Biography for
Martin Compston More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

8 May 1984, Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland, UK

Nickname

Martino

Height

5' 8" (1.73 m)

Mini Biography

Martin Compston grew up in Greenock, Inverclyde, Renfrewshire. He spent his teen years going to see soccer (football) team Celtic with his brother Barry and dreamed one day he would play for them. He attended St. Columba's High School in Gourock, Inverclyde, where he passed through his Standard Grade Exams and obtained three As and two Bs in his Higher results. He left school after his fifth year to pursue his dream as a footballer and was soon signed by Morton Football Team.

In 2000, director Ken Loach discovered him at an audition at his old high school and gave him the lead role in Sweet Sixteen (2002/I). The movie was filmed in Martin's home area, including Greenock, Gourock, Inverkip, Kilmalcolm, and Wemyss Bay. The film was a huge success, which shot Martin into full view of the public and even gave some fame to Inverclyde. However, many counselors thought that this was bad publicity because the film has to do with drugs and underage drinking. However, Ken Loach then made a statement that the movie was not based on Greenock and Inverclyde - but was only filmed there, as that was where Martin was located.

Compston reunited with Loach for the omnibus film Tickets (2005)

IMDb Mini Biography By: Inverclyde

Trivia

At 17, Martin was playing Division II soccer (football) in a Scottish high school and had never acted until being discovered by director Ken Loach, who cast him as the lead in Sweet Sixteen (2002/I).

Played professional football (soccer) for Greenock Morton in Scotland.

Sweet Sixteen (2002/I) was his first film and was critically acclaimed at the 2002 Cannes Festival in France.

Attended St. Columba's High School Gourock, Inverclyde (a part of Renfrewshire).

Left school at the end of his fifth year in High School to be signed by Greenock Morton Football Club.

Obtained As and Bs in his exam results in school.

Fought with the local council to have Sweet Sixteen (2002/I) reduced to a certificate 15 in his area for the teenagers to learn from Liam's mistakes. The battle was successful.

His favourite actress is Sharon Stone.

Personal Quotes

I've two huge German shepherds who are my boys. They're called Biscuit and Buster and I love them to bits. They're two years old. - Interview with the BBC, 17 October 2004.

Where Are They Now

(May 2002) Lives on the west coast of Scotland.