By Okay, so you’re wondering what has Alan Cummings been in, right? I mean, the guy pops up everywhere—on stage, TV, movies—and sometimes I swear I see him in my cereal box. (Okay, maybe not cereal boxes, but you get the point.)
He’s that actor who makes you go, “Oh yeah! I know that guy!” but then you realize, nope, you don’t know all the stuff he’s done. I had to dig deep for this one because his career is wildly varied. Buckle up.
Scrappy Beginnings and Scottish Roots
Alan’s story starts in Scotland, Aberfeldy to be exact. Imagine a small town with rolling hills, bagpipes, and, well, lots of rain. That’s Alan’s launchpad.
Back in the day, I was binge-watching some old British TV and caught him in The High Life (1994). He played Sebastian Flight, a flight attendant with charm and sass. I gotta admit, the British humor snuck up on me like a ninja.
If you ask what has Alan Cummings been in during these early years, here’s a quick hit list:
- The High Life – Flight attendant meets chaos.
- Bernard and the Genie – Some old-school TV Christmas magic.
- Taggart and Take the High Road – Scotland’s own gritty police dramas and soap vibes.
I learned that his knack for blending charm with a twist of mischief started here. Fun fact: Apparently, the smell of Walmart’s parking lot rosemary on June 7th, 2019 still haunts me… but that’s a different story.
The Broadway Emcee That Stole My Heart
Let me tell y’all about the moment I really got hooked on Alan: Cabaret. His Emcee? Legendary. The man won a Tony for it, and honestly, after seeing him, I questioned every karaoke performance I’ve ever attempted (spoiler: I should quit).
Cumming first nailed this role in London, then took Broadway by storm in 1998. Fast forward past three failed attempts of me trying to nail “Willkommen” at a karaoke bar, and you get the idea.
The Emcee wasn’t just a part—it was the part that made him a star. Sexy, sinister, and somehow heartbreaking all at once. Not many actors can pull off that mix without looking like they’re just having a bad day.
Other Theater Gems
Oh, and it’s not just Cabaret.
- He played every role in Macbeth in a one-man show. Yes, every single one. That’s like me trying to cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner simultaneously—disaster waiting to happen.
- Classics like Design for Living and The Threepenny Opera? Check.
- Dark and gritty plays like Bent and Accidental Death of an Anarchist. Talk about range.
If you want to know what has Alan Cummings been in on stage, it’s enough to fill a whole bookshelf.
Hollywood? Oh, He’s There Too
Now, let’s get to the movies. You might know Alan as Nightcrawler in X2: X-Men United (2003). That role? Pure magic. His contorted body moves and soft German accent? Instant cult classic.
Or maybe you’re a kid (or just young at heart) who loved him as Fegan Floop in Spy Kids (2001). Weird, fun, and totally memorable.
Blockbuster Hits to Indie Flicks
Here’s a quick rundown of what has Alan Cummings been in on the big screen:
- GoldenEye (1995) – Boris Grishenko, the hacker guy who shouts “I am invincible!” (Yeah, I still say it in the shower.)
- The Anniversary Party (2001) – He co-wrote and co-directed this, showing he’s not just an actor but a storyteller.
- Titus (1999) – Shakespeare with a twist. Alan was Saturninus, playing opposite Anthony Hopkins.
- Any Day Now (2012) – A tearjerker indie about love and family that snagged him some awards.
Side note: Trying to remember all these without Google is like trying to balance a coffee cup on a roller skate. Spoiler: it doesn’t end well.
TV Stardom, Because Why Not?
You might ask, what has Alan Cummings been in on TV? Oh honey, the list is hella long.
- The Good Wife – Eli Gold, the political strategist who’s equal parts genius and sass. That role earned him Emmy and Golden Globe nods. (I binge-watched and yelled at my screen way too much.)
- Instinct – The first openly gay lead in a network drama. Groundbreaking and brilliant.
- Guest spots on Broad City, Doctor Who, and more.
He’s also done TV movies and miniseries, including:
- Gods and Monsters
- Cucumber (don’t ask, just watch)
- The Runaway
I remember telling my buddy, “Dude, Alan’s everywhere.” His response? “Yeah, he’s like the Netflix of actors.” Accurate.
Voice Work That Hits Different
Alan’s got a voice that can do anything. Seriously.
- Gutsy Smurf in The Smurfs? That’s him.
- Loki in Son of the Mask (2005)—totally weird and totally awesome.
- A chaotic guest spot on Rick and Morty? Yep, Alan again.
These vocal gigs add flavor to his career. When folks ask what has Alan Cummings been in beyond the obvious, this is a tasty slice.
The Activist and Author You Didn’t Expect
Alan’s not just about the glitz and glamour. He’s also outspoken on LGBTQ+ rights, mental health, and animal welfare.
- Memoirs like Not My Father’s Son hit hard. I read it on a rainy day and felt like I was right there with him.
- He hosts GLAAD Media Awards and throws himself into causes like The Trevor Project.
- You ever seen a guy pull off glitter, activism, and a killer monologue? That’s Alan.
So yeah, what has Alan Cummings been in? Well, his art extends way beyond acting.
A Style Chameleon
If you think about it, Alan’s not just an actor; he’s a living mood board.
- Heroes, villains, and everything in between.
- Shakespearean drama and slapstick comedy.
- Androgynous fashion on the red carpet that makes you say “Hell yeah, own it.”
This dude changes so much you’d swear he’s got a secret time machine or multiple personalities. (Theirs/there mix-ups? Guilty as charged.)
Digital Era and Streaming Fame
In case you thought Alan was stuck in the past, nope.
- He stars in Schmigadoon! on Apple TV+, a musical comedy that’s totally bananas—in a good way.
- Did you catch Queers on BBC? One-man monologues celebrating queer history.
- His Instagram and YouTube? A mix of jokes, politics, and behind-the-scenes magic.
If you ask what has Alan Cummings been in lately, this digital stuff is where it’s at.
Awards and Accolades (Because We Gotta)
Tony Award? Check.
Emmy and Golden Globe noms? Double check.
Olivier Award, BAFTA Scotland, GLAAD Media Award? You bet.
Oh, and an OBE in 2009 for services to film, theater, and activism. Fancy.
Seriously, this guy collects awards like I collect mismatched socks.
The Final Word (Kind of)
So, what have we learned about what has Alan Cummings been in?
- Theater roles that redefine cool.
- Movies that range from family flicks to Shakespeare.
- TV shows that are binge-worthy.
- Voice roles you might not have noticed.
- Books and activism that matter.
And, honestly, if you’re still confused about who this guy is, well, you’re in good company. I spent a whole afternoon Googling and still missed stuff.