David Duchovny is one of the most recognisable actors in the business.
And millions of viewers across the world will tune in again when “The X Files” starts a new series next weekend, 14 years after the last TV outing for agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully.
But did you know that Duchovny considers himself half-Scottish? Or that his mother hails from the north east?
It’s a testimony to the many branches in the 55-year-old’s family tree.
His father was a New Yorker called Amram Duchovny, who worked as a publicist for the American Jewish Committee.
But Duchovny’s mother, Meg (nee Miller) was a Lutheran schoolteacher, who originally hailed from a small town near Aberdeen.
Indeed, the star of the famous science-fiction show has joked about his background, saying his roots gave him a keen Protestant work ethic, as well as plenty of Jewish guilt, and a “careful” approach to money.
As he remarked: I’m half Scottish and half Jewish: it’s hard for me to buy anything!”
In the early days, growing up in Manhattan, he had a cosmopolitan and varied childhood and was at home in a fast-developing world.
But he also enjoyed several trips back to Scotland and celebrated his 10th birthday on Erraid, a small island off the west coast.
After his parents divorced, Meg found a position at Grace Church School, where she taught for many years. Yet she had a pessimistic view on life and, according to Duchovny, was constantly reminding him that “poverty was just a small step away”.
The message hasn’t been lost on her son, who has flung himself into myriad films and TV series and will be in action again with Gillian Anderson when the eagerly-awaited new batch of X Files are screened.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1SmJUBT5q0