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Ian David McShane (born 29 September 1942) is an English actor, director, producer, voice artist and comedian. Despite appearing in numerous films, McShane is best known for his television roles, particularly the BBC's Lovejoy (1986–94) and HBO's Western drama Deadwood (2004–06). McShane starred as King Silas Benjamin in NBC series Kings, Tai Lung in Kung Fu Panda, and as Blackbeard in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. McShane was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, on September 29, 1942, the son of Irene (née Cowley) and famous Scottish-born footballer Harry McShane. He grew up... MORE

Ian David McShane (born 29 September 1942) is an English actor, director, producer, voice artist and comedian. Despite appearing in numerous films, McShane is best known for his television roles, particularly the BBC's Lovejoy (1986–94) and HBO's Western drama Deadwood (2004–06). McShane starred as King Silas Benjamin in NBC series Kings, Tai Lung in Kung Fu Panda, and as Blackbeard in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. McShane was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, on September 29, 1942, the son of Irene (née Cowley) and famous Scottish-born footballer Harry McShane. He grew up in Urmston, Lancashire, and attended Stretford Grammar School. In the United Kingdom, McShane's best known role may be that of antiques dealer Lovejoy in the BBC drama series of the same name. He also enjoyed fame in the United States as English cad Don Lockwood in the soap opera Dallas and as an English cockfighting aficionado in the mini-series Roots. Even before Lovejoy, McShane was a pin-up as a result of appearances in television series such as Wuthering Heights (1967, as Heathcliff), If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium (1969 as Charlie), Jesus of Nazareth (1977, as Judas Iscariot), and LESS