Today we offer a closer acquaintance with the world famous English theater and film actor Timothy Dalton and learn about the details of his career and personal life. Most viewers remember him as James Bond in two films about Her Majesty's agent: License to Kill and Sparks from the Eyes.
Biography
Timothy Dalton, who later became a star of the first magnitude in Hollywood, was born on March 21, 1946 in the town of Colwyn Bay, located in the English county of Wales. Unfortunately, practically nothing is known about his childhood and youth. After graduating from school in 1964, Timothy began to play at the National Youth Theater, where for three years he was a leading actor. In parallel with his work, young Dalton studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
The beginning of a film career
In 1966, Dalton was first invited to work on television. And after a couple of years, his debut on the big screen took place. It was the role of King Philip in a historical film called The Lion in Winter, directed by Anthony Harvey. Interestingly, another future Hollywood celebrity, Anthony Hopkins, made her debut in the same tape. After this work, they paid attention to the young actor and began to actively invite him to shoot in various projects.
In 1970, Dalton starred in several films at once, among which, in addition to English, there were several Spanish and Italian films. The actor also took part in television historical productions, in particular in a reliable story about the civil war that took place in England in the XVII century, under the name "Cromwell".
Films with Timothy Dalton continued to appear on the screens. So, in 1971, the drama “Mary the Queen of Scotland” by Charles Jarraud and the film “Great Performances” was released. Also, the actor did not leave work on television.
Hollywood debut
The career of the British actor was perfect, and in 1978 he was invited for the first time to star in the American film directed by Ken Hughes under the name "Sextet." It was a light comedy musical in which Timothy Dalton played the role of Sir Michael Barrington. In the same year, a British-made film "Agatha" was released with the brilliant participation of the actor.
Continuation of a career. Flash Gordon
Every year, films in which Timothy Dalton took part were released on large screens. This actor has already received quite wide acclaim, and all his works have always been successful. Perhaps the most serious project in which he took part at that time was the US-British film Flash Gordon, directed by Mike Hodges. This fantastic film is considered to be a classic movie. Even despite the rather mediocre play of the leading actor Sam J. Jones, the film was quite a big success largely due to the beautiful and talented duo Timothy Dalton and Ornella Muti, who, by the way, debuted in this project.
Jane Eyre
It is safe to say that Dalton's career on English television reached its peak in 1983. For this period, the actor’s participation in the series called "Jane Eyre" directed by Julian Amis. Dalton brilliantly starred Edward Rochester.
The series was followed by several diverse, but certainly vivid images created by Timothy in such films as “Sins”, “Lord of Ballantre” and “Doctor and the Devils”.
James Bond
Actor Timothy Dalton every year became an increasingly significant figure in the cinema: critics tirelessly noted his talented play, and the directors offered a lot of different roles. In 1987, he starred in a film that brought him truly worldwide fame. We are talking about the film "Sparks from the Eye," in which Dalton played the role of the secret agent of Her Majesty James Bond. The actor’s partners in the shooting were celebrities such as Jeroen Crabbe and Maryam d'Abo. Two years later, he again appeared in the already familiar role of agent 007 in the film under the title “License to kill” directed by John Glen. Since then, Timothy Dalton, whose best films without fail included films where he played the role of James Bond, became Hollywood star number 1.
1990s
Being at the peak of popularity, the actor continued to act continuously. So, in 1990, the film was released on the screens under the name “Royal Whore” directed by Axel Corti, who also wrote the script for the film. The film was a film adaptation of the novel by Jacques Tournier, “Jeanne de Lune, Countess de Verois”. In addition to Timothy Dalton, the main roles in the film were played by Stefan Freiss and Valeria Golino. The picture made a splash and was perfectly received by both spectators and critics.
After that, Dalton starred in several more successful films, such as Rocketeer, Naked in New York and Trap. The next hit with the participation of the actor was the 1994 film "Scarlett" directed by John Erman. In the film, Dalton paired with Joanne Wally-Kilmer starred Rhett Butler.
2000s
With the onset of the new millennium, the actor continues to act in film. It can be seen both in very interesting films recognized by the classics of Hollywood, and in commercial films. However, all the projects with his participation certainly became real hits at the box office.
In the early 2000s, Timothy Dalton delighted the audience with his roles in such films as “Share of Time”, “Obsessed with the Devil”, “American Heroes”. In 2005, he starred in the film "Hercules" directed by Roger Young. Dalton's partners on the set were Paul Telfer and Bruce Alpress.
The next time Timothy shone on the screens in 2007, when a criminal comedy with his participation called “Like Cool Pointers” was released. The English constable became the hero of Dalton, whom they decide to send to work in a quiet and calm place for good service, but in fact, the town of Stanford is very far from ideal.
In 2009, the actor starred in the next season of the British science fiction series Doctor Who. A year later, he again appeared on large screens, performing one of the roles in the film "Tourist". In 2014, the release of a new film with the participation of the actor is expected - "Horror on the cheap."
Timothy Dalton: personal life
When it comes to things not related to the career of an actor, he becomes laconic and reserved. However, it is known that Timothy Dalton, whose personal life has always been the subject of interest of thousands of women, has been married to Oksana Grigorieva, actress, composer, singer and model of Russian origin for many years. In August 1997, the couple had a son, who was given the name Alexander. At the moment, Timothy is divorced. However, he continues to maintain a relationship with his son, whom he worships.
It is also known that in the period from 1977 to 1986, the actor was in a relationship with Vanessa Redgrave, an English actress, whom he met on the set of the film "Mary - Queen of Scotland."
Interesting facts about Timothy Dalton
In his free time, the actor enjoys fishing, reading, and also listening to opera and jazz. In addition, Dalton is keen on collecting antiques.
At first, two actors claimed to play the role of James Bond: Pierce Brosnan and the hero of our story today. However, Brosnan at the time of filming turned out to be a contract with television, in connection with which Timothy Dalton became the 007 agent. Interestingly, a few years later, the situation repeated exactly the opposite. Dalton was busy working on television, so James Bond was played by Pierce Brosnan.