Tom Courtenay
Actor · Since 1962
Known for
Emerging from the working class of Hull, Tom Courtenay became one of the emblematic faces of the new British cinema of the sixties thanks to 'The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner' and 'Billy Liar'. His fragile presence and his inner intensity led him to memorable roles in 'Doctor Zhivago' and, years later, in 'The Dresser', which brought him an Academy Award nomination. Although from the mid-sixties he steered much of his career toward the theater, he never entirely abandoned the screen, returning in force in titles such as '45 Years'. Knighted for his four decades of service to film and theater, he embodies the sensibility and sobriety of the finest British realism.
Tom Courtenay
Actor · Since 1962
41 Movies · 7 Series
Emerging from the working class of Hull, Tom Courtenay became one of the emblematic faces of the new British cinema of the sixties thanks to 'The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner' and 'Billy Liar'. His fragile presence and his inner intensity led him to memorable roles in 'Doctor Zhivago' and, years later, in 'The Dresser', which brought him an Academy Award nomination. Although from the mid-sixties he steered much of his career toward the theater, he never entirely abandoned the screen, returning in force in titles such as '45 Years'. Knighted for his four decades of service to film and theater, he embodies the sensibility and sobriety of the finest British realism.
Movies
Plays Farder Coram
The Golden Compass
2007
Plays Arthur Glaisher
The Aeronauts
2019
Plays The Duke of Edinburgh (voice)
The Queen's Corgi
2019
Plays Pasha Antipov / Strelnikov
Doctor Zhivago
1965
Plays Kenny Collins
King of Thieves
2018
Plays Geoff Mercer
45 Years
2015
Plays Leonard Morrison
Flood
2007
Plays The Major
Gambit
2012
Plays Eben Ramsey
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society
2018
Plays Martin
Queen at Sea
2026
Plays Newman Noggs
Nicholas Nickleby
2002
Plays Mr. Sullivan
Summerland
2020
Plays Corporal Hartmann
The Night of the Generals
1967
Plays Lance Corporal Jones
Dad's Army
2016
Plays Older João Eca
Night Train to Lisbon
2013
Plays Reginald Paget
Quartet
2012
Plays Chief Superintendent McManaman
The Legend of Barney Thomson
2015
Plays Robert Henshaw
Operation Crossbow
1965
Plays Uncle Walter
The Railway Children Return
2022
Plays Grey
King Rat
1965
Plays Vic
Last Orders
2001
Plays Antoine Moreau
The Last Butterfly
1991
Plays Gatiss
A Dandy in Aspic
1968
Plays William Bentley
Let Him Have It
1991
Plays Colin Smith
The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner
1962
Plays Baxter Clarke
Catch Me a Spy
1971
Plays William Terrence 'Billy' Fisher
Billy Liar
1963
Plays Frayn
Leonard Part 6
1987
Plays Norman
The Dresser
1983
Plays Dave Best Sr.
The Royle Family: The New Sofa
2008
Plays Gerald Arthur Otley
Otley
1969
Plays Harold Smith
Whatever Happened to Harold Smith?
2000
Plays Pvt. Arthur Hamp
King and Country
1964
Plays The Navigator
The Day the Fish Came Out
1967
Plays Edward Saunders
Happy New Year
1987
Plays Pvt. Potter
Private Potter
1962
Plays Ivan Denisovich
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
1970
Plays Kenneth (voice)
Famous Fred
1996
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
Queen at Sea
Full Filmography 48
Queen at Sea
Martin
2026
The Railway Children Return
Uncle Walter
2022
Mandy
Engineer Woodcock
2022Season 2
The North Water
Baxter · 1 episode
2021–
Summerland
Mr. Sullivan
2020
The Aeronauts
Arthur Glaisher
2019
The Queen's Corgi
The Duke of Edinburgh (voice)
2019
King of Thieves
Kenny Collins
2018
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society
Eben Ramsey
2018
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Tom Courtenay and where are they from?
Tom Courtenay is 89 years old, born on February 25, 1937 in Kingston-Upon-Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England, UK.
What are the most famous roles of Tom Courtenay?
Tom Courtenay is best known for roles in The Golden Compass, The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society, Doctor Zhivago.
How many movies has Tom Courtenay been in?
Over a 64-year career (since 1962), Tom Courtenay has appeared in 41 movies and 7 TV shows.
What was Tom Courtenay's first movie?
The career of Tom Courtenay began with Private Potter (1962).
What is Tom Courtenay's most recent movie or series?
Tom Courtenay's most recent release is Queen at Sea, which premiered on September 18, 2026.
What TV shows has Tom Courtenay appeared in?
On television, Tom Courtenay has appeared in Unforgotten, The North Water, Little Dorrit, Mandy.
Tom Courtenay
1937-02-25 · Kingston-Upon-Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England, UK
Sir Thomas Daniel Courtenay (born 25 February 1937) is an English actor. A notable figure of the British New Wave, he has received numerous accolades, including three BAFTAs, a Golden Globe, two Silver Bears, and a Volpi Cup, in addition to nominations for two Academy Awards, two Tony Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award. He was knighted for his services to cinema and theatre in the 2001 New Year Honours. He came to prominence in the early 1960s with a succession of films including The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962), Billy Liar (1963), and Dr. Zhivago (1965). Since the mid-1960s he has been known primarily for his work in the theatre.Tom Courtenay, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.