Andrew Scott was born on October 21, 1976, in Dublin, Ireland, to parents Jim and Nora Scott. He grew up in Churchtown, a southern suburb of Dublin, with his two sisters, Sarah and Hannah12. Scott's mother was an art teacher, while his father worked as a manager at an employment agency1.

From a young age, Scott showed an interest in acting. He attended Gonzaga College, a private Roman Catholic school for boys, where he struggled with socializing due to a slight lisp1. However, he found his passion in acting classes and youth theater programs1. At the age of 17, Scott made his film debut in the Irish drama "Korea" (1995)13. Despite winning a bursary to art school, he chose to pursue drama at Trinity College Dublin, though he left after six months to join Dublin's Abbey Theatre2. This early dedication to his craft laid the foundation for his successful acting career.

Andrew Scott's career reached new heights with his portrayal of Jim Moriarty in the BBC series "Sherlock" (2010-2017). His mesmerizing and menacing performance as Sherlock Holmes' arch-nemesis catapulted him to stardom, earning him the BAFTA Television Award for Best Supporting Actor12. Scott's interpretation of Moriarty as a witty, mercurial psychopath with sudden bursts of fury captivated audiences and critics alike3.

The role transformed Scott's profile, leading to numerous leading roles and increased recognition in the industry. Scott himself acknowledged the impact, stating, "Sherlock has changed all our careers, and I'm really pleased about that. It gives you the benefit of the doubt because executives like to see recognizable faces."12 The popularity of his character also resulted in a passionate fan following, with Scott receiving fan mail and artwork from viewers worldwide1.

Andrew Scott is known for keeping his personal life private, but he has been open about his sexuality since coming out publicly in 201312. He stated, "Mercifully, these days people don't see being gay as a character flaw. But nor is it a virtue, like kindness. Or a talent, like playing the banjo. It's just a fact."2

Scott was reportedly in a long-term relationship with writer Stephen Beresford for about 15 years, though they are believed to have split in 201934. He has spoken about the importance of relationships and personal growth, saying, "You learn from people. It's not about the length of time you spend with somebody."5 Currently, Scott appears to be single or keeping any romantic relationships out of the public eye5. Outside of his acting career, he has worked with charities like IdeasTap, mentoring young actors until the organization's closure in 20152.