Andrew Airlie

Andrew Airlie
PerformerCaprica
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Portrays:	Cornell Gast
Date of Birth:	September 18, 1961
Date of Death:	Missing required parameter 1=month! ,
Age:	64
Nationality:	CAN
Related Media
		@ BW Media
Official Site
IMDb profile

Andrew Airlie (born September 18, 1961) is a Scottish-born Canadian actor who portrayed Cornell Gast, a Graystone Industries board member, in the Caprica episode "Retribution."

Career

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Airlie moved to Toronto in the late 1960s before establishing his career base in Vancouver. He grew up in the Riddrie area of Glasgow before moving back and forth between Scotland and Canada during his youth. In 1980, he returned to Scotland to pursue a football career with Queen's Park as a center-half, but when he didn't make the grade professionally, he accepted a soccer scholarship to Toronto where he would later earn his academic credentials. The well-educated performer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science and a Master's degree in International Relations from the University of Toronto, and also attended Ulster College and George Mason University. Before pursuing acting professionally, he played collegiate and semi-professional soccer in Canada, the United States, and Scotland until earning his master's degree at age 26.

Although Airlie always wanted to act, he lacked the courage to take the plunge initially and was on his way to obtaining his Ph.D in International Relations when he could no longer restrain his aspirations for acting. His inspiration to pursue acting came from his parents, both avid film goers who frequently took him to the cinema and introduced him to all genres. For the young Airlie, the prospect of playing astronauts, lawyers, doctors, soldiers, cowboys, and detectives on the big screen was "just too exciting to pass up."

He began his professional acting career at age 30 with a small role in Andrew Bergman's 1990 mob comedy The Freshman, starring Marlon Brando and Matthew Broderick. Throughout the 1990s, he built his career through guest appearances on television series including The X-Files and Kung Fu: The Legend Continues. He gained recognition for his role in the teen drama series Breaker High before moving on to more substantial roles in the 2000s.

Airlie's career gained significant momentum with appearances in notable productions including the horror film Final Destination 2 (2003) as Christopher Corman and the journalism drama Shattered Glass (2003). His television credits expanded to include guest roles on popular science fiction series such as Smallville, Stargate SG-1, and The 4400. Notably, he made guest appearances on all three of the longest-running North American science fiction series: The X-Files, Stargate SG-1, and Smallville.

Regarding his Stargate SG-1 appearances in "Learning Curve" and "Avatar," Airlie has noted the difference between his two visits to the show. When he returned for "Avatar," the production had become a "well oiled machine" with everyone very relaxed and comfortable, making for an even better experience than his first appearance. The dedicated science fiction fanbase has remained loyal over the years, with fans approaching him years later to discuss specific episodes in detail.

In 2006, Airlie took on recurring roles in two series: Dr. Daniel Lanier on Saved and Don Frazer on the critically acclaimed Intelligence. His most prominent television role came as John Oliver, the father of protagonist Sam Oliver (Bret Harrison), on the supernatural comedy series Reaper (2007-2009). His performance earned him a Leo Award nomination in 2009 for his series regular role. Following Reaper, he played Mission Control Commander Mike Goss on the science fiction drama Defying Gravity (2009).

Following Reaper, he played Mission Control Commander Mike Goss on the science fiction drama Defying Gravity (2009). As Mike Goss, the flight director overseeing a team of eight astronauts on their journey to explore Venus and other planets, Airlie was cast relatively late in the production process when the original series he was contracted to was not renewed. His character was notably different from his usual "nice guy" roles, as Goss was designed as someone who "isn't especially worried about being a nice guy" and is more focused on mission success than making friends. The role allowed Airlie to explore a more authoritative, by-the-book character who maintains professional distance while managing the enormous responsibility of a multi-billion dollar space mission.

Airlie particularly enjoyed working with the show's stellar production values, noting the impressive Mission Control set that was built around remnants from Stargate Atlantis. His character's complex relationship with Ron Livingston's Maddux Donner provided some of the series' most compelling dramatic moments, including a scene where Donner punches Goss, which Airlie described as "great to shoot." The role also involved Mike Goss being aware of the mysterious "Beta" presence that was the real guiding force behind the Antares mission, adding layers of secrecy and moral complexity to the character.

From 2015 to 2017, Airlie starred as Wolfgang McGee in the CBC espionage series The Romeo Section, earning a 2016 Leo Award nomination for Best Lead Performance in a Dramatic Series. In the series, he portrayed a professor who teaches about the opium trade while secretly infiltrating it, bringing out his Scottish accent for the role despite normally speaking without one. This marked the third television series collaboration between Airlie and creator Chris Haddock, following their work on Da Vinci's Inquest and Intelligence.

The character of Wolfgang McGee was particularly suited to Airlie's background, as McGee was designed as a play-it-close-to-the-vest operative whose cover was that of an international studies professor. Airlie himself holds an international studies degree from the University of Toronto and had lectured for two years at the university, making him naturally drawn to the intelligence world. As he noted in interviews, "This world has always been attractive and intriguing to me. To the point I also follow it domestically." His academic background informed his portrayal of McGee, a character who had witnessed false flags and dubious government operations throughout his career.

The series tackled contemporary political themes, with Airlie drawing connections between the show's fictional scenarios and real-world intelligence legislation. He particularly referenced Canada's Bill C-51, noting that "when you drill down a little bit on that omnibus bill there is a lot of latitude that was being created for our intelligence agencies. So some of the things that might have been suggested in our show are not a stretch." In the second season, McGee's character arc involved investigating an alleged terrorist incident that opened doors into the shadowy side of intelligence work, requiring him to partner with a morally corrupt, blackballed spy named Norman, played by Brian Markinson. This partnership pushed McGee out of his comfort zone while exploring the darker aspects of intelligence operations that "most Canadians would like to believe that we don't do."

His film career includes a notable role as Carrick Grey, the father of Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan), in the Fifty Shades of Grey film trilogy (2015-2018). The casting process for this role was unique, as director Sam Taylor-Johnson did not require him to audition after their initial meeting. Airlie had to read the first book overnight before their meeting, and Taylor-Johnson simply wanted to get a feel for him personally before suggesting him to the producers. The filming experience was described by Airlie as one of his best, praising Taylor-Johnson's collaborative directing style and clear communication with actors.

The role brought Airlie considerable attention and fan mail, with the franchise's success significantly raising his profile. As he noted in interviews, the films "don't come along often and it's a luxury job" where despite playing a smaller part, he "never felt like a small player." The character of Carrick Grey, as the patriarch of the Grey family, allowed Airlie to work alongside Jamie Dornan and Rita Ora while maintaining the dignity of playing Christian Grey's adoptive father. Fans of E.L. James' book series had originally suggested actors like Pierce Brosnan and Mel Gibson for the role, but Airlie was pleased that casting directors "went down the Scottish route." His portrayal throughout the trilogy required him to project authority and paternal warmth while navigating the film's mature themes, something he accomplished without compromising his professional standards.

In the Seth Rogen film 50/50 (2011), Airlie portrayed an oncologist described as "a brilliant scientist – endlessly fascinated with examining and exploring rare cancers and mutations but entirely devoid of empathic skills." The character was designed as someone with such poor bedside manner that he "shouldn't be allowed direct access to patients, period." Airlie particularly praised director Jonathan Levine as "the most engaging, collaborative director" he had worked with in a long time, noting how the director created a welcoming and supportive environment. The emotional weight of the production was heightened when actual x-rays from screenwriter Will Reiser's cancer treatment were used as props, creating a surreal moment where Airlie found himself holding the very x-rays that had represented a possible death sentence for the writer standing beside him.

His film career also includes work in other notable productions such as The Safety of Objects opposite Glenn Close and Patricia Clarkson, Fantastic Four, and the upcoming thriller Dear Mr. Gacy, a true story from the producer of Monster about an 18-year-old college student's relationship with serial killer John Wayne Gacy. He also appeared in the science fiction thriller Killer Mountain alongside Emmanuelle Vaugier and Aaron Douglas, playing Walter Burton, a wealthy industrialist who sponsors a climbing expedition in Bhutan that goes awry.

Personal Life

Airlie has worked on over 150 television and film projects throughout his extensive career. The actor is frequently cast as doctors or scientists, reflecting his academic background and professional demeanor. As he noted in interviews, he plays the role of doctors "quite regularly," which casting directors recognize as fitting his educated background and authoritative presence.

Currently residing in Vancouver, Airlie is married to Samantha and has two children: daughter Natalie (born circa 2003) and son Callum (born circa 2005), who is also pursuing an acting career. As a father, he has had to navigate the unique challenge of starring in the Fifty Shades franchise while protecting his teenagers from the adult content, noting that when parents approach him at school events, there's often a "double take" when they realize he plays "the dad" in the films. His wife Samantha had read all the E.L. James books before his casting, making her aware of the project's popularity and scope. In addition to his acting career, he is actively involved in writing and producing his own material, collaborating with acclaimed British writer and film director Peter Howitt on suspense/thriller projects and television pilots. Their collaboration began when Howitt directed episodes of The Romeo Section and acted in a few episodes as Airlie's character's nemesis, leading to a friendship and creative partnership. When not working, he enjoys traveling with his family, photography, and is a dedicated fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Glasgow Celtic football club. He also spends his holidays close to home in Vancouver with family and friends, including skating trips with his children.

Among his most cherished projects, Airlie has expressed particular fondness for Defying Gravity, Reaper, and Intelligence from television, and The Safety of Objects, Shattered Glass, and Wasted from film. Despite his success in major productions, Airlie maintains that some of his most rewarding experiences have come from smaller projects, particularly appreciating collaborative directors and supportive working environments.

When asked about his dream dinner guests, Airlie has mentioned he would choose the Dalai Lama, author Milan Kundera (his favorite writer), and his paternal grandfather whom he never had the chance to meet. This choice reflects his thoughtful nature and appreciation for both spiritual wisdom and literary excellence, as well as his connection to family heritage.

References