Christopher Timothy

26/01/2009

What would the erstwhile TV vet-turned dashing doc say to his 16-year-old self?

At 16 I was so acne-ridden the teachers called me ‘spotty’ and someone at school said I had a face like the craters of the moon. I felt totally inadequate and unattractive. I was a teenager in the ’50s, rock’n’roll had started and the world was suddenly full of sex symbols. I just wanted to look like Alan Ladd or Elvis, and I knew that I didn’t.

I had a reputation of being big headed and outgoing but I was covering up my insecurities. All the actors I know who I regard highly are like that: not outgoing, introspective. That’s why they want to be actors.

I knew since I was seven I wanted to be an actor. Sitting at the cinema watching The Blue Lamp I became aware of the affect a close up could have.

I’d love telling my young self that one day I’d get a role in one of the most loved programmes of its’ time. I’d been acting for 15 years before I got All Creatures Great and Small and I was keen to be better known. Not because I wanted to be mobbed in Woolworths, but I wanted better opportunities. It was almost an immediate success. I got pretty famous, but I enjoyed that.

You try to set an example but everyone makes mistakes. My first marriage broke up, and I had adopted children. As strongly as I believe in adoption and all the problems and joy it brings, the bottom line is I adopted two children then got divorced. No matter how you look at it, that’s failure.

I’d tell my young self to listen to what a friend once said – never do a role you don’t have respect for. I’ve done grossly undemanding parts and it was clear from the audience reaction they knew they were watching garbage; it made me ashamed.

I’d tell my younger self to remember that respect is everybody’s right, unless they prove themselves unworthy. I’ve always tried to value everyone equally, cleaners, stage hands, star actors, and let them know it. That’s my
philosophy for life.

Interview: Jane Graham

Christopher Timothy stars in Tons of Money, King’s Theatre, Edinburgh, Feb 2-7