Tom Courtenay - Actor Profile

Tom Courtenay

Acting
Freshness: Jan 19, 2026
50Total Films
8.4 Highest Rated
Born: Feb 25, 1937
Birth Place: Kingston-Upon-Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England, UK

About Tom Courtenay

An English actor who came to prominence in the early 1960s with a succession of films including The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962), Billy Liar (1963), and Dr. Zhivago (1965). Since the mid-1960s he has been known primarily for his work in the theatre. Courtenay received a knighthood in February 2001 for forty years' service to cinema and theatre. Courtenay is the President of Hull City A.F.C.'s Official Supporters Club. In 1999, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Hull University. Description above from the Wikipedia article Tom Courtenay, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Tom Courtenay reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Tom Courtenay's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 46% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Tom Courtenay remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Royle Family: Behind the Sofa, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Tom Courtenay Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Tom Courtenay's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Tom Courtenay.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2024 Alec Guinness: A Class Act self Average Similar →
2022 The Railway Children Return Uncle Walter Hit Similar →
2020 Summerland Mr. Sullivan Super Hit Similar →
2019 Cinderella: After Ever After The King Hit Similar →
2019 The Aeronauts Arthur Glaisher Hit Similar →
2019 The Queen's Corgi The Duke of Edinburgh (voice) Average Similar →
2018 King of Thieves Kenny Collins Average Similar →
2018 The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society Eben Ramsey Hit Similar →
2018 Grandpa's Great Escape Grandpa Average Similar →
2016 Dad's Army Lance Corporal Jones Flop Similar →
2015 The Legend of Barney Thomson Chief Superintendent McManaman Average Similar →
2015 The First Film Himself Average Similar →
2015 45 Years Geoff Mercer Hit Similar →
2013 Night Train to Lisbon Older João Eca Hit Similar →
2012 Quartet Reginald Paget Hit Similar →
2012 Gambit The Major Average Similar →
2010 The Royle Family: Behind the Sofa Self Super Hit Similar →
2008 The Royle Family: The New Sofa Dave Best Sr. Super Hit Similar →
2007 The Golden Compass Farder Coram Average Similar →
2007 Flood Leonard Morrison Flop Similar →
2004 Ready When You Are, Mr McGill Joe McGill Hit Similar →
2002 Nicholas Nickleby Newman Noggs Hit Similar →
2001 Last Orders Vic Average Similar →
2000 Sir John Mills' Moving Memories Self (archive footage) Flop Similar →
2000 Whatever Happened to Harold Smith? Harold Smith Average Similar →
1998 A Rather English Marriage Roy Southgate Flop Similar →
1996 Famous Fred Kenneth (voice) Average Similar →
1996 The Boy from Mercury Uncle Tony Cronin Average Similar →
1995 The Old Curiosity Shop Daniel Quilp Average Similar →
1995 The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Treasure of the Peacock's Eye Bronislaw Malinowski Average Similar →
1991 Let Him Have It William Bentley Hit Similar →
1991 The Last Butterfly Antoine Moreau Flop Similar →
1987 Leonard Part 6 Frayn Flop Similar →
1987 Happy New Year Edward Saunders Average Similar →
1985 Me and the Girls George Flop Similar →
1983 The Dresser Norman Hit Similar →
1973 I Heard the Owl Call My Name Mark Brian Hit Similar →
1971 Catch Me a Spy Baxter Clarke Flop Similar →
1970 One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich Ivan Denisovich Average Similar →
1969 Otley Gerald Arthur Otley Average Similar →
1968 A Dandy in Aspic Gatiss Hit Similar →
1967 The Day the Fish Came Out The Navigator Flop Similar →
1967 The Night of the Generals Corporal Hartmann Hit Similar →
1965 Doctor Zhivago Pasha Antipov / Strelnikov Super Hit Similar →
1965 King Rat Grey Hit Similar →
1965 Operation Crossbow Robert Henshaw Hit Similar →
1964 King and Country Pvt. Arthur Hamp Hit Similar →
1963 Billy Liar William Terrence 'Billy' Fisher Hit Similar →
1962 The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner Colin Smith Hit Similar →
1962 Private Potter Pvt. Potter Flop Similar →

Tom Courtenay - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Tom Courtenay?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Tom Courtenay is "The Royle Family: Behind the Sofa" with a rating of 8.4/10.

How many movies has Tom Courtenay acted in?

Tom Courtenay has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Tom Courtenay?

Other notable films include "The Royle Family: The New Sofa", "Doctor Zhivago", and "Summerland".