 A native of the town of Larkhall in South Lanarkshire, Butler was born into a well-educated family, with his parents working as teachers.At the age of 18, as World War II came to an end, he enrolled at the University of St Andrews, but ultimately abandoned his studies before attaining a degree, upon becoming interested in acting with the university drama society.He subsequently trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and began his performing career in West End revues.