Biography
Best known for his many distinguished years in British theater, Tom Courtenay is also a noted film star who, while never achieving the fame of his contemporaries
Albert Finney and
Alan Bates, has earned great respect for his memorable performances. A ship painter's son born in Hull, Yorkshire, Courtenay learned the craft at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He took his first professional bow in a 1960 production of Chekhov's The Seagull at the Old Vic. Courtenay next replaced
Albert Finney in Billy Liar and went on to play the title character in the 1963 film version. In 1962, Courtenay made an auspicious film debut as the angry, misunderstood young protagonist in the highly acclaimed
The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner. Through the '60s, the gaunt Courtenay played similar roles. In 1971, his promising film career mysteriously derailed and Courtenay returned to working on-stage. He first appeared on Broadway in the 1977 production of Otherwise Engaged. Courtenay returned to the screen in 1983 to co-star with
Albert Finney in
The Dresser. Film appearances since then have been sporadic. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide