1984年出生在苏格兰港口城市格里诺克，马丁·康普斯顿是在相当偶然的机会下才与表演结缘，原先毕业后他加入了当地历史悠久的摩顿足球俱乐部，打算成为一位职业的运动员，只不过在表演事业渐有起色后决定放弃了运动生涯。
Peter Capaldi was born in Glasgow, Scotland, to Nancy (Soutar) and Gerald John Capaldi. His parents owned an ice cream business. He is of Italian (from his paternal grandfather), Scottish, and Irish descent. Capaldi attended drama classes and was accepted into the Glasgow School of Art. After graduating he secured his breakthrough role in Local Hero (1983). Prior to becoming an actor he also worked as a graphic designer for BBC Scotland TV.
