Women whose hearts he broke called him the devil incarnate, unable to resist his charm. In 2005, the American magazine “People” named him the “sexiest TV villain,” and judging by Ian McShane’s filmography, it’s clear that roles as scoundrels and villains suit him best.

Though McShane debuted in film back in 1962 at the age of 20 and gained fame in his native Britain over the years, it wasn’t until much later that Hollywood began to take notice. Ian dedicated much of his time and talent to the theater, performing extensively on Broadway and earning numerous prestigious theatrical awards.

He also had a reputation as a true heartbreaker. He married for the first time at 23, tying the knot with actress Suzanne Farmer, whom he met on the set of “The Wild and the Willing.” However, the marriage was short-lived, and the couple divorced after three years.

A few years later, he married Ruth Post, who gave birth to their daughter Kate and son Morgan. But even children couldn’t save the marriage, and they separated after six years.

It’s said that the reason for their breakup was Ian’s passionate affair with the seductive Sylvia Kristel, star of erotic films and famously known as “Emmanuelle.” Their meeting on the set of “The Fifth Musketeer” was fateful, as both were swept away by passion, and their romance was akin to a volcano. Sylvia fondly recalled her relationship with McShane.

However, Ian couldn’t stay faithful to one woman for long and soon left Sylvia as well. He plunged into a life of excess—wild living, numerous lovers, and alcohol. This lifestyle began to take a toll on his career, and directors became hesitant to cast him.

The 2000s marked the peak of his creative potential as a global star. He brilliantly portrayed saloon owner Al Swearengen in the series “Deadwood,” earning a Golden Globe for the role. He also played Blackbeard in “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” Amphiaraus in “Hercules,” Winston in the action film “John Wick,” and Mr. Wednesday in the series “American Gods.”