This Movie Guy: Happy Birthday, Gerard Butler!

Today we're celebrating the birthday of Gerard Butler, who turns 42 today. Butler got his acting start in 1997 when he appeared in the Academy Award-nominated film, Her Majesty, Mrs. Brown. He landed the titular role in Dracula 2000 and made some larger appearances in films like 2003's Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life and as the lead in 2004's The Phantom of the Opera. But it wasn't until 2007 until Butler had his true star-making turn as King Leonidas in the smash-hit film, 300. From there, Butler became a household name, and he's gone on to appear in romance-based films like 2007's P.S. I Love You and 2009's The Ugly Truth. Most recently, he appeared in the 2011 film Machine Gun Preacher, and you'll next be able to see him in 2012's Playing the Field opposite Jessica Biel. So for his birthday, I've created a list of my five favorite performances. I hope you enjoy the videos I've provided (I apologize in advance for the quality one or two of them). Once again, happy birthday, Gerard!