Stephen Billington
An English actor who mastered the art of the screen villain, from soap opera terror to cinematic menace.
Born 1964 (age 62)·English actor·Birthday: December 10·Baby Boomers
Biography
Stephen Billington carved out a niche playing characters who simmer with quiet threat. His breakthrough came on the cobbles of 'Coronation Street', where his portrayal of the manipulative Greg Kelly earned him a British Soap Award for Villain of the Year in 1999, a role that made him a household name in the UK. Rather than be typecast, Billington used this recognition as a springboard into a varied career that embraced genre film. He appeared as the tragic vampire Godric in 'True Blood' and brought a cold intensity to roles in films like 'The Last of the Mohicans' and 'Resident Evil: Afterlife'. His presence on screen is often understated but potent, specializing in characters whose danger lies just beneath a polished surface.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Stephen was born in 1964, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Stephen Was Born
The biggest hits of 1964
#1 Movie
Mary Poppins
Best Picture
My Fair Lady
#1 TV Show
Bonanza
Stephen's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1964Born
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
1969Started school
Apollo 11: humans walk on the Moon; Woodstock festival
Gas: $0.35/galHome: $15,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Sugar, Sugar" — The ArchiesBest Picture: Midnight Cowboy
1977Became a teenager
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1980Could drive
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1982Could vote
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1985Turned 21
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1994Turned 30
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2004Turned 40
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2014Turned 50
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 60
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 62 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the 1999 British Soap Award for Villain of the Year for his role as Greg Kelly on 'Coronation Street'.
- Played the ancient vampire Godric in the second season of the hit HBO series 'True Blood'.
- Appeared in major Hollywood films including 'The Last of the Mohicans' and 'Resident Evil: Afterlife'.
- Portrayed the character of Brendan in the cult classic film 'The Wedding Date'.
Did You Know?
He is a trained martial artist, which he has utilized in several of his film and television roles.
Billington played a Stormtrooper in 'Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace'.
He is the grandson of footballer Billy Wright and the great-nephew of footballer Tommy Wright.
He studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.
“The most interesting characters are often the ones who say the least.”
