The charming actor behind the 2007 romantic drama P.S. I Love You is Scottish-born Gerard Butler. He played Gerry Kennedy, the charismatic, quick-witted husband who leaves behind a series of posthumous letters to guide his grieving wife, Holly (played by Hilary Swank), through life after his death. While Butler is now widely recognized for tough-guy action roles in films like 300 and Olympus Has Fallen, his turn as the rough-around-the-edges yet deeply devoted Irish-accented spouse remains a defining anchor of his career.
Understanding how Butler landed the role, transformed his career path, and navigated the aftermath of a major romantic hit requires looking past surface-level trivia.
From Edinburgh Law Offices to the Silver Screen
Before stepping onto film sets, Butler didn't follow a traditional path toward Hollywood. Born in Paisley, Scotland, in 1969, he moved to Montreal as a child before returning to Scotland. He studied law at the University of Glasgow, where he served as president of the law student society.
He pursued a legal career and worked as a trainee solicitor at an Edinburgh law firm. However, his heart wasn't in corporate law. Struggling with personal discipline and a penchant for nightlife, he was let go from his firm just a week before qualifying. At age twenty-five, he packed his bags for London to pursue acting.
Early breaks included stage work in Trainspotting and small film roles, such as Mrs. Brown (1997) and James Bond flick Tomorrow Never Dies (1997). He later gained global attention singing and brooding in Joel Schumacher's film adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera (2004), which directly paved the way for his casting in P.S. I Love You.
Landing Gerry Kennedy in P.S. I Love You
Director Richard LaGravenese adapted P.S. I Love You from Cecelia Ahern’s 2004 best-selling novel. Finding the right actor to play Gerry was crucial. Gerry needed to be magnetic, flawed, deeply romantic, and believable as a man who could command emotional control from beyond the grave.
Butler brought a raw, unpretentious energy to the character. His chemistry with Hilary Swank grounded the melodramatic premise in authentic emotional weight.
- The Accent Challenge: Butler had to master an authentic Irish accent on short notice, spending weeks working with dialogue coaches.
- Physical Transformation: Unlike his polished action-hero looks later on, Gerry sported a rugged, lived-in aesthetic complete with cardigans, unstyled hair, and a natural charm.
- Improvisation on Set: Several emotional exchanges between Butler and Swank incorporated ad-libbed dialogue, particularly during flashbacks of their apartment arguments.
The Turning Point: Romantic Lead vs. Action Star
P.S. I Love You hit theaters in December 2007 and grossed over $157 million worldwide. While reviews from critics were mixed, audiences connected strongly with Butler’s performance.
For a brief window, Hollywood viewed him as a premier romantic lead. He followed up with romantic comedies like The Ugly Truth (2009) alongside Katherine Heigl and The Bounty Hunter (2010) with Jennifer Aniston.
However, the massive commercial success of Zack Snyder’s 300 in 2006—where he played King Leonidas—permanently altered his trajectory. Action studios realized audiences wanted to see him wield swords and firearms. Consequently, Butler pivoted hard into action cinema, starring in franchises like Has Fallen and films like Greenland and Plane. Today, his work as Gerry stands as a rare, beloved detour into pure emotional vulnerability.
Common Misconceptions About the Film and Actor
Viewers often carry a few factual mix-ups regarding Butler's involvement in the movie and his background.
- Was he actually Irish? No, Butler is Scottish. Many fans mistakenly assume he grew up in Ireland due to his convincing accent and ease with the cultural backdrop of the County Wicklow scenes.
- Did he sing in the movie? Yes. One of the film's most memorable moments features Gerry singing a song to Holly on a pub stage in Ireland. Butler performed the vocals himself, drawing on his musical background from The Phantom of the Opera.
- Is there a sequel? While author Cecelia Ahern published a sequel novel titled Postscript in 2019, and Swank expressed interest in a cinematic adaptation, a direct film sequel featuring Butler's character has not materialized due to Gerry's storyline concluding in the original text.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old was Gerard Butler when he filmed P.S. I Love You?
Butler was born in November 1969, meaning he was approximately thirty-seven years old during principal photography in late 2006 and early 2007.
Where was the Irish countryside scenes filmed?
While the story is set partly in Manhattan, the rural flashbacks and cottage sequences were filmed on location in County Wicklow, Ireland. The pub music scenes were shot inside Whelan's, a well-known venue in Dublin.
Did Gerard Butler read the book before taking the role?
Yes, Butler read Cecelia Ahern's novel after receiving the script. He noted in interviews that he appreciated how the adaptation balanced heavy grief with warmth, humor, and optimism.
What are some other romantic movies starring Gerard Butler?
Aside from P.S. I Love You, viewers looking for his romantic lead performances can watch The Ugly Truth (2009), Playing for Keeps (2012), and Machine Gun Preacher (2011), though the latter leans heavily into biographical drama.
