, playing Bear Strangler McGee in the episode "Gunmen of the Apocalypse." These recurring spots helped establish his presence in British TV , leveraging his everyman persona. During this period, Marcus often navigated minor roles and commercial work, including a notable appearance in a Shake 'n' Vac carpet freshener advertisement, reflecting the challenges of breaking through in the competitive British acting scene. His early career involved touring in children's theater and sporadic screen opportunities, which occasionally led to in rough-edged, blue-collar parts, limiting him to ensemble or background contributions before wider recognition.

Breakthrough in Guy Ritchie films (1998–2000)

Marcus's breakthrough came with his casting as Nick the Greek in Guy Ritchie's debut feature film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998), a role secured after his agent arranged a meeting with the then-unknown director in 1996. In the film, Nick the Greek is one of four childhood friends—portrayed as working-class Londoners—who win a high-stakes card game only to fall into crippling debt with a sadistic crime boss, leading them to orchestrate a risky robbery of their noisy neighbors. Marcus's portrayal of Nick emphasizes the character's street-smart loyalty and hapless optimism, contributing to the ensemble's dynamic of frantic improvisation amid escalating chaos, which helped define the film's signature blend of violence, humor, and camaraderie. The movie's innovative nonlinear structure, rapid-fire dialogue, and cockney slang revitalized the British gangster genre, achieving cult status and grossing over $28 million worldwide on a modest budget, while launching Ritchie's career and influencing subsequent crime comedies. This performance marked a pivotal shift for Marcus, elevating him from supporting roles to more visible parts in international productions. Building on the exposure from Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Marcus secured a supporting role as the English Agent in Alan Parker's (1999), an adaptation of Frank McCourt's Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir about poverty in 1930s . In the film, his character briefly interacts with the protagonist's family during their struggles, adding a layer of bureaucratic antagonism to the narrative of hardship and resilience. The critically acclaimed , nominated for two , showcased Marcus's versatility beyond gangster fare, though his appearance was brief. Later that year, he transitioned to period drama with the role of Bouchon, a boisterous asylum inmate, in Philip Kaufman's Quills (2000), which dramatizes the final days of the . Playing a fellow patient who aids in smuggling de Sade's writings, Marcus contributed to the film's exploration of and , sharing the screen with stars like , , and in a project that earned five Oscar nominations. These roles capitalized on the industry buzz from his Ritchie collaboration, broadening his profile in literary adaptations. The experience also forged key professional ties for Marcus, including his initial rapport with Ritchie, whose fast-paced directing style he credited for honing his comedic timing, though they did not reunite on screen soon after. He also networked with co-stars such as Sting, who played the enigmatic crime lord JD, and , whose debut as the enforcer Big Chris exemplified the film's casting of real-life , fostering connections that echoed in later British film circles. Overall, this period from to solidified Marcus's reputation as a reliable capable of bridging gritty crime tales and historical dramas.

Television work and later films (2001–present)

Following his breakthrough roles in Guy Ritchie's films, which provided a platform for expanded opportunities in television, Marcus transitioned into a steady stream of TV appearances and supporting film parts, often leveraging his distinctive tough-guy persona in crime and action genres. One of his most prominent television roles during this period was as Rudolpho De Luna in the sci-fi series Starhunter and its continuation Starhunter 2300, spanning 2000 to 2004 with 44 episodes total, where he portrayed a charismatic but roguish spaceship pilot and trader. Later TV credits included a recurring role as Matthew Welby in the period drama Lark Rise to Candleford (2008–2011), appearing in 10 episodes as a local figure navigating rural English life, and guest spots as Hill in the legal comedy-drama Kingdom (2007), with three episodes alongside Stephen Fry. He also guest-starred as the Jailer in the Doctor Who episode "The Shakespeare Code" (2007). These roles highlighted Marcus's versatility in ensemble casts, blending humor and drama, and he continued with guest appearances in long-running series such as Midsomer Murders (2011), playing Silas Trout in the episode "The Night of the Stag." In films, Marcus maintained a presence in the action and crime sectors, often in supporting roles that echoed his early gangster characterizations. Notable examples include the Taxi Driver in the biographical drama Iris (2001); Big Mike, a factory worker in the comedy-drama Kinky Boots (2005); the Security Goon in the Wachowskis' Speed Racer (2008); the menacing Kingpin in the martial arts thriller Ninja Assassin (2009); Davies in Fast & Furious 6 (2013). He later took on Jack Whomes, a real-life figure in the criminal underworld, in the gangster prequel Rise of the Footsoldier 3 (2017), and Big James, a mob enforcer, in the crime thriller The Big Ugly (2020). While frequently typecast in gritty crime narratives, Marcus diversified into horror with his portrayal of Reeves, a prison officer in the zombie comedy Fanged Up (2017), showcasing his ability to inject comic timing into tense, supernatural settings. As of November 2025, Marcus remains active, with recent and upcoming projects including the role of Charlie in the supernatural thriller Dark Ascension (2025) and Mallos in the A Blind Bargain (2025), further demonstrating his ongoing commitment to genre-blending work.

Other activities

Gangster London tours

In 2012, Stephen Marcus launched the Gangster London walking tour in partnership with Brit Movie Tours, drawing on his experience in British cinema to guide visitors through the criminal underbelly of 's East End. The two-hour tour begins in areas like and winds through historic sites tied to notorious figures such as the , including their former haunts and crime scenes, while also stopping at filming locations from iconic gangster movies like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. It concludes at Columbia Road in , offering participants a blend of historical context and cinematic lore. The tour emphasizes the rich history of British gangster films alongside real-life underworld tales, with Marcus providing insider anecdotes from film productions and personal encounters with former gangsters and associates, such as and . These stories highlight the overlap between fictional portrayals and actual East End criminality, making the experience engaging for enthusiasts and buffs alike. Marcus's narration, informed by his on-screen roles in the genre, adds authenticity, as he recounts behind-the-scenes details from sets where he interacted with directors and co-stars. The Gangster London tour quickly gained popularity among fans, earning consistent 5.0-star ratings on platforms like Viator based on over 360 reviews praising its entertaining and informative format. By 2017, actor Vas Blackwood assumed primary guiding duties to allow Marcus to focus on acting commitments, though Marcus remained involved as the tour's founder. As of 2025, the tour continues to operate regularly through Brit Movie Tours, attracting international visitors interested in London's gangster heritage and occasionally featuring special events tied to film anniversaries. This venture has extended Marcus's public profile, positioning him as a go-to expert on the city's criminal and cinematic past beyond his acting credits.

Writing and production endeavors

In addition to his acting career, Stephen Marcus has ventured into writing and production, drawing on his experiences in the film industry to create content that explores behind-the-scenes aspects of cinema. His most notable literary work is the Have a Butcher's: The Making of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, published in November 2017 by . The provides an insider's account of the production of the 1998 in which Marcus starred as Nick the Greek, detailing on-set challenges, financial hurdles overcome with investments from Sting and , and the film's rapid rise to cultural phenomenon status. Through interviews with co-stars and inclusion of never-before-seen photos and original storyboards, Marcus chronicles how the low-budget project launched the careers of director and actors like , while reflecting on his own pivotal role in the ensemble. Marcus has also expanded into and production, co-authoring the Que Sera Sera with Frank Crim, a story centered on an aging bouncer's quest for love. The script earned recognition as a genre winner in the 2023 Emerging Screenwriters International Competition, highlighting its dramatic and thematic depth. Marcus intends to produce, direct, and star in the adaptation, building on his legacy to helm a that blends personal storytelling with his established tough-guy persona. These endeavors underscore his transition from on-screen performer to multifaceted creator, leveraging insights from iconic roles to influence British independent cinema.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Stephen Marcus has been married to Sarah Nelson since the mid-2000s. The couple relocated from to in late 2017 to advance his acting career, a move Marcus described as pursuing opportunities in the "Mecca for Actors." He has publicly praised his , calling her "the most beautiful woman in the world." The couple shared their home with two small dogs named Fry and Ronnie, both of whom passed away in recent years. Marcus maintains a high level of privacy regarding other aspects of his family life, with no public details available about children or extended family as of 2025.

Name and identity

Stephen Marcus was born Stephen Mark Scott on 18 June 1962 in Portsmouth, Hampshire, United Kingdom. He adopted the stage name Stephen Marcus upon launching his acting career in the mid-1980s, following his training at the Arts Educational Schools in London. In his professional credits, Marcus has consistently used the name Stephen Marcus across , television, and voice work since his debut, with occasional references to the alternative "Steve Marcus" in industry profiles. As of 2025, he continues to be known publicly and professionally as Stephen Marcus, including in recent projects such as .

References

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