A short while ago it was the 75th birthday of Timothy Dalton, who of course took the role of 007 in The Living Daylights 1987 & Licence to Kill 1989. It may not be well known but he had tested for and been offered the role in 1968 on the departure of Connery, but felt he was too young. Then in the early 1980s when Moore was deemed to be ageing, it was mooted again but he was committed elsewhere. In 1986 Brosnan was set to take over, but at the very last was not released from his Remington Steele contract so Dalton agreed to take it, on condition that 007 returned to the Bond of the books and away from the gadgets and humour. He would have made GoldenEye too as he was contracted for a third film, but there had been a long legal battle between producers and he had become involved with other work, so he was released and Brosnan at last took his chance. Born in Colwyn Bay, North Wales he was raised in Manchester and lived as a family in Belper, Derbyshire, where he was educated at Herbert Strutt Grammar School. He joined the National Youth Theatre and studied at RADA before joining Birmingham Repertory. He made his screen name in The Lion in Winter 1968 as Philip II, and in his 72 screen credits featured in many significant roles – Cromwell 1970 as Prince Rupert – Wuthering Heights as Heathcliff 1970 – Mary Queen of Scots as Darnley 1971 –then joined the Royal Shakespeare Company & toured the world, playing leads in Romeo and Juliet, King Lear, Henry V, Love’s Labours Lost and Henry IV Parts 1 and 2. He then came back to screen and appeared in Charlie’s Angels 1976 – was Prince Barin in Flash Gordon 1980 - Rochester in Jane Eyre 1983 – Marc Antony in Antony & Cleopatra 1984 & had a long 14-years association with Vanessa Redgrave – after Bond films was in The Rocketeer 1991 - won an award for Framed 1992 - Rhett Butler in Scarlett 1994 – Julius Caesar in Cleopatra 1999 – Hot Fuzz 2007 against type – Lord President Rassilon in Doctor Who 2009-10 – the voice of Mr Pricklepants in Toy Story 3 2010 and 4 2019 and spinoffs, plus Penny Dreadful 2014-16 and has been starring in Doom Patrol since 2019. He lives in Chiswick, London and West Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, LA; also has a holiday home in St John’s Island, Antigua and loves fishing, also being a massive fan of Manchester City FC. We believe he is more than worthy of a match in his honour and hope you accept – if the number or ratings do not suit, then please make contact.
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