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Tom Baker

Tom Baker
The British character actor tom baker, best known as the fourth incarnation of The Doctor, was born in 1934 in Liverpool, England. Tom, along with his younger sister Louisa and younger brother John, was raised in a poor Irish Catholic community by his mother Mary Jane Fleming Baker, a house-cleaner and barmaid, who was a devout Catholic and his father John Stewart Baker, a sailor, who was rarely at home. At age 15, Baker left school to become a monk with the Brothers of Ploermel on the island of Jersey. Six years later, he abandoned the monastic life and performed his National Service in the Royal Army Medical Corps., where he became interested in acting. Baker then served on the Queen Mary for seven months as a sailor in the Merchant Navy before attending Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama in Kent, England, on scholarship. Baker acted in repertory theaters around Britain until the late 1960s when he joined up with the National Theatre, where he performed with such respected actors as Maggie Smith, Anthony Hopkins and Laurence Olivier, who helped him get his first prominent film role as Rasputin in Nicholas And Alexandra (1971). His performance in this film earned him two Golden Globe Award nominations, one for best actor in a supporting role and another for best new star of the year. A couple of years earlier, Baker had made his theatrical film debut in The Winter's Tale (1967). Despite appearances in a spate of films, including Pier Paolo Pasolini's I racconti di Canterbury (1972), The Mutations (1974), The Vault of Horror (1973) and The Golden Voyage Of Sinbad (1974), Baker was working as a labourer at a building site when he landed the role of the main character in the popular, long-running British television series "Doctor Who" (1963), a role that brought him international fame and popularity. After his seven-year stint as Dr. Who from 1974 to 1981, Baker returned to theatre and made occasional television and film appearances, playing Sherlock Holmes in "The Hound of the Baskervilles" (1982), Puddleglum in The Chronicles of Narnia story "The Silver Chair" (1990) and Hallvarth, Clan Leader of the Hunter Elves, in Dungeons & Dragons (2000). Throughout his career, Baker's acting style has been to portray his characters with a "larger-than-life" air.



What members say | Filmography

Tom Baker - what members say


  • Doctor Who - The Robots Of Death
  • Doctor Who - The Robots Of Death review by A customer from Wolverhampton, England
    Rated - 4.0 stars 6 May 2004
    ...ense situation is made even more so by the appearance of the Doctor and Leela. Tom Baker's put down of Brian Croucher's character Borg is memorably delivered! The main...   Read customer review
  • Doctor Who - The Talons Of Weng Chiang
  • Rated - 4.0 stars Doctor Who with rice and noodles 17 November 2004
    ...ll acted, watch out for the giant rats, and that dummy. No ! not the Doctor ! Tom Baker hams it up a little towards the end, but it?s still enjoyable....   Read customer review
  • Doctor Who - Pyramids Of Mars
  • Doctor Who - Pyramids Of Mars review by RSAntilles from York, UK
    Rated - 5.0 stars FANTASTIC 13 May 2005
    ...n to be one of my favourites incorporating Egyption myth with alien technology. Tom Baker & Elisabeth Sladen shine together, it was sad to see them part. BBC DVD keep on...   Read customer review

Tom Baker - filmography


  • The Beeps - Here Comes The Beeps! on DVD (2007)
    Starring: Tom Baker,  Timmy Mallet
    Certificate: Certificate: U
    Join THE BEEPS of Beep Island for this wonderful collection of fun and cheerful animated adventures. Also includes the episodes 'The Rainbow' and 'A Little Adventure'.
    2.5 stars out of 5 50% from 5 members
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  • Tom Baker's Ultimate Sci-Fi Quiz on DVD (2006)
    Starring: Tom Baker
    Director: Max Barber
    Certificate: Certificate: Ex
    The hugely popular Tom Baker invites all Sci-Fi enthusiasts to embark on an intergalactic voyage destined to stretch the outer limits of their minds. The ULTIMATE SCIĀ–FI QUIZ contains over 500 questions split across 14 categories, using video clips, music, photographs and classic Sci-Fi quotes to ..read more »
    3 stars out of 5 55% from 82 members
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  • Little Britain - Series 1 (2 discs) on DVD (2003)
    Starring: Matt Lucas,  David Walliams,  Paul Putner
    Director: Steve Bendelack
    Certificate: Certificate: 15
    Meet the characters that inhabit Little Britain, in the first series of the comedy sketch show. Characters such as Dafydd, the only gay man in his village, Fatfighters group leader Majorie Dawes, teenage girl Vicky Pollard, and rubbish transvestite Emily Howard.
    3.5 stars out of 5 69% from 19,122 members
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  • Dungeons And Dragons on DVD (2000)
    Starring: Richard O'Brien,  Tom Baker,  Bruce Payne
    Director: Courtney Solomon
    Certificate: Certificate: 12
    In the mystical land of Izmer, a class of Mages rule by means of magic and otherworldly powers. One Mage, Profion (Jeremy Irons), wants to rule the land by himself and hopes to topple the young and inexperienced Empress Savina (Thora Birch) by acquiring her mystical scepter--the key to controlling ..read more »
    2.5 stars out of 5 48% from 1,878 member
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  • Doctor Who - Horror Of Fang Rock on DVD (1993)
    Starring: Tom Baker
    Director: Paddy Russell
    Certificate: Certificate: U
    An engineer dies in mysterious circumstances on the lighthouse on the isle of Fang Rock. The Doctor and Leela soon discover clues that suggest that no-one is safe on Fang Rock...
    3.5 stars out of 5 71% from 2,183 members
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  • The Chronicles Of Narnia - The Silver Chair on DVD (1990)
    Starring: Tom Baker
    Director: Alex Kirby
    Certificate: Certificate: U
    Based on the novel by C.S. Lewis, 'The Silver Chair' follows the adventures of Jill Pole and Eustace Scrubb as they find themselves on a mission to rescue Prince Rillian from a Witch Queen.
    3 stars out of 5 60% from 2,520 members
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  • Blackadder - Series 2 on DVD (1986)
    Starring: Rowan Atkinson,  Tony Robinson,  Stephen Fry
    Director: Mandie Fletcher
    Certificate: Certificate: 15
    The degradation of the grand and proud tradition that is the British monarchy continues as the loathsome Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson) snivels his way through the 16th century into the court of Queen Elizabeth I. All 6 Episodes of Series 2: 1. Bells 2. Head 3. Potato 4. Money 5. Beer 6. ..read more »
    4 stars out of 5 80% from 28,417 members
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  • Jemima Shore Investigates (1983)
    Starring: Patricia Hodge,  Bill Nighy,  Don Henderson
    Director: Alan Grint
    Certificate: Certificate: 12
    Patricia Hodge stars as the investigative journalist, TV presenter, writer and amateur sleuth first encountered in the famously chilling Armchair Thriller strand, 'Quiet as a Nun' (also available from Network DVD). This enormously popular series - based on the novels by Antonia Fraser - also ..read more »
    1.5 stars out of 5 26% from 3 members
    Not available for rental
  • The Curse of King Tutankhamen's Tomb (1980)
    Starring: Raymond Burr,  Robin Ellis,  Tom Baker
    Director: Philip Leacock
    Certificate: Certificate: PG
    In November 1922, Howard Carter and his backer, Lord Carnarvon, make an extraordinary discovery in the Valley of the Kings, the sacred burial ground of the pharaohs, near Luxor: the tomb of the frail young king, Tutankhamen. But the rumour of an ancient curse, of impending grief and disaster, ..read more »
    3 stars out of 5 No ratings yet. Be the first.
    Not available for rental
  • Doctor Who - The Leisure Hive on DVD (1980)
    Starring: Tom Baker,  Lalla Ward,  John Leeson
    Certificate: Certificate: PG
    Tom Baker's Doctor and Romana set off for a delightful holiday at the Leisure Hive, a resort compound on the post-apocalyptic Argolis, planet of pleasure. Unfortunately, the Doctor soon finds himself saving the universe from a madman intent on destruction.
    3 stars out of 5 64% from 1,950 member
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  • Doctor Who - Nightmare Of Eden on DVD (1979)
    Starring: Tom Baker,  Lalla Ward
    Director: Alan Bromly,  Graham Williams
    Certificate: Certificate: PG
    Two spacecraft fuse in a hyperspace collision, and with the dimensional instabilities threatening everyone aboard, it's fortunate the Doctor (Tom Baker), Romana (Lalla Ward) and K-9 arrive to help. But when a crewmember is found clawed by a ferocious creature, it seems there's something even more ..read more »
    4 stars out of 5 74% from 40 members
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  • Doctor Who - Destiny Of The Daleks on DVD (1979)
    Starring: Tom Baker,  Lalla Ward,  Peter Straker
    Director: Ken Grieve
    Certificate: Certificate: PG
    The Doctor (Tom Baker) and the newly-regenerated Romana land on a strangely familiar planet and investigate the drilling that is going on there. The Daleks are searching for their creator, Davros (last seen in 'Genesis of the Daleks'), in the hope that he can assist them in their war with the ..read more »
    3.5 stars out of 5 74% from 1,324 member
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  • Doctor Who - The Key To Time (7 discs) on DVD (1978)
    Starring: Tom Baker
    Director: George Spenton-Foster,  Norman Stewart,  Michael
    Certificate: Certificate: PG
    Join the popular Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) and the beautiful Romana on a 26-episode intergalactic treasure hunt for the six segments of the all-powerful Key to Time. Includes all six stories from the popular series: The Ribos Operation, The Pirate Planet, The Stones of Blood, The Androids of Tara, ..read more »
    4 stars out of 5 77% from 1,103 member
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  • Doctor Who - The Invasion Of Time on DVD (1978)
    Starring: Tom Baker,  Louise Jameson
    Director: Gerald Blake
    Certificate: Certificate: PG
    The Doctor returns to his home planet of Gallifrey and claims the presidency of the Time Lords. Leela suspects he is acting out of character and it is soon revealed that the doctor has in fact been planning all along to outwit the Vardans and Sontarans...
    3.5 stars out of 5 71% from 923 members
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  • Doctor Who - The Face Of Evil on DVD (1977)
    Starring: Tom Baker,  Louise Jameson
    Director: Pennant Roberts
    Certificate: Certificate: PG
    When the Tardis arrives on a jungle planet, the Doctor encounters two warring tribes, the Sevateem and the Tesh. The Sevateem worship a god called Xoanon and the Tesh are supposedly keeping Xoanon prisoner... But why do the Sevateem call the Doctor the Evil One? And what are the invisible ..read more »
    4 stars out of 5 77% from 108 members
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  • Doctor Who - The Sun Makers on DVD (1977)
    Starring: Pennant Roberts,  Tom Baker
    Director: Tom Baker
    Certificate: Certificate: U
    The TARDIS arrives in the future on the planet Pluto where there are now six suns, a breathable atmosphere and a large industrial community. The Company controls the planet and exploits the workers, pays them a pittance and then taxes them on everything imaginable. The Doctor and Leela join forces ..read more »
    4 stars out of 5 76% from 206 members
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  • Doctor Who - The Talons Of Weng Chiang (2 discs) on DVD (1977)
    Starring: Tom Baker
    Director: David Maloney
    Certificate: Certificate: PG
    This feature-length adventure, set deep in the heart of Victorian London, sees the good Doctor in deadly combat with giant creatures from the sewers, the deformed and dangerous Magnus Greel, and a bizarre Chinese illusionist....
    3.5 stars out of 5 73% from 2,453 members
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  • Doctor Who - The Robots Of Death (1977)
    Starring: Tom Baker,  Louise Jameson
    Director: Michael E. Briant
    Certificate: Certificate: PG
    In this episode, Doctor Who (Tom Baker) and his new companion, Leela (Louise Jameson), land on Storm Mine 4, a planet where a few humans oversee the work of a multitude of servile robots who do the mining. Almost as soon as they arrive, Dr. Who and Leela are accused of committing two recent murders...read more »
    3.5 stars out of 5 73% from 2,335 members
    Not currently released
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  • Doctor Who - The Hand Of Fear on DVD (1976)
    Starring: Tom Baker,  Elisabeth Sladen,  Glyn Houston
    Director: Lennie Mayne
    Certificate: Certificate: PG
    The Doctor and Sarah return to Earth, but are plunged into danger as soon as they step from the Tardis. They arrive in a quarry rigged with explosives, and the blast leaves Sarah unconscious in the rubble, a fossilised stone hand in her grip. What strange power does the hand have over Sarah Jane?
    3.5 stars out of 5 72% from 1,561 member
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  • Doctor Who - The Deadly Assassin on DVD (1976)
    Starring: Tom Baker,  Angus Mackay,  George Pravda
    Director: David Maloney
    Certificate: Certificate: PG
    The Doctor arrives on Gallifrey, where he is accused of the assassination of the Time Lord President. Investigating with the aid of Co-ordinator Engin and Castellan Spandrell, he discovers that this is part of a plot hatched by his old adversary the Master. Having used up all twelve of his ..read more »
    4 stars out of 5 76% from 728 members
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  • Doctor Who - Pyramids Of Mars on DVD (1975)
    Starring: Tom Baker
    Director: Paddy Russell
    Certificate: Certificate: U
    The Doctor arrives on Earth in 1911 to find an Egyptologist, Marcus Scarman, who has been possessed by the last of the Osirans, Sutekh - who is trapped inside a pyramid in Egypt by a beam from Mars. Under Sutekh's control, Scarman builds mummy robots which are, in turn, to build a missile to ..read more »
    4 stars out of 5 74% from 2,492 members
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  • Doctor Who - Robot on DVD (1974)
    Starring: Tom Baker
    Director: Christopher Barry
    Certificate: Certificate: PG
    Can Doctor Who save the Earth from an atomic war....? A four-part adventure which heralds the start of the Tom Baker era.
    3.5 stars out of 5 72% from 1,214 member
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  • Doctor Who - The Ark In Space on DVD (1974)
    Starring: Tom Baker,  Elisabeth Sladen
    Director: Rodney Bennett
    Certificate: Certificate: U
    In this feature-length space story the Doctor, Harry and Sarah arrive on an artificial satellite where the survivors of Earth lie in cryo-genic suspension, waiting for a new life. But the Doctor soon discovers there has been a sinister intrusion and some of the survivors are not now what they seem...
    3.5 stars out of 5 71% from 2,351 members
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  • Doctor Who - U.N.I.T Files (3 discs) on DVD (1974)
    Starring: Jon Pertwee,  Tom Baker
    Director: Barry Letts,  Paddy Russell
    Certificate: Certificate: PG
    The Third Doctor faces ravenous prehistoric monsters in deserted London, while the Fourth Doctor battles robot duplicates in a strange village - but are the forces of UNIT friends or foes? Find out in these classic adventures! The Android Invasion: When the TARDIS lands in the sleepy English ..read more »
    4 stars out of 5 79% from 122 members
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  • Nicholas And Alexandra on DVD (1971)
    Starring: Michael Jayston,  Janet Suzman,  Laurence Olivier
    Director: Franklin J. Schaffner
    Certificate: Certificate: PG
    The story of the final years of Tsar Nicholas and Empress Alexandra of Russia, and the revolution which turned their lives upside down, and changed the world. Academy Award Nominations: 6, including Best Picture. Academy Awards: Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Costume Design.
    3.5 stars out of 5 65% from 554 members
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  • History Of Ships on DVD
    Starring: Tom Baker
    Certificate: Certificate: Ex
    Explores the ships of the twentieth century which have ruled the seas.
    2.5 stars out of 5 46% from 27 members
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  • History Of Flight on DVD
    Starring: Tom Baker
    Director: David Curnock
    Certificate: Certificate: Ex
    This is the compelling and inspiring story of aviation, from its earliest origins through to supersonic passenger flight and beyond. "The Little Book of Flight" is written by David Curnock whose fascination with all things aviation started at an early age. Fantastic photographs highlight some of ..read more »
    2.5 stars out of 5 55% from 10 members
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  • Who Is Tom Baker? - Unauthorised
    Starring: Tom Baker
    Certificate: Certificate: Ex
    Includes a highly revealing interview with Tom plus lots of clips and other fascinating Doctor Who information.
    1.5 stars out of 5 24% from 5 members
    Currently unavailable
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Tom Baker facts

5 most recent films

The Beeps - Here Comes The Beeps! - 2.5 stars
Tom Baker's Ultimate Sci-Fi Quiz - 3.0 stars
Apollo 11 - The Eagle has Landed - 2.5 stars
The Magic Roundabout - 3.0 stars
Little Britain - Series 1 - 3.5 stars

5 highest-rated films

Doctor Who - The Seeds of Doom - 4.0 stars
Blackadder - Series 2 - 4.0 stars
Doctor Who - U.N.I.T Files - 4.0 stars
Doctor Who - The Face Of Evil - 4.0 stars
Doctor Who - The Key To Time - 4.0 stars

5 lowest-rated films

The Curse of King Tutankhamen's Tomb - 3 stars
Jemima Shore Investigates - 1.5 stars
Who Is Tom Baker? - Unauthorised - 1.5 stars
History Of Ships - 2.5 stars
The Beeps - Here Comes The Beeps! - 2.5 stars

Most frequent co-stars

Elisabeth Sladen - 15 times - show films
Lalla Ward - 14 times - show films
Louise Jameson - 11 times - show films
Matthew Waterhouse - 8 times - show films
John Leeson - 7 times - show films

Most frequent directors

Norman Stewart - 12 times - show films
David Caffrey - 9 times - show films
George Spenton-Foster - 9 times - show films
Michael - 8 times - show films
Peter Moffatt - 8 times - show films