Tom Baker

Thomas Stewart Baker (born January 20, 1934) is a British actor, mainly associated with playing the fourth incarnation of the Doctor in the long-running science fiction television series Doctor Who, whom he played from 1974 to 1981.

Baker in Doctor Who

In 1974, Baker took on the role of the Doctor from Jon Pertwee, getting it largely based on his performance in The Golden Voyage of Sinbad. He was working on a construction site at the time, as acting jobs were scarce. Initially he was dubbed "Boiler Suit Tom" by the media as he had been supplied for a press conference with some old studio set clothes to replace his modest garments.

Related Topics:
1974 - Jon Pertwee - The Golden Voyage of Sinbad

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He quickly made the part his own. As the Doctor, his eccentric style of dress and speech — particularly his trademark long scarf and fondness for jelly babies — made him an immediately recognisable figure and he quickly caught the viewing public's imagination. His decision to move on in 1981 was regretted by many of the programme's fans, and his incarnation is generally regarded as the most popular of the Doctors. Baker played the Doctor for seven consecutive seasons over a seven-year period, making him the longest-serving actor in the part on-screen.

Related Topics:
Scarf - Jelly babies - 1981

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In 1981 he married Lalla Ward who had co-starred in Doctor Who with him for two years - their marriage lasted only 16 months. In 1985, Baker married Sue Jerrard, who had been an assistant editor on Doctor Who. They moved to a converted school in Maidstone, Kent where they kept lots of cats before emigrating to France in 2002.

Related Topics:
1981 - Lalla Ward - 1985 - Maidstone - Kent - France - 2002

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