This Is Your Life: Tom Courtenay

Tom COURTENAY (1937-)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Tom Courtenay, actor, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews - with the help of members of Hull City FC - as he arrived at offices in Brook Street, London, having been led to believe he was there for a meeting.

Tom, who was born in Kingston-upon-Hull, studied English at University College London but, having failed his degree, went on to study drama at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He made his professional stage debut with the Old Vic theatre company in 1960 before playing the title role of Billy Liar in the West End in 1961, a role he repeated for the 1963 film version.

Tom later achieved stardom in a series of acclaimed film roles, including The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner in 1962, for which he received a BAFTA award, and Doctor Zhivago in 1965, for which he received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination. However, his preference for stage work saw him begin a long association with Manchester theatres in 1968 when he played in The Playboy of the Western World for the Century Theatre at Manchester University.

"Well, what can I say? What a con man!"

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