Who are Ian McShane’s family members?

Ian McShane is a British actor and producer, born on September 29, 1942, in Blackburn, Lancashire. He studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, alongside Anthony Hopkins and John Hurt. McShane started his acting career in the early 1960s and has been working in the entertainment industry for more than 60 years. He made his film debut in 1962 with The Wild and the Willing and his TV debut in 1963 with Play of the Week.

McShane rose to fame in the 1980s with the BBC show Lovejoy, in which he played the title role. He is also known for his work in Deadwood (2004–2006), the John Wick film franchise (2014-present), American Gods (2017–2021), etc. Apart from acting, details about his personal life, especially his family, have been in the limelight over the years. Let’s take a look at Ian McShane’s family members.

Ian McShane’s parents

Harry and Irene McShane are Ian McShane’s parents. His father, Harry McShane, was a professional footballer from Scotland who played for many notable clubs, including Manchester United from 1950 to 1954. He was Scottish and was born in Holytown, Lanarkshire. His sporting career made him a respected figure in the UK during the 1940s and 1950s. In an interview with The Guardian, he talked about his father and said, “Dad was definitely significant. It meant something. But it was a different time, you know? We were living in the suburbs in Manchester, in a typical footballer's semi-detached house."

His mother, Irene McShane, was of English and Irish descent and was born in England. In a 2019 interview with GQ, Ian mentioned his mother when he was asked who he would like to apologize to. He said, “My mother, for when I was a stroppy teenager. My mother’s still alive and she’s fantastic. I just spent three days with her. Mum, if I was ever rude to you, forgive me because I love you.” His mother died in 2021 at the age of 100, and his father passed away in 2012.

His parents were supportive of his acting career and never forced him to pick up football. In an interview with The Guardian, he said, “Mum and Dad were both happy for me to do what I wanted. I took them to the premiere of The Wild And The Willing.” He further talked about his parents’ relationship during his father’s final days, when he was suffering from Alzheimer’s. He said, “He still recognised my mother when he was ill. It was amazing. Because it was a love story, you know? They were together for more than 70 years. And he half-recognised me.”

Ian McShane’s wife and children

Ian McShane has been married to American actress Gwen Humble since 1980. Before Gwen Humble, he was married twice. His first marriage was to British actress Suzan Farmer in 1965, though it ended in divorce within a few years. His second marriage was to model Ruth Post in 1968. During this marriage, McShane had two children: a daughter, Kate, and a son, Morgan. Not much is publicly known about his children, but Kate has three children, which makes Ian a grandfather.

In an interview with The Independent, Ian talked about his marriages and said, “My first wife [actress Suzan Farmer] was delightful. She was the queen of the Hammer horror movies, but I never saw her for two years. It was the Sixties... My second marriage was to a girl I met in Manchester, kept a long-distance relationship going for two years, then we got married... disaster."

He further talked about his relationship with his children. He said, “I've had a great relationship with my kids for the past 10 years. We laugh about it now, but there are so many misunderstood areas – people split up, your children have to take sides, and a lot of miscommunication goes on. But I think it's been sorted out now." He shares a close bond with his children and grandchildren. Now, he and his wife, Gwen, live in Venice, California, and they do not have children together.