Peter Firth
Born: 27th October
1953; Bradford, UK
Nationality: British Height: 5ft 4in (1.63 m) Spouse: Maya Firth (divorced); Lindsey Readman (divorced) Children: 2 sons; Alexander, James & 1 daughter; Amy Character in Spooks: Harry Pearce Peter was born in Bradford to Eric and Mavis Macintosh Firth. As a young boy, Peter joined a Saturday drama club at the Civic Playhouse in Bradford. Not for any real love of acting, but rather because of the pretty girls who seemed to frequent there. He was given some small acting parts as a young lad, which eventually led to a ratings winner, The Flaxton Boys; playing a leading role. Double Deckers with Peter as Scooper, the leader of the gang, followed on, and started him on the path he is still on today. A little older, and Peter was offered the role of Alan Strang in the National Theatre’s production of Peter Shaffer’s play, Equus; a part for which he is still remembered and praised for to this day. He stayed with the National Theatre for a few years after that, being mentored by Laurance Olivier. As Peter recently told a reporter for Yorkshire Post, |
‘Instead of going to drama school, I learned from the best; I was 19 and fearless, and I took it all in my stride.’
Equus moved to Broadway, and Peter was nominated for a Tony Award. A few more films with household name actors, and directors, such as Roman Polanski and it seemed like Hollywood was calling. In 1977 Peter starred in a film adaptation of Equus with Jenny Agutter and Richard Burton, who he says, opened his eyes to a whole new world. Peter explains that, despite many film offers, he resisted the urge to accept the ‘Americanisation’ that was pushed onto him, and philosophically now sees that, that decision may have perhaps been to his cost.
Despite his rejection of Hollywood, he went on to work with some of the greatest directors of the modern age of film, including Attenborough, Lumet, Polanski and Spielberg, as well as many A-list leading actors and actresses. His career spreads from Blockbuster movies, to BAFTA award winning TV dramas, like Spooks.
He has been married (and divorded) twice: to the Irish dancer Maya and actress Lindsey Readman with whom he has three children, Amy, Alexander and James Firth. On 17 July 2009, he was awarded an Honorary degree by the University of Bradford as a Doctor of Letters for his services to acting, having been nominated by the School of Computing, Informatics & Media; he received his award during the school's degree ceremony.
After finishing Spooks, Peter took a short break, but recently appeared in BBC Drama, Mayday as well as acting in his first ever radio play, where he played the real-life ex-head of MI6.
You can find a full filmography for Peter Firth at IMDb.
Despite his rejection of Hollywood, he went on to work with some of the greatest directors of the modern age of film, including Attenborough, Lumet, Polanski and Spielberg, as well as many A-list leading actors and actresses. His career spreads from Blockbuster movies, to BAFTA award winning TV dramas, like Spooks.
He has been married (and divorded) twice: to the Irish dancer Maya and actress Lindsey Readman with whom he has three children, Amy, Alexander and James Firth. On 17 July 2009, he was awarded an Honorary degree by the University of Bradford as a Doctor of Letters for his services to acting, having been nominated by the School of Computing, Informatics & Media; he received his award during the school's degree ceremony.
After finishing Spooks, Peter took a short break, but recently appeared in BBC Drama, Mayday as well as acting in his first ever radio play, where he played the real-life ex-head of MI6.
You can find a full filmography for Peter Firth at IMDb.