Ewan McGregor, who was made an OBE in the New Year's honours, shot to international fame in 1996 with his role as heroin addict Renton in cult hit 'Trainspotting'.
The film, a gritty portrayal of addiction in Edinburgh, reunited him with filmmaker Danny Boyle after the pair had worked together on the thriller 'Shallow Grave'.
Ewan McGregor is 'delighted and touched' to be included in the New Years Honours List
The star, who grew up in the Scottish town of Crieff, teamed up again with Boyle for 1997's 'A Life Less Ordinary'.
Two years later his star status was confirmed when he played the young Obi-Wan Kenobi in the 'Star Wars' prequel 'The Phantom Menace'.
His reprise of the role made famous in the original by Sir Alec Guinness saw him follow in family tradition - his uncle Denis Lawson had a minor role in the original films.
The film career, which has included hits like 'Brassed Off', 'Moulin Rouge' and 'Little Voice', has occasionally had to take a back seat to McGregor's love of motorbikes.
Several of his marathon motorbike trips, often with friend Charley Boorman, have featured in BBC documentaries and books and raised funds for charities including Unicef.
McGregor and his French-born wife have four children and live in Los Angeles.
The actor said: "I am delighted and touched to be on the New Year's Honours list."