Born in South Africa where he father, an engineer, worked in the copper mine industry, Stuart and his family eventually relocated to England, where he experienced his first taste of acting at the prestigious Royal Court Theater. Mr. Wilson has also performed with The Royal Shakespeare Company, the Liverpool Repertory and the Cambridge Repertory Company. Most notable amongst his stage credits include "The Three Sisters" (starring Vanessa, Lynn and Gemma Redgrave), "Awake and Sing", and of course a turn at Shakespeare - "Richard II," and "Henry IV".
In the 90's, as his roles grew larger, Mr. Wilson turned from heartthrob to villain, a change that suddenly brought him greater attention in Hollywood. His best roles include the films "Lethal Weapon 3" (matching him up against Mel Gibson), "No Escape" (a role he claims caused a stir among his adoring female fans who found his dreadlock barbarian, Marek, sexy) and my personal favorite, "The Mask of Zorro" (the director, Martin Campbell, who also directed No Escape, personally selected Mr. Wilson to play the role of Rafael Montero due to his talent at turning one-dimensional villains into multi-faceted characters with a soul). Campbell was quoted as saying, "Stuart is absolutely terrific in this film. The key to his character is never making him just black and white, not just a dark, dastardly villain. Stuart brings a real humanity and compassion-albeit warped-to the story. I truly hope this role gets him the recognition he deserves." I totally agree.
Mr. Wilson has acted beside bigger stars like Sigourney Weaver and Ben Kingsley in the dark and brilliant "Death And The Maiden", a role he recently referred to as his "least favorite" in an interview that can be found on Reel.Com.. Personally, besides his role as the dishonored knight, De Bracy, in the 1982 TV version of "Ivanhoe", in which he acted alongside the well-known actor Sam Neill, the sensitivity Stuart brought to the role of Signourney Weaver's guilt-ridden husband was what finally captured my full appreciation of acting abilities. If you have not seen "Death And The Maiden", but have seen Sam Neill's "Dead Calm", you'll find an interesting parallel in these films in that both depict only 3 characters and rely totally on solid, thoughtful plots that keep you riveted until their respective surprise endings.
Mr. Wilson is married and has three children. He currently lives in England.
FILMOGRAPHY as Actor and Notable TV guest appearances:
1. Fascination (2002)...Oliver Vance a/k/a Heart of Stone
2. Dinotopia (TV)(2002/II mini series)...Frank Scott.
3. Princess of Thieves (TV)(2001) - Robin O'Locksley
4. The Luzhin Defense (2000)...Valentinov
5. Slow Burn (2000)...Frank
6. Enemy of the State (1998)...plays Congressman Albert
7. Mask of Zorro, The (1998)...Don Rafael Montero
8. Crossworlds (1996)...Ferris
9. Edie & Pen (1996)...Victor
10. Rock, The (1996)(uncredited)...General Kramer
11. Prime Suspect 4: Scent of Darkness (1995)( BBC TV series)...Dr. Patrick Scholfield8. Prime Suspect 4: The Lost Child (1995)(BBC TV series)...Dr. Patrick Scholfield
12. No Escape (1994)...Marek...aka Escape from Absolom
13. Death and the Maiden (1994) ... Gerardo Escobar...aka Jeune fille et la mort, La (1995) (France)
14. Exit to Eden (1994) .... Omar Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993) .... Walker
15. Age of Innocence, The (1993) .... Julius Beaufort
16. T o Be the Best (1992) (TV) .... Jack Miller
17. Lethal Weapon 3 (1992) .... Jack Travis
18. Lethal Charm (1991) (TV) .... Peter Chambers ... aka Her Wicked Ways (1991)
19. Coins in the Fountain (1990) (TV).... Marcello
20. Voice of the Heart (1990) (TV) .... Mike Lazarus
21. Secret Weapon (1990) (TV) .... Peter Hounam
22. Nonni und Manni (1988)(Tv series).... Magnus Hansson
23. London Embassy (1987) (TV mini series) .... Kirilov
24. Way Upstream (1987) (TV) .... Vince
25. Return of Sherlock Holmes, The (1986)(TV series) .. Rt. Honorable Trelawney Hope
26. Wallenberg: A Hero's Story (1985) (TV) ....Count ?
27. Romance on the Orient Express (1985) (TV) .... Alex Woodward Wetherby (1985) .... Mike Langdon
28. Jewel in the Crown, The (1984) (TV mini series).... Jimmy Clarke
29. Old Men at the Zoo, The (1983) (TV mini series) ....Carter
30. Ivanhoe (1982) (TV) .... De Bracy
31. Highest Honor (1982) .... Lieutenant General Ivan Lyon
32. Prisoner of Zenda, The (1979) .... Rupert of Hentzau
33. Running Blind (1978) .... Alan Stewart
34. Anna Karenina (1977) (TV mini series) .... Vronsky
35. Moths (1977) (TV) .... Jack
36. I, Claudius (1976) (TV mini series) .... Silius
37. Double Kill, The (1975) (UK TV series) ... aka Thriller: The Double Kill (1975)
38. Madame Bovary (1975) (TV mini series)....romantic lead
39. Pallisers, The (1974)(TV mini series)....Ferdinand Lopes
40. Strauss Family, The (1972) (TV mini series) .... Johann Strauss, Jr.
41. Dulcima (1971) .... Forest Warden
Notable TV guest appearances
42. Second Sight (1999)( BBC series)...playing twins Adam Bendrix/Jack Kenworthy
43. Worlds Beyond (1986) in episode: "Captain Randolph"
44. Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1983) playing Lt. Volkenauer in episode: "Our Man In Tagernsee" (episode # 2.7) 11/19/1984
45. Professionals, The (1977) playing Van Neikerk in episode: "Slush Fund" (episode # 4.9)
46. Sweeney, The (1975) playing Jimmy Knox in episode: "Latin Lady" (episode # 4.12)
47. Space: 1999 (1975) playing Vindrus in episode: "Matter of Balance, A"
48. Sweeney, The (1975) playing "Insp. Knowles" in episode: "Abduction" (episode # 1.13)
49. Jason King (1971) playing "Marke" in episode: "Zenia" (episode # 1.24)
