A versatile British actor noted for his great power and command on the classical stage and in several other mediums including radio, film and TV, Timothy West was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, on October 20, 1934, the son of actors (Harry) Lockwood West and his wife Olive (Carleton-Crowe). Educated at John Lyon School and the Polytechnic, he first appeared on the stage in 1956 at the Wimbledon Theatre in a production of "Summertime." He then spent several seasons in repertory at such venues as Wimbledon, Newquay, Hull, Northampton, Worthing and Salisbury. He made his London debut at the Piccadilly Theatre in the comical farce "Caught Napping" in 1959.

For the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Aldwych (in 1964), he appeared in "Afore Night Come" and "The Marat-Sade," in addition to building up his Shakespeare repertoire with roles in "The Merry Wives of Windsor," "Love's Labour's Lost," "The Merchant of Venice," "The Comedy of Errors" and "Timon of Athens." For the Prospect Theatre Company he appeared he took on the Shakespearean roles of Prospero ("The Tempest"), Claudius ("Hamlet"), Bolingbroke ("Richard II") and Mortimer ("Edward II"), among others. He also played the noted historical figure Samuel Johnson in two plays.

Along with definitive portrayals of Lear, Macbeth, Falstaff and Shylock, he became well-respected as a stage director. More recently he directed a touring production of "H.M.S. Pinafore" while delightfully grandstanding in the role of Sir Joseph Porter. Other recent performances at age 70+ include "National Hero" and the title role in "The Life of Galileo."

Cutting a grand and imposing Wellesian figure, his acclaimed work on TV has included recreating a number of his classical characters. He has played kingly roles, such as his superb Edward VII in the epic miniseries Edward the King, and essayed a number of notable historical figures such as Cardinal Wolsey in Henry VIII, Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbechev in Breakthrough at Reykjavik and Martin Luther. He has portrayed Winston Churchill a number of times in such master productions as Churchill and the Generals, The Last Bastion and Hiroshima, while his extended gallery of greats have gone on to include Sir Thomas Beecham and Joseph Stalin.

Although his star shines less bright on film, he has nevertheless contributed greatly over the years with marvelously stern and scowling character roles in such prestigious fare as Nicholas and Alexandra, The Day of the Jackal, Hedda (as Judge Brack), Agatha, Cry Freedom, Ever After and Iris.

Long married to second wife actress/comedienne Prunella Scales, the couple have appeared together on stage over the years in such productions as "When We Are Married," "A Long Day's Journey Into Night," "The Birthday Party" and "The External." They have two sons, Joe and Samuel West, the latter also an actor of note. Timothy's daughter Juliet is from his first marriage. A gifted raconteur, he is the author of several books, including "I'm Here I Think, Where are You?," a collection of letters written while on tour, his autobiography "A Moment Towards the End of the Play," and, his most recent, "So You Want to Be an Actor?" co-written with wife Prunella. In 1984 he was made CBE for his services to the profession and has received honorary doctorates from six different universities.


Father of Samuel West. Has a daughter named Juliet. Attended Bristol Grammar School in Bristol, England, where he was in the same class as actor Julian Glover. "Darth Vader" actor David Prowse was also in the same year there. A big fan of boating, he has owned a narrowboat since 1979 and regularly holidays on it with his family. He also is vice-president of The Waterways Trust, the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust and a patron of the Huddersfield Canal Society. He was also involved in the restoration of The Waverley, the world's last ocean-going paddle steamer. Met second wife Prunella Scales in 1960 when they appeared together in the TV production "She Died Young." They married three years later after his divorce. Is the President of the prestigious drama school London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), in London.