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Tim Woodward
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Timothy Oliver Woodward (24 April 1953 – 9 November 2023)[1] was an English actor. His credits included Galileo (1975), Piece of Cake (1988), Families, Heartbeat, The Europeans (1979), Tales of the Unexpected (1982), Salomè (1986), Personal Services (1987) The Scarlet Letter (1995), Prime Suspect (1995), Wide-Eye (2003–2022), Pierrepoint: The Last Hangman (2005), Space Race (2005), Agatha Christie's Poirot (2006), Nuremberg: Nazis on Trial (2006), The Fattest Man in Britain (2009), Mad Dogs (2011–2013), Fleming: The Man Who Would Be Bond (2014), Houdini (2014), London Has Fallen (2016), Criminal (2016), Genius (2017), Beast (2017), The Marine 6: Close Quarters (2018), Peaky Blinders (2019), and Radioactive (2019).
Key Information
Early life and education
[edit]Timothy Oliver Woodward,[2] was born in Kensington, London, on 24 April 1953, the son of actors Edward Woodward and Venetia Collett (who used the stage name Barrett).[1] His siblings included Peter Woodward and Sarah Woodward, both also actors.[1]
He was educated at Haileybury and Imperial Service College, Hertford Heath, Hertfordshire,[2] then studied acting at RADA,[3] graduating in 1974 with an Acting (RADA Diploma).[3]
Career
[edit]Woodward's career started in 1975, playing Ludovico Marsili in the Joseph Losey film Galileo (1975).[1] His breakthrough role came in 1977 as Royal Flying Corps pilot Sergeant Alan Farmer in the BBC drama Wings (1977).[1] This was followed by his starring as the by-the-book Royal Air Force pilot Squadron Leader Rex in Piece of Cake (1988).[1]
During the 1990s Woodward made an appearance in the Granada Television soap opera Families,[4] as well as taking the role of gamekeeper Walter Gillies in Yorkshire Television's long-running 1960s drama Heartbeat.[2] A further appearance in Heartbeat came in the 2008 episode Out of the Long, Dark Night, in which he played James Knight, a former army officer.[2]
Woodward appeared in the 2000s ITV police drama Murder City,[1] and also portrayed Leonard "Nipper" Read of Scotland Yard in the 2008 ITV adaptation of Jake Arnott's crime novel He Kills Coppers.[4] He guest-starred with his father Edward and son Sam as a London gangster family in a special storyline for The Bill in 2008.[1] Also, he appeared with his father Edward in the American television series The Equalizer, in the season four episode "Prisoners of Conscience" in which he played Robert McCall's father in a flashback scene.[1]
Woodward was also known by younger audiences for his audio narration in the children's television show Wide-Eye.[2]
Personal life and death
[edit]Woodward married Amanda Smith in 1997.[1] They had two sons and a daughter. He also had a son from an earlier relationship with the actress Jan Chappell,[1] and a daughter with Kate Barnwell.[1]
Tim Woodward died of cancer on 9 November 2023, at the age of 70.[1] He was survived by his wife and five children.[1]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit] |
- 1975: Galileo – Ludovico Marsili [1]
- 1979: The Europeans – Felix Young [1]
- 1985: King David – Joab
- 1986: Salomè – Nerva
- 1987: Personal Services – Timms [2]
- 1995: The Scarlet Letter – Brewster Stonehall [4]
- 1996: Some Mother's Son – Harrington
- 1997: The House of Angelo – William Angelo [2]
- 1998: B. Monkey – Frank Rice
- 2002: K-19: The Widowmaker – Partonov
- 2005: Pierrepoint: The Last Hangman – Governor of Holloway [2]
- 2007 : Flight of Fury (Video) – Admiral Pendleton
- 2008: Stiletto (Short) – The Executive
- 2016: London Has Fallen – General [4]
- 2016: Criminal – Roderick Armstrong [4]
- 2017: Beast – Fletcher Huntingdon [4]
- 2018: The Marine 6: Close Quarters – Tommy Walker [4]
- 2019: Radioactive – Alexandre Millerand[2]
Television
[edit] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | The Expert | Det. Sgt. Hallet | BBC, series 4, episode 7 | |
| 1977–1978 | Wings | Sgt. Alan Farmer | BBC, 24 episodes | [1] |
| 1982 | Tales of the Unexpected | Timothy Burton | Episode: "Decoy" | |
| 1982 | Cousin Phillis | Edward Holdsworth | 4 episodes | |
| 1988 | Piece of Cake | Squadron Leader Rex | TV miniseries | [2] |
| 1989 | Passion and Paradise | Godfrey Higgs | TV miniseries | |
| 1989 | The Equalizer | William McCall | Episode: "Prisoners of Conscience" | |
| 1992 | Absolutely Fabulous | Headmaster Tony | BBC, series 1, episode 4 | |
| 1993 | Closing Numbers | Keith | TV movie | |
| 1996 | Heartbeat | Walter Gillies | Episode: "Old Colonials" | [2] |
| 1999 | RKO 281 | Jack L. Warner | TV movie | [4] |
| 2000–2001 | Yoho Ahoy | Audiobooks Narrator | ||
| 2003 | New Tricks | Donald Bevan | 1 episode | |
| 2003 | Wide-Eye | Audiobooks Narrator | [2] | |
| 2003 | Midsomer Murders | Timothy Webster | 1 episode | |
| 2005 | Space Race | Mitrofan Nedelin | 2 episodes | [4] |
| 2006 | Agatha Christie's Poirot | Enoch Arden / Charles | 1 episode | [4] |
| 2006 | Nuremberg: Nazis on Trial | John Amen | TV miniseries | [1] |
| 2007 | Rosemary and Thyme | Ollie | Episode: "Three Legs Good" | |
| 2008 | Heartbeat | James Knight | Episode: "Out of the Long, Dark Night" | [2] |
| 2009 | The Fattest Man in Britain | Morley Raisin | TV movie | [4] |
| 2011–2013 | Mad Dogs | Dominic | 6 episodes | [1] |
| 2014 | Fleming: The Man Who Would Be Bond | Air Chief Marshal 'Bomber' Harris | TV miniseries | [4] |
| 2014 | Houdini | Sheriff John | TV miniseries | [4] |
| 2017 | Genius | Magistrate König | 1 episode | [4] |
| 2019 | Peaky Blinders | Lord Suckerby | 1 episode | [2] |
| 2019 | Casualty | Vincent Millbank | 2 episodes | [2] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Hayward, Anthony (17 November 2023). "Tim Woodward obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Tim Woodward (C 67) – actor in Wings and A Piece of Cake". thehaileyburysociety.org. 20 November 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Rada Student & graduate profiles Timothy Woodward". rada.ac.uk. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Timothy Woodward Credits". tvguide.com. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
External links
[edit]- Tim Woodward at IMDb
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
Tim Woodward
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early years
Birth and family background
Timothy Oliver Woodward was born on 24 April 1953 in London, England.[1][4] He was the first child of prominent English actor Edward Woodward, best known for his starring roles in the television series Callan (1967–1972) and The Equalizer (1985–1989), and actress Venetia Mary Barrett (née Collett), who performed under the stage name Venetia Barrett.[1][5] Woodward grew up alongside his younger siblings, brother Peter Woodward, an actor, voice artist, director, and producer, and sister Sarah Woodward, also an actress, in a household deeply immersed in the performing arts.[1][6] The family's show business environment profoundly shaped his early years, with both parents' careers providing constant exposure to theatre and film from a young age, fostering an innate familiarity with the industry's rhythms and demands.[1]Education
Tim Woodward attended Haileybury and Imperial Service College, an independent boarding school in Hertfordshire, England, where he developed an early interest in the arts amid a family legacy of acting. However, his time there was marked by rebellion against the school's Officer Training Corps sessions, leading his parents to withdraw him early to avoid potential expulsion.[1][7] Following school, Woodward gained practical experience in theatre by working as an assistant stage manager at Richmond Theatre in Surrey for two years, which provided foundational insights into stage production before formal acting training. He then enrolled at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, completing his diploma in acting in 1974 after a three-year program that emphasized classical techniques and versatile performance skills.[1][8] During his time at RADA, Woodward participated in initial stage performances and screen tests that honed his abilities, including a successful audition in Italy alongside Liza Minnelli for an unmade film directed by Franco Zeffirelli, which showcased his emerging screen presence. Although he briefly returned to RADA after this opportunity, he ultimately left before his final term to join the Citizens Theatre Company in Glasgow, applying his training immediately in professional repertory work. This rigorous education at RADA profoundly influenced Woodward's versatile style, enabling him to adeptly portray both historical figures and contemporary characters throughout his career.[1]Acting career
Theatre work
Tim Woodward began his professional theatre career after training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), leaving before his final term to join the Citizens Theatre Company in Glasgow, where he performed repertory work in the mid-1970s.[1] His early stage experience also encompassed productions at regional venues such as Cambridge, Mold Theatre Clwyd, Ipswich, Ludlow Festival, and Chichester Festival Theatre during the 1970s and 1980s, building a foundation in classical and contemporary plays.[9] A notable early role was Laertes in Lindsay Anderson's production of Hamlet at the Theatre Royal Stratford East.[10] Throughout his career, Woodward excelled in Shakespearean roles, demonstrating a commanding presence suited to complex authority figures. In 1998, he portrayed Mark Antony in Michael Bogdanov's Antony and Cleopatra for the English Shakespeare Company, a touring production that emphasized political intrigue and passion, and Jaques in As You Like It for the same company, highlighting the character's philosophical melancholy.[11][12] He later played Claudius in Hamlet opposite Mark Rylance at Shakespeare's Globe in 2000, delivering a nuanced depiction of the scheming king.[10] In 2008, Woodward took on dual roles as Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night and Capulet in Romeo and Juliet at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, contributing to the venue's tradition of al fresco Shakespeare.[13] Woodward frequently collaborated with prominent UK ensembles, including the Tricycle Theatre (now Kiln Theatre), where he appeared in acclaimed verbatim dramas addressing social issues. These included Conor Taafe, a passer-by in the inquiry into Stephen Lawrence's murder, in The Colour of Justice (1999); a role in Ten Rounds, a cycle of interconnected boxing stories (2002); and a part in The Riots (2011), exploring the 2011 London unrest.[10][14] Other key engagements featured Jason opposite Diana Rigg in Jonathan Kent's revival of Euripides' Medea at the Almeida Theatre in 1992, which transferred to Wyndham's Theatre and Broadway in 1994, earning praise for its raw emotional intensity;[10][15] and Special Agent Cokely in D.M.W. Greer's Burning Blue, a thriller about military cover-ups, which ran at the King's Head Theatre and transferred to the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 1995.[16] He also performed in An Awfully Big Adventure at the Liverpool Playhouse.[17] In 1983, he co-founded The Group theatre company, which produced seven plays on the London fringe until 1988; additional roles included Hippolytus in Phèdre at the Old Vic (1984), Quentin in After the Fall at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast (1989), Mr. Birling in An Inspector Calls on tour (2015), and a part in Another World: Losing Our Children to Islamic State at the National Theatre (2016).[10] Woodward's deep engagement with live theatre, spanning classical texts and politically charged contemporary works, honed his ability to convey authority and moral ambiguity, qualities that translated seamlessly to his screen performances in roles such as military officers and investigators.[1]Film roles
Tim Woodward made his film debut in 1975 as the young noble Ludovico Marsili in Joseph Losey's adaptation of Bertolt Brecht's Galileo, portraying a student entangled in the astronomer Galileo Galilei's conflicts with the Inquisition.[18][1] This role marked his entry into cinema, building on his theatre background to explore historical narratives.[1] Woodward's early film work gained international attention with his portrayal of the charming, opportunistic Felix Young in James Ivory's The Europeans (1979), an adaptation of Henry James's novel set in 19th-century New England, where he depicted a European visitor navigating cultural clashes with American Puritanism.[19][20] This performance highlighted his versatility in period dramas and contributed to his recognition beyond British theatre.[1] He continued with authoritative historical figures, such as Joab, King David's loyal yet ambitious military commander, in Bruce Beresford's King David (1985), a biblical epic starring Richard Gere that showcased Woodward's command in large-scale productions.[21]) This collaboration with Beresford underscored Woodward's ability to embody complex leaders in epic cinema. Throughout his film career, Woodward frequently portrayed authority figures, including military officers and historical characters, as seen in his role as Vice-Admiral Konstantin Partonov in Kathryn Bigelow's K-19: The Widowmaker (2002), where he played a high-ranking Soviet naval officer amid a submarine crisis during the Cold War.[22] These roles often emphasized disciplined, principled men in high-stakes environments, reflecting his affinity for characters of moral and institutional weight.[1] His film contributions enhanced his reputation for gravitas in international projects, bridging theatre-honed intensity with cinematic scope and fostering collaborations with acclaimed directors like Ivory and Beresford.[1]Television roles
Tim Woodward's breakthrough television role came in the 1988 ITV miniseries Piece of Cake, where he portrayed Squadron Leader Rex, the charismatic yet arrogant leader of a Royal Air Force squadron during the early years of World War II.[1] The series, adapted from Derek Robinson's novel, depicted the pilots' experiences leading up to the Battle of Britain, emphasizing class tensions and the harsh realities of aerial combat, with Woodward's performance highlighting his ability to convey both bravado and vulnerability.[1] Throughout the 1990s, Woodward took on a prominent part in the ITV soap opera Families (1990–1991), playing John Thompson, an accountant who assumes responsibility for his missing brother's affairs amid family and international storylines linking British and Australian households.[1] This role marked one of his longest continuous television engagements early in the decade, showcasing his skill in domestic drama and ensemble dynamics. He also made multiple appearances in The Bill, including a notable 2008 storyline where he played Roger Hutton, part of a three-generation gangster family alongside his father Edward Woodward and son Sam, blending crime procedural elements with familial ties.[1] Woodward's television work extended to mystery and crime genres, with guest spots in series such as The Ruth Rendell Mysteries (1997), where he appeared as Nick Hawthorne in the two-part episode "Bribery & Corruption," exploring themes of financial intrigue and family secrets.[23] Similarly, in Silent Witness (2001), he portrayed Howard Considine across two episodes of the "Faith" storyline, contributing to the forensic drama's examination of medical ethics and personal crises.[24] His international television projects included a role as William McCall in the American series The Equalizer (1989), opposite his father Edward, and as Magistrate König in the National Geographic limited series Genius (2017), which chronicled Albert Einstein's life.[25] Demonstrating versatility across historical dramas like the World War I series Wings (1977–1978), where he played 2nd Lieutenant Alan Farmer, a blacksmith-turned-fighter pilot grappling with class divides in the Royal Flying Corps, Woodward evolved from supporting characters in the 1970s and 1980s to more central figures in ensemble pieces during the 1990s and 2000s.[1] Later credits, such as DCI Sebastian Turner in the ITV crime drama Murder City (2004–2006) and Musker in the historical series Mr Selfridge (2013), underscored his adaptability in procedural mysteries and period settings.[1][26]Personal life
Marriage and family
Tim Woodward married Amanda Smith in 1997, and the couple remained together until his death in 2023.[1] Woodward and Smith had three children: a daughter, May, and two sons, Gabriel and Dylan.[1] He also had a son, Sam, from a previous relationship with actress Jan Chappell, and a daughter, Sybil, from a relationship with Kate Barnwell.[1]Illness and death
Tim Woodward passed away on 9 November 2023, at the age of 70, from cancer.[1][27][28] His death was announced through media outlets, with The Guardian publishing an obituary on 17 November 2023 that highlighted his acting career and personal life. Tributes from industry peers and institutions followed, including a statement from the Haileybury Society, his former school, expressing profound sadness at the loss of the accomplished alumnus known for roles in productions like Wings and A Piece of Cake.[1][7] He was survived by his wife, Amanda Smith, to whom he had been married since 1997, and five children from his marriages and relationships. His body was cremated, and the location of his ashes is unknown.[4][28]Filmography
Film
1975: Galileo - Ludovico Marsili[5]1979: The Europeans - Felix Young[1]
1985: King David - Joab[27]
1987: Personal Services - Timms[29]
1995: The Scarlet Letter - Brewster Stonehall[29]
1996: Some Mother's Son - Harrington[30]
1997: The House of Angelo - Elder brother[5]
1998: B. Monkey - Frank Rice[29]
2002: K-19: The Widowmaker - Partonov[27]
2005: Pierrepoint - Governor of Holloway[31]
2007: Flight of Fury - Admiral Frank Pendleton[32]
2009: Barstool Cowboy - Mick[33]
2010: Self Made - King Lear[31]
2015: Legend - Superintendent Cummings[27]
2016: London Has Fallen - General[34]
2016: Criminal - Roderick Armstrong[27]
2017: Beast - Fletcher[29]
2018: The Marine 6: Close Quarters - Tommy Walker[29]
2019: Radioactive - Alexandre Millerand[27]
2023: Speed Is Expensive: Philip Vincent and the Million Dollar Motorcycle - Narrator[35]
Television
Tim Woodward appeared in numerous television productions throughout his career, spanning series, miniseries, and guest roles primarily on British networks such as BBC and ITV, as well as some international work.[1][5]- 1975: Chips with Everything - Pip Thompson[1]
- 1977–1978: Wings - Alan Farmer[1][5]
- 1980: The Professionals - Jimmy Keller[27]
- 1981: Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years (miniseries) - Randolph Churchill[27]
- 1982: Tales of the Unexpected (episode: "Decoy") - Timothy Burton
- 1982: Cousin Phillis - Edward Holdsworth[1]
- 1982: East Lynne - Francis Levison[5]
- 1982: Q.E.D. (episode: "The Great Motor Race")[5]
- 1983: The File on Jill Hatch (miniseries) - Billy / Police officer[1][5][29]
- 1983: Agatha Christie's Partners in Crime (episode: "The Affair of the Pink Pearl") - Lawrence St. Vincent[5]
- 1983: The Case of the Frightened Lady - Lord Willie Lebanon[5][36]
- 1984: Pope John Paul II (TV movie) - Juliusz Kydrynski[5]
- 1984: The Bill - Various roles[27]
- 1987: A Killing on the Exchange - John Field[1]
- 1987: The Dark Angel (also known as Uncle Silas) - Dudley Ruthyn[5]
- 1988: Piece of Cake (miniseries) - Squadron Leader Rex[1]
- 1989: The Equalizer (episode: "Prisoners of Conscience")[1][5][25]
- 1989: Passion and Paradise (miniseries) - Godfrey Higgs[5]
- 1990–1993: Families - John Thompson[1][5]
- 1990: The Chief - Paul Maxwell[27]
- 1992: Absolutely Fabulous (episode: "ISO Tank") - Headmaster[5]
- 1992: Between the Lines - Det. Insp. John Deakin[27]
- 1994: MacGyver: Lost Treasure of Atlantis (TV movie) - Col. Petrovic[5][29]
- 1995: Kavanagh QC - Peter Foxcott QC[27]
- 1995: Prime Suspect: The Scent of Darkness (TV movie) - George Marlow[37]
- 1996: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (miniseries) - Role unspecified[27]
- 1996: Heartbeat (episode: "Old Colonials") - Walter Gillies[5]
- 1997: David (miniseries) - Angry lieutenant[5]
- 1997: Holding On (miniseries) - Ken Clegg[5]
- 1997: Bribery and Corruption - Nick Hawthorne[5]
- 1998: Vanity Fair (miniseries) - Mr. John Osborne[5][29]
- 1999: The Colour of Justice (TV movie) - Conor Taafe / Ian Johnston[5]
- 1999: Heat of the Sun (episode: "Private Lives") - Lord Harry Elesmere[5]
- 1999: RKO 281 (TV movie) - Jack Warner[5]
- 2001: The Inspector Lynley Mysteries - Alan Napier[27]
- 2001: The Lost Battalion (TV movie) - Major General Alexander[5]
- 2002: Foyle's War - Charles Lucas[27]
- 2003: Crossroads - Bishop[1]
- 2003: Danielle Cable: Eyewitness (TV movie) - Jeff Mundy[31]
- 2003: Henry VIII (miniseries) - Duke of Norfolk[27]
- 2003: Midsomer Murders (1 episode) - Timothy Webster[31]
- 2003: The Second Coming (miniseries, 2 episodes) - Chief Constable[31]
- 2004–2006: Murder City - DI Jack Stryker[1]
- 2004: The Grid (miniseries) - Role unspecified[27]
- 2005: Bleak House (miniseries) - Mr. Vholes[27]
- 2005: The Commander - Role unspecified[27]
- 2006: Agatha Christie's Poirot (episode: "Taken at the Flood") - Enoch Arden / Charles[38]
- 2006: Nuremberg: Nazis on Trial (miniseries) - John Amen[1]
- 2007: Rosemary & Thyme (episode) - Ollie[39]
- 2007: The Tudors - William Compton[27]
- 2008: The Bill - Gangster family member[1]
- 2008: Heartbeat - Role unspecified
- 2011–2013: Mad Dogs - Paul / Corrupt police officer[1][27]
- 2011: Without You - Husband of woman in car crash[1]
- 2013: Mr Selfridge - Musker[1]
- 2015: Jekyll and Hyde - Sir Marion Carew[1]