Timothy Dalton Bio
Timothy Leonard Dalton Leggett (born 21 March 1946) is a British actor. He gained international prominence as the fourth actor to portray fictional secret agent James Bond in the Eon Productions film series, starring in The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill. Dalton began his career on stage and made his film debut in the historical drama The Lion in Winter. He has had a diverse career in film and television, including notable roles in period dramas and series such as Penny Dreadful and Doom Patrol.
Early Life and Background
Timothy Leonard Dalton Leggett was born on 21 March 1946 in Colwyn Bay, Wales, to an English father, Peter Dalton Leggett, who was a captain in the Special Operations Executive (SOE) during the Second World War and was an advertising executive at the time of his son’s birth; and an American mother, Dorothy Scholes, of Italian and Irish descent. Before Dalton’s fourth birthday, the family moved back to England to Belper in Derbyshire, where he attended Herbert Strutt Grammar School. As a teenager, he was a member of the Air Training Corps at LXX (Croft & Culcheth) Squadron. He decided to become an actor at 16 after seeing a production of Macbeth and got a role in a production of the play at The Old Vic. He left school in 1962 at 16 to enroll in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and tour with the National Youth Theatre. Dalton did not complete his RADA studies, leaving the academy in 1966 to join the ensemble of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. He had ambitions of being an actor, which pleased his father; however, his mother and her side of the family were worried, feeling that acting was not a secure profession for a young man.
Path to Hollywood
Dalton quickly moved to television, working mainly with the BBC, and in 1968 made his film debut as Philip II of France in The Lion in Winter. This was the first of several period dramas, which included a remake of Wuthering Heights in 1970 in which he portrayed Heathcliff, and the English Civil War drama Cromwell as Cavalier commander Prince Rupert of the Rhine. After a few more films, Dalton took a break in 1971 to concentrate on the theatre, performing with the Royal Shakespeare Company and other troupes throughout the world. In 1975, Dalton and Vivien Merchant headed the cast of a revival of Noël Coward’s The Vortex. With two exceptions, the films Mary, Queen of Scots and Permission to Kill, he remained a theatre actor until 1978. That year he starred in Sextette as the husband of 85-year-old Mae West, marking his return to cinema and the beginning of his American career. While in the United States, Dalton worked mainly in television, although he starred in several films. During this time, he played Prince Barin in the science fiction film Flash Gordon (1980) and played Mr. Rochester in a BBC serial of Jane Eyre (1983). Dalton starred alongside Jonathan Pryce in the film The Doctor and the Devils (1985).
Timothy Dalton Career
Early Career (1964–1986)
Dalton co-starred with Joan Collins in the miniseries, Sins (1986). He was also replaced in two films in which he’d been signed to appear. He was offered the role of real-life British Prime Minister William Lamb in the film Lady Caroline Lamb. The filmmakers replaced him with Jon Finch at the last moment; Dalton sued for breach of contract and won an out-of-court settlement. In 1985, Dalton was set to play Don Alfonso de la Torré in Roman Polanski’s film Pirates. The two men did not get along, so Polanski replaced Dalton with Damien Thomas. Dalton co-starred with Anthony Edwards in the 1988 British comedy film Hawks about two terminally ill patients who set off on a road-trip together.
Breakthrough (1986–1994)
Dalton had been considered for the role of James Bond several times. In August 1986, Dalton was approached to play Bond after Roger Moore had retired. However, he could do The Living Daylights only if the Bond producers waited six weeks. The producers were not willing to wait and offered the role to Pierce Brosnan. When news of Brosnan’s hiring was leaked, the makers of the television series Remington Steele exercised their right to renew the series, and the offer to Brosnan was withdrawn. Having now completed the filming of Brenda Starr, Dalton was available and accepted the part of Bond for The Living Daylights. Dalton’s first appearance as 007, The Living Daylights (1987), was critically successful, grossing more than either of the previous two Bond films with Moore as well as contemporary box-office rivals. His second film, Licence to Kill (1989), although almost as successful as its predecessor in most markets, did not perform as well at the U.S. box office, primarily due to a lackluster marketing campaign. With a worldwide gross of US$191 million, The Living Daylights became the fourth-most-successful Bond film at the time of its release. Dalton portrayed Bond in The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill, the fifteenth and sixteenth entries in the franchise. Unlike Moore, who had played Bond as more of a light-hearted playboy, Dalton’s portrayal of Bond was darker and more serious. He pushed for renewed emphasis on the gritty realism of Ian Fleming’s novels instead of fantasy plots and humor.
Notable Works and Milestones
Dalton’s serious interpretation of Bond was welcomed by film critics and fans of Fleming’s original novels. However, his films were criticized for their comparative lack of humor. Dalton’s serious interpretation was not only in portraying the character but also in performing most of the stunts of the action scenes himself.
Timothy Dalton Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Timothy Dalton has received various nominations for his performances, showcasing his talent and dedication to the craft.
Timothy Dalton Awards Won
Timothy Dalton has won several awards throughout his career, reflecting his contributions to film and television.
Timothy Dalton Family
Timothy Dalton has a son born in 1997. He has had notable relationships with actress Vanessa Redgrave and musician Oksana Grigorieva.
Personal Life
Dalton has residences in Chiswick, London, West Hollywood, California, and St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda. He is a supporter of Manchester City F.C. and is often seen at the City of Manchester Stadium to watch the team play.
