Nigel Havers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nigel Havers
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Havers in 2004
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| Born |
Nigel Allan Havers
6 November 1951 |
| Occupation | Actor and presenter |
| Years active | 1970–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Carolyn Cox
(m. 1974; div. 1989)Polly Williams
(m. 1989; died 2004)Georgiana Bronfman
(m. 2007) |
| Children | 1 |
| Parent(s) |
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Nigel Allan Havers (born 6 November 1951) is a well-known English actor and presenter. He has starred in many popular films and TV shows.
Some of his famous movie roles include Lord Andrew Lindsay in Chariots of Fire (1981). This role even earned him a BAFTA nomination. He also played Dr. Rawlins in Steven Spielberg's war drama Empire of the Sun (1987). Another big role was Ronny in the epic film A Passage to India (1984).
On television, Nigel Havers is known for playing Tom Latimer in the comedy series Don't Wait Up. He also appeared as Lewis Archer in the popular soap opera Coronation Street from 2009 to 2019.
Contents
Early Life and Family Background
Nigel Havers was born in Edmonton, England. He has an older brother named Philip. Their father was Sir Michael Havers, who was a very important lawyer. He even became the Attorney General for England and Wales in the 1980s.
Nigel's family has a strong history in law. His aunt, Lady Butler-Sloss, and his grandfather, Sir Cecil Havers, were also famous in the legal world. His brother Philip Havers is also a KC, which is a top lawyer.
In 2013, Nigel Havers appeared on the BBC TV show Who Do You Think You Are?. On the show, he explored his family history. He found out his ancestors included a businessman from Essex and a miller from Cornwall.
Education and Learning
Nigel Havers went to Nowton Court Prep School in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. After that, he attended the Arts Educational School in London. This is an independent school that focuses on arts training.
Unlike many in his family, he did not go to Eton College. His father, however, went to Westminster School.
Nigel Havers' Acting Career
Nigel Havers is famous for playing a classic, charming English gentleman. He is known for his good looks, clear speaking voice, and polite manner.
Starting in Acting
His very first acting job was on a radio show called Mrs Dale's Diary. After that, he worked with the Prospect Theatre Company. He said he started by "carrying a spear and making cups of tea."
For nine years, he also worked as a researcher for the Jimmy Young radio show. He used his father's connections to help get politicians to appear on the show. He even helped arrange Margaret Thatcher's first radio interview.
After his theatre work, Nigel had a period where he couldn't find acting jobs. During this time, he worked for a company that sold wine. His career started to improve in 1975. He appeared in an episode of the TV series Upstairs, Downstairs.
Film and Television Success
Nigel's first small film role was in Pope Joan (1972). His first big success came in 1977. He played the main character in the BBC show Nicholas Nickleby. Soon after, he starred in another BBC drama called A Horseman Riding By (1978).
By the time he was in Chariots of Fire (1981), he was a familiar face on British TV. Even though he worked in films like A Passage to India (1984) and Empire of the Sun (1987), he became more known for his TV roles.
In the 1980s, he co-starred in the BBC sitcom Don't Wait Up (1983–1990). He also starred in The Little Princess (1986). Many people also recognize him from the Lloyds Bank TV commercials.
In 1991, Nigel Havers starred with Warren Clarke in the mini-series Sleepers. They played former KGB spies who had been living as normal Englishmen for 25 years. Their peaceful lives changed when the KGB started looking for them. The show followed their exciting chase across England.
Nigel Havers also appeared on This Is Your Life in 1992. He later wrote a book about his life called Playing with Fire in 2006.
Recent Work
In 2009, he appeared in the US TV drama Brothers & Sisters. He also had a role in The Sarah Jane Adventures, a spin-off from Doctor Who.
In November 2010, Nigel was a contestant on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!. He left the show early because he strongly disagreed with a challenge that involved electric shocks.
In 2011, he was a guest star in the Christmas episode of Downton Abbey. He played Lord Hepworth, a charming suitor.
In 2012, Nigel presented a show on ITV called The Real Chariots of Fire. This documentary was about the real runners who inspired the film. He also appeared in the comedy The Life of Rock with Brian Pern (2014) and the talent show Get Your Act Together (2015).
More recently, he appeared in the sitcom Benidorm in 2017 and 2018. He also joined other celebrities on the show Celebrity Carry On Barging. In December 2024, he became the narrator for the new Channel 4 series Help! We Bought a Hotel.
Personal Life
Nigel Havers has been married three times. His first wife was Carolyn Cox, and they had a daughter named Kate in 1977.
He later married Polly Williams in 1989. She passed away in 2004.
On 8 June 2007, Nigel married Georgiana "George" Bronfman in New York City.
He is also the godfather of the comedian Jack Whitehall.
Selected Film and Television Roles
Nigel Havers has had many roles in films and on television. Here are some of them:
Film Roles
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Pope Joan | Young Monk |
| 1981 | Chariots of Fire | Lord Andrew Lindsay |
| 1984 | A Passage to India | Ronny |
| 1987 | Empire of the Sun | Dr. Rawlins |
| 2004 | The Life and Death of Peter Sellers | David Niven |
Television Roles
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Upstairs, Downstairs | Peter Dimont | Episode: "Joke Over" |
| 1977 | Nicholas Nickleby | Nicholas Nickleby | Lead role; all 6 episodes |
| 1983–1990 | Don't Wait Up | Dr. Tom Latimer | All 39 episodes |
| 1987 | A Little Princess | Carrisford | 4 episodes |
| 1991 | Sleepers | Jeremy Coward/ Sergei Rublev |
4 episodes |
| 2009–2010, 2012–2013, 2018–2019 | Coronation Street | Lewis Archer | Series regular, 182 episodes |
| 2011 | Downton Abbey | Lord Hepworth | Episode: "Christmas at Downton Abbey" |
| 2017–2018 | Benidorm | Stanley Keen | 3 episodes |
| 2020 | The Bidding Room | Himself as host | BBC TV Series 1 (30 Episodes) |
| 2024 | The Gentlemen | Lord Whitecroft | Netflix Series, 2 episodes |
Theatre and Radio Work
Nigel Havers has also performed in many theatre productions and radio shows.
Theatre (Pantomime)
Pantomime is a type of musical comedy stage show, popular in the UK during Christmas.
- Robin Hood – London Palladium (2024)
- Peter Pan – London Palladium (2023)
- Jack and the Beanstalk – London Palladium (2022)
- Goldilocks and the Three Bears – London Palladium (2019)
- Snow White – London Palladium (2018)
- Dick Whittington – London Palladium (2017)
- The Importance Of Being Earnest – Theatre Royal, Glasgow (2015)
- Robin Hood – Theatre Royal, Plymouth (2013)
- Dick Whittington – Birmingham Hippodrome (2010–2011)
Theatre (Other Plays)
- Private Lives (2021–23) as lead actor
- Art (2018) as lead actor
- Rebecca (2011) as lead actor
Radio Shows
- Proof by Dick Francis (1987) as Tony Beach
- Reluctant Persuaders (2015) as Rupert Hardacre
Audiobooks
- The Scarifyers: The Secret Weapon of Doom (2010) as Victor Bright
- Doctor Who: No More Lies (2007) as Nick
Images for kids
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Shield of arms, displayed in the House of Lords
See also
In Spanish: Nigel Havers para niños
