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James Cosmo made his mark in films such as The Battle of Britain and Highlander before hitting the big time in Braveheart. Blockbusters such as Trainspotting and Wonder Woman followed, while scene-stealing roles on TV in Game of Thrones and Jack Ryan have kept him in the spotlight.
Despite making a healthy living playing the kind of characters you wouldn’t want to meet on a moody Scottish mountain, James prefers fly-fishing to axe-wielding. He considers buying a rowing machine one of his worst money decisions, and will not be investing in films anytime soon.
James, 77, lives with his wife Annie and their two sons near Weybridge, Surrey.
Would you say you’re a spender or a saver?
I’d say I’m more of a spender than a saver. My wife’s the opposite, she’s more cautious, whereas if I’ve got it, I’ll splurge.
Did your childhood influence your attitude to money?
We were brought up in Clydebank, which was the shipbuilding capital of the world. It was a very blue-collar area, and while we never had any money I felt privileged to be brought up in a wonderful community. It was a great place for a young kid to grow up, it was safe and gave me the right outlook on life, I believe. For example, I’ve always felt meanness is a horrible trait. It’s not healthy to be mean or to fear spending money.
What was your first job?
I started work as a shipbreaker, alongside some amazing characters. We used to play three-card brag in our 40-minute lunch breaks. It was a bit like The Boys from the Blackstuff, only a bit dirtier. Back then, I was living at home and getting £7 a week, which I gave to my mum. She’d give me a couple of quid back, and you could get six pints of Guinness and a fish supper for one and a half quid. That was a night out for you.
Did you enjoy the work?
Yes, and I’d return to it whenever I was between acting jobs. I really enjoyed working on the roads, building sites, or any labouring because there’s a satisfaction you get out of being paid for physical effort lacking in other kinds of work. When you’re physically tired there’s a feeling of well-being about yourself, you’ve expended energy because you wanted money to look after yourself and your family.
How did you get into acting?
I always wanted to be an actor, but that only started when I was 17 and went down to London to see my father, who was acting in Dr Finlay’s Casebook, a popular TV show. I met him at lunchtime in a pub on Brompton Road as they were rehearsing in an army drill hall next door. I met the director, and being a big, strong, young lad she asked whether I was an actor. I said yes, and my dad nearly choked on his pint. I got a part in a couple of episodes and they could tell I didn’t know east from west, but I got away with it, and I’ve been getting away with it ever since.
When did you begin to make money from it?
It took quite a while. I remember being out of work for long spells, 18 months on one occasion, and questioning whether I was an actor who’s labouring to earn some money or just a labourer. I knew that some actors, if they’re lucky, have a period when things start to work for them, but I also knew that for others the career never takes off. For me, things started to happen in my late thirties, about when my wife and I got together and we had our first kid.
When did you feel you’d made it?
Braveheart was the one that brought the recognition. It was a wonderful opportunity and I’ll be forever grateful. I was paid around £80,000 to £90,000, which at that time,30 years ago, was a pile of money. We managed to put down a really healthy deposit on our first house as a result.
What happened after Braveheart?
When Braveheart came out, I got a call to see this guy called Doug McGrath who was directing Emma, with Gwyneth Paltrow and he wanted me to play her father. I mean, me in a Jane Austin film, it’s ludicrous. Anyway, I met him and all he did was talk about Braveheart. Well, we did that for about half an hour and then I left, and they offered me the part.
The film industry is so predictable. If you’ve been in a big film that’s been a big success, they wrongly think that if they employ you some of that stardust will rub off on them. Of course, it never does. I was just a bloody actor in a successful film. It was nothing to do with me.
What role made you the most money?
Jack Ryan. This was right in the middle of Covid. It took about eight months of my life, but when you get paid a lot of money you take it in your stride. As any actor will tell you, having a great year, financially, doesn’t guarantee you’ll have a great one next year when the tax people come knocking.
What have you ever bought just because you can afford it?
I bought my wife a nice Rolex watch when I was in Switzerland. When it comes to other stuff, I’m a sucker for advertising about fly-fishing rods, because I think I’ll catch more fish if I buy whatever they’re promoting. Obviously I don’t, but that doesn’t stop me.
Apart from really good fishing equipment, I don’t spend money on much. Not because I want to save, but because I’m not interested. My wife has to tell me to change my tee shirt because I look like a vagrant when I go to Waitrose, but it just doesn’t occur to me.
What’s been your best money decision?
Getting on the property market as quickly as I could, and getting the mortgage paid off as quickly as possible. We’ve no mortgage on our home, which is near Weybridge in Surrey.
And your worst money decision?
The rowing machine that clutters up part of our bedroom, that I’ve used about four times and cost me about £4,000 – that was a great investment! It sits there as a reminder that buying a rowing machine will not make you fit unless you use it.
Have you ever considered investing in a film?
As far as I know, it’s the quickest way to become a millionaire, but only if you start as a billionaire! Never, ever put money in the film industry.
What do you invest in?
I have invested in a highly respected but reasonably priced blended whisky called Storyman. It’s doing well here, in America and in China, and it’s starting to build a reputation. It’s won all sorts of prizes, including gold at the People’s Choice Spirits Awards. I’m very proud of it and now it’s a matter of slowly building that core market of people who when asked what they’d like reply, I’ll have a glass of Storyman, please.
What’s up next for you?
I’ve got a six-part BBC serial called Nightsleeper that’s coming out in the autumn, and a piece called The Choice for Netflix. I’ve also done a really intriguing piece for Amazon called Fear, which is a three-parter with Martin Compston that’s set in Scotland. So, I’ve been reasonably busy, which should keep the tax people reasonably happy.
- Storyman whisky, inspired by James Cosmo, is available for £55 a bottle from storymanwhisky.com
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