Gerard Butler was born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, the youngest of three children of Margaret and Edward Butler. Gerard Butler was brought up in a strict Roman Catholic family and spent the first few years of his life in Montreal, Canada, before returning to live in Scotland. His family originates from all around the Republic of Ireland. Gerard Butler received a Certificate of Bravery from the Royal Humane Society for rescuing a drowning girl named Ghita when filming a movie in 1997. Before aspiring an actor's career, Gerard Butler studied law at the University of Glasgow, he became the president of the Law Society. Then Gerard Butler took time off to go to California.