Thomas Stewart Baker (born 20 January 1934) is an English actor and
writer. He is well known for his portrayal of the fourth incarnation
of the Doctor in the science fiction television series Doctor Who from
1974 to 1981, a longer tenure than any other actor in the title role,
and provided narration in the television comedy series Little Britain.
His voice, which has been described as "sonorous", was voted the
fourth-most recognisable in the UK in 2006.At age 15, Baker began
study as a religious brother. He gradually lost his vocation, leaving
religious life at age 21 to undertake national service in the Royal
Army Medical Corps. Upon leaving the army, he served in the Merchant
Navy and then became an actor, joining the Royal National Theatre
under Laurence Olivier. He was in his thirties when his professional
acting career began, and his first major film role was as Grigori
Rasputin in Nicholas and Alexandra in 1971, when he was 37. He went on
to play the villainous Prince Koura in The Golden Voyage of Sinbad in
1973, which led to his casting in Doctor Who.During his period as the
star of Doctor Who, the series received high viewing figures and
featured many stories which became regarded as classics. He remains
one of the most instantly recognisable incarnations of the character.
He continued to feature in regular television roles later in his
career, including in the series Medics and Monarch of the Glen. He has
also narrated commercials, video games, audiobooks, radio plays, music
albums, and television series.
writer. He is well known for his portrayal of the fourth incarnation
of the Doctor in the science fiction television series Doctor Who from
1974 to 1981, a longer tenure than any other actor in the title role,
and provided narration in the television comedy series Little Britain.
His voice, which has been described as "sonorous", was voted the
fourth-most recognisable in the UK in 2006.At age 15, Baker began
study as a religious brother. He gradually lost his vocation, leaving
religious life at age 21 to undertake national service in the Royal
Army Medical Corps. Upon leaving the army, he served in the Merchant
Navy and then became an actor, joining the Royal National Theatre
under Laurence Olivier. He was in his thirties when his professional
acting career began, and his first major film role was as Grigori
Rasputin in Nicholas and Alexandra in 1971, when he was 37. He went on
to play the villainous Prince Koura in The Golden Voyage of Sinbad in
1973, which led to his casting in Doctor Who.During his period as the
star of Doctor Who, the series received high viewing figures and
featured many stories which became regarded as classics. He remains
one of the most instantly recognisable incarnations of the character.
He continued to feature in regular television roles later in his
career, including in the series Medics and Monarch of the Glen. He has
also narrated commercials, video games, audiobooks, radio plays, music
albums, and television series.
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