John Altman (actor)
| John Altman | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 March 1952 (age 72) Reading, Berkshire, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Actor/Singer |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Notable work | See below |
| Television | EastEnders |
| Spouse(s) | Bridgitte (m. 1986–97) (divorced) |
| Children | Rosanna |
| Website | http://www.johnaltman.info |
John Altman (born 2 March 1952) is an English actor and singer, perhaps best known for playing "Nasty" Nick Cotton in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. He was among the show's original cast members in 1985 and recently reappeared in 2014 after a five-year absence but was killed off in February 2015. In 2010 he became the new frontman of the band Heavy Metal Kids following the death of former frontman Gary Holton in 1985.
Career
Altman was born in Reading, Berkshire. He made his acting debut in the 1979 film The First Great Train Robbery where he played a minor role. Also in 1979, he portrayed musician George Harrison in the biographical television film Birth of The Beatles. He made brief appearances in several other films including Quadrophenia (1979) and An American Werewolf in London (1981). In 1982, Altman played the role of a Royal Navy rating alongside Timothy Spall in the channel 4 screen play Remembrance. Altman also featured in a 1982 short public information film, "Stupid Git",[1] part of the British government's campaign against drink-driving.
In 1985, he first appeared as Nick Cotton in the new BBC television soap opera EastEnders appearing in the very first episode in February that year. He appeared in the show on a recurring basis from 1985 to 2009 and recently in October 2014, he returned to the show after a five-year absence. His character has been part of many famous storylines in the show including the murders of Reg Cox and Eddie Royle, his attempt to kill his own mother Dot by poisoning her and his drug addiction. His character was also given his own television spin-off episode The Return of Nick Cotton in 2000. His character was killed off in the episode that aired on 19 February 2015, which marked the 30th anniversary of the show. A year earlier, his character's death had been announced in the show, only for it to emerge within a few months that Nick had faked his own death.
He also appeared in an adult pantomime, which released on video in 1994 titled Pussy in Boots. In the pantomime he appeared alongside fellow EastEnders stars Mike Reid and Barbara Windsor. In 2001 he won the Rear of the Year Award alongside Claire Sweeney.[2] In the same year he also performed in the Leiber and Stoller tribute evening at the Hammersmith Apollo, singing Trouble, originally performed by Elvis Presley.
In 2002, he toured around the UK playing Billy Flynn in the long-running musical Chicago. He also appeared in the John Godber written stage play Bouncers opposite fellow soap actor Nigel Pivaro who is best known for playing Terry Duckworth in Coronation Street.[3]
In 2004, he made an appearance in the comedy sketch series Bo' Selecta! as his EastEnders character. In 2006, Altman was set to appear in an upcoming British film called It's Been Real, the trailer can be seen on YouTube.[4] It still has yet to be released in cinemas. John Altman also appeared on 18 July 2009 episode of Totally Saturday by climbing out of the boot of a car.
In August 2010, he joined a band called Heavy Metal Kids.[citation needed]From late 2010, until early 2011, Altman appeared in adverts for Daz along with actors (Michael Starke and Amanda Barrie), from rival soap opera Coronation Street. In February 2011, he appeared on Live from Studio Five. In January 2012, he appeared as one of the first five couples in the third series of Celebrity Coach Trip partnering fellow actor Derek Martin.
Personal life
Altman married Brigitte in 1986 and they divorced in 1997. He has one daughter named Rosanna.[5] Born in Reading, he moved to Kent as a young child, and attended the Community College, Whitstable, then known as the Sir William Nottidge.
He is a high-profile supporter of the Rose Theatre, Kingston. In 2008, Altman played the part of King Rat in Dick Whittington, a pantomime featured at the Hexagon venue in Reading, Berkshire.
June Brown who plays his on-screen mother Dot Cotton, shares a great working relationship with Altman and she campaigned for five years to the producers to bring him back to EastEnders following his departure in 2001. According to Altman, she is like his second mother and she helped him throughout his alcoholism during the 1990s.
Altman is a patron of the Born Free Foundation and has supported the wildlife charity for many years.
In September 2010, John participated in the Bupa Great Yorkshire Run to raise funds for Alzheimer's Society, Bupa's nominated charity for the 2010 Bupa Great Run Series.
Filmography
Films
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | I am Khama | Rev. William Willoughby (voice) | Pre-production |
| 2015 | Perfect Break | Filming | |
| 2015 | My Lonely Me | Tom | post-production |
| 2015 | 1066 | Earl Leofric | pre-production |
| 2009 | Photo Shoot | Wayne Wilson | |
| 2006 | The Insane | John Vincent Narration | Short Film |
| 1969 | Matt | Short Film | |
| 2005 | Hell to Pay | Policeman | |
| It Could Be You | Tony Mantana | ||
| 1994 | To Die For | Dogger | |
| 1993 | The Higher Mortals | Mr. Thomas | |
| 1983 | Return of the Jedi | Rebel Pilot (uncredited) | |
| 1982 | Remembrance | Steve | |
| 1981 | Memoirs of a Survivor | Gerald's Courtier | |
| An American Werewolf in London | Assorted Police | ||
| 1979 | Birth of the Beatles | George Harrison | |
| Quadrophenia | John | ||
| The First Great Train Robbery | First Pickpocket |
TV
| Year | TV Show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | The British Soap Awards 2015 | Himself | |
| 1985–2015 | EastEnders | Nick Cotton | Series regular, 1985–93, 1998, 2000–01, 2008–09, 2014–15 |
| 2012 | Celebrity Coach Trip | Himself | |
| 2011 | Live from Studio Five | Himself | 1 episode |
| 2010 | Fern Britton Meets | Himself | 1 episode : June Brown |
| The Wright Stuff | Himself – Guest Panelist | 1 episode: Episode No.14.52 | |
| EastEnders: The Murders of Lucas Johnson | Himself | One Off Special Documentary | |
| Loose Women | Himself | 1 episode: Episode No.14.141 | |
| EastEnders: The Greatest Cliffhangers | Himself | 3 episodes | |
| 2007–2010 | The Weakest Link | Himself | 2 episodes: Goodies and Baddies/'EastEnders' Special 3 |
| 2009 | The Alan Titchmarsh Show | Himself | 1 episode |
| Hole in the Wall | Himself | 1 episode | |
| Totally Saturday | Himself | 1 episode | |
| The British Soap Awards 2009 | Himself | ||
| The Podge and Rodge Show | Himself | 1 episode | |
| 2008 | EastEnders: Comebacks | Himself | One Off Special Documentary |
| GMTV | Himself | 1 episode | |
| EastEnders: Whodunnits | Himself | One Off Special Documentary | |
| 2007 | No. 1 Soap Fan | Himself | |
| Granada Reports | Himself | 1 episode | |
| Soapstar Superchef | Himself | 2 episodes | |
| 2005 | Balamory | Unknown Role | 1 episode : The Game Show |
| 2004 | 100 Greatest Christmas Moments | Himself | TV documentary |
| Win, Lose or Draw Late | Himself | 2 episodes | |
| Simply the Best | Himself | 1 episode: Episode No.1.5 | |
| Celebrity Fear Factor UK | Himself | 1 episode: Episode No.1.1 | |
| Bo' Selecta | Nick Cotton | 1 episode: Episode No.3.4 | |
| 2003 | EastEnders: Christmas Party | Himself | TV film |
| Loose Lips | Himself | 1 episode | |
| 2002 | Kelly | Himself | 1 episode |
| Top Ten | Himself | 1 episode: Soap Queens | |
| 2001 | Liquid News | Himself | 1 episode |
| 2000 | EastEnders: The Return of Nick Cotton | Nick Cotton | (TV film) |
| 1998 | Lenny Goes to Town | Unknown Role | 1 episode : Cambridge |
| 1997 | Adam's Family Tree | Angus the Caveman | 1 episode: I'm the Urban Caveman |
| 1996 | Chef! | Pianist | 1 episode : Lessons in Talking |
| The Famous Five | Simmy | 1 episode: Five Fall into Adventure | |
| Cold Lazarus | Restaurant Policeman | 1 episode: Episode No.1.1 | |
| 1995–1996 | Blackhearts in Battersea | Midwink | 6 episodes |
| 1994 | Pussy in Boots | The Wicked Giant | TV: Mike Reid Live |
| 1992 | Noel's House Party | Unknown Role | 1 episode: Episode No.1.13 |
| 1991 | The Ghosts of Oxford Street | Thomas De Quincey | TV |
| The Adventures of Scragtag and Toddles, Ace Detectives | Unknown Role | TV series | |
| 1990 | The Paradise Club | Eddie | 1 episode: Rock and Roll Roulette |
| 1984 | Minder | Cabbie | 1 episode: The Car Lot Baggers |
| 1983 | Pictures | Lance Repton | 1 episode: Episode No.1.1 |
| 1982 | The New Adventures of Lucky Jim | Vic Slater | 1 episode: The Apartment |
| Play for Today | Young man on tube | 1 episode: Life After Death |
References
- ↑ Public Information Films | 1979 to 2006 | Film index | Stupid Git, John Altman. Nationalarchives.gov.uk. Retrieved on 16 August 2012.
- ↑ Rear of the Year – History. Rearoftheyearcompetition.com. Retrieved on 16 August 2012.
- ↑ Beds, Herts and Bucks Theatre – Milton Keynes Theatre – Bouncers – John Altman interview. BBC (13 September 2003). Retrieved on 16 August 2012.
- ↑ Movie Trailer: "It's Been Real" starring Samantha Fox on YouTube (3 November 2006). Retrieved on 16 August 2012.
- ↑ ::The Speakers Agency – Speakers::
External links
- EngvarB from September 2013
- Articles with hCards
- No local image but image on Wikidata
- Articles with unsourced statements from March 2011
- Use dmy dates from September 2013
- English male film actors
- English male soap opera actors
- English male stage actors
- English male television actors
- English singers
- English Christians
- People from Reading, Berkshire
- 1952 births
- Living people
