Ian Mercer

Ian Cameron Mercer (born 10 July 1961) is an English actor. He is known for playing Gary Mallett in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street from 1995 to 2000, having previously appeared in 1987 as Pete Jackson. His other television credits include Brookside (1982–83), Cracker, and The Street (2007).

Early life Mercer was born in Oldham, Lancashire. On leaving school, Mercer trained as an electrical engineer but decided to become an actor when he became an assistant stage manager at the Oldham Coliseum Theatre in 1979.

Career His first television appearance was as Mile in Starting Out (1982), a series made by ATV for schools and written by Grazyna Monvid.

Mercer went on to work in such stage productions as Bent, Spend Spend Spend, Saturday Night, Sunday Morning, Billy Liar, Stop The Children's Laughter, Welcome Home, Romeo and Juliet, The Fancy Man, The York Realist, Beauty and the Beast and Revengers Tragedy.

His television and film acting credits include leading roles as a butcher in Blue Money (1985), Coronation Street (as Gary Mallett and in 1987, Pete Jackson), Shackleton (with Kenneth Branagh), Heartbeat, The Monocled Mutineer, A Touch of Frost, Cracker, Common As Muck, Peak Practice, New Tricks and Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (with Russell Crowe).

Personal life In 2007, Mercer completed three years of study at Northumbria University, gaining a degree in English and Art History.

In May 2011, he was convicted of benefit fraud, having falsely claimed £2,300 in council tax benefit despite being in work at the time. He was fined £165 with a £15 victim surcharge and £100 costs.

He lives in Northumberland with his two daughters, Scarlett Rae (b. 1997) and Carmine Mae (b. 2000).

Filmography Film Year Title Role Director Notes 1990 Alex John Beeban Kidron Short film 2002 Re-inventing Eddie Dougie Jim Doyle 2003 Master and Commander:The Far Side of the World Mr. Hollar, Boatswain Peter Weir 2005 Lassie Yorkshire Policeman Charles Sturridge 2009 The Boat That Rocked Transfer Boatman Richard Curtis Creation Goodman Jon Amiel 2010 Poor Wee Me Mike Simon Powell Gold Top Terry Satvinder Johal Short film 2011 Pirates of the Caribbean:On Stranger Tides Quartermaster(Thomas Miller) Rob Marshall 2016 The Legend of Tarzan Freckled Force Publique David Yates 2018 Peterloo Dr. Joseph Healey Mike Leigh 2022 The Sea Beast Old Nick (voice) Chris Williams Netflix film

Television Peters1 episode (1986) 1 episode (1990) 1986 The Monocled Mutineer Wheelchair1 episode 1987 Coronation Street Pete Jackson 13 episodes 1991 The Bill D.S. Dave Lindsay 1 episode 1993 Cracker D.C./D.S. George Giggs4 episodes 1994 Screen Two Local Reporter Probation Officer 1 episode (March)

Theatre credits

Year Title Role Venue(s) 2001–2002 The York Realist ArthurThe Lowry (15–17 November 2001)Theatre Royal, Bristol (20–24 November 2001)Royal Court Theatre (6 January-9 February 2002)Strand Theatre (8 March-20 April 2002) 2019 Calendar Girls Rod Theatre Royal, Norwich (15 February)