Biografía

Queen Elizabeth noticed Courtenay's shyness when she met him at a Buckingham reception during the run of "Doctor Zhivago." The monarch reportedly remarked, "Look at him, and to think he's just led a revolution!".

He was awarded Knight Bachelor of the Order of the British Empire in the 2001 Queen's New Year's Honours List for his services to drama.

Courtenay was offered but rejected the title role in Jesús de Nazareth (1977) because he disliked the screenplay. It became a big break for Robert Powell.

He is the subject of the song "Tom Courtenay" by Yo La Tengo.

He was nominated for two Tony Awards as Best Actor (Play): in 1977 for "Otherwise Engaged," and in 1982 for "The Dresser," a part recreated in his Oscar-nominated performance in the film of the same name, El vestidor (1983).

The film business is absurd. Stars don't last very long. It's much more interesting to be a proper actor.

When I go out on stage I like to be aware that there are a lot of women there. They are generally the loudest laughers.

[speaking in 1961] "Take all this thing now about working-class actors and writers: it's simply a release of certain talents from that class."

I never did anything about my stardom, it never meant anything to me.

I don't want to peak too early. The worry is that you never know until it's all over whether you peaked at all - and then you're finished and it's too late.