Sylvester McCoy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sylvester McCoy
McCoy at the 2018 MCM London Comic Con
Born	Percy James Patrick Kent-Smith (1943-08-20) 20 August 1943 (age 81) Dunoon, Argyll and Bute, Scotland
Other names	Sylvester McCoy Sylveste McCoy Kent Smith
Education	Blairs College
Occupation	Actor, physical comedian
Years active	1964–present
Known for	Seventh incarnation of the Doctor in Doctor Who
Spouse(s)	Agnes Verkaik
Children	2

Percy James Patrick Kent-Smith (born on August 20, 1943), known as Sylvester McCoy, is a Scottish actor. He became famous for his funny and energetic "physical comedy" acts. He is best known for playing the Seventh Doctor in the TV show Doctor Who. He played the Doctor from 1987 to 1989 and returned for a TV movie in 1996. He also played the wizard Radagast in The Hobbit movies (2012–2014).

About Sylvester McCoy

His Early Life

Sylvester McCoy was born Percy James Patrick Kent-Smith in Dunoon, Scotland. His father died in World War II before he was born. He was raised by his grandmother and aunts.

He went to St. Mun's School in Dunoon. From ages 12 to 16, he studied to become a priest at Blairs College. Later, he went to Dunoon Grammar School. After school, he moved to London and worked in insurance for five years. He was discovered by actor Ken Campbell while working at The Roundhouse theatre.

How He Became Famous

McCoy first became known as part of "The Ken Campbell Roadshow". He played a funny "stuntman" character named "Sylveste McCoy." His acts included putting a fork and nails up his nose. He also put ferrets down his trousers and set his head on fire!

The show's program listed "Sylveste McCoy" as being played by "Sylveste McCoy." A reviewer thought this was a real person, so Kent-Smith started using it as his stage name. Later, he added an "r" to "Sylveste" to make it "Sylvester."

Before Doctor Who, he appeared on TV shows like Vision On and Tiswas. He also played famous comedians Stan Laurel and Buster Keaton on stage.

Playing the Doctor

Sylvester McCoy with Sophie Aldred while filming Remembrance of the Daleks (1988)

Sylvester McCoy became the Seventh Doctor in Doctor Who in 1987. He took over from Colin Baker. He was the Doctor until the show ended its original run in 1989. He also appeared briefly in the 1996 Doctor Who TV movie.

At first, McCoy's Doctor was very funny and clown-like. But later, the character became darker and more serious. This Doctor was very clever and seemed to be playing a deeper game. McCoy used his natural Scottish accent and rolled his "r"s.

In 1990, Doctor Who Magazine readers voted McCoy's Doctor "Best Doctor." Since 1999, he has continued to play the Seventh Doctor in audio plays for Big Finish Productions.

Peter Davison, Sylvester McCoy, and Colin Baker at a Doctor Who 50th Anniversary event in 2013

In 2013, McCoy appeared in The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot, a special comedy for the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who. In 2021, he returned as the Doctor for a short video promoting a Blu-Ray set. He also played the Doctor again in the 2022 special "The Power of the Doctor" and in the series Tales of the TARDIS.

Other Roles and Work

After Doctor Who, McCoy continued acting in TV shows and theatre. He played Grandpa Jock in a play called A Satire of the Four Estaites. He was also in the BBC Radio 4 comedy The Cabaret of Dr Caligari.

He almost played Bilbo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings movies. He appeared in the TV series The Bill, Rab C. Nesbitt, and Still Game. In 2008, he was in an episode of Doctors. He played an actor who used to play a time-traveling hero called "The Amazing Lollipop Man." This role was a special tribute to McCoy.

Sylvester McCoy performing with Sandi Toksvig in 2008

McCoy has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He was in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In 2007, he played the Fool in King Lear with Ian McKellen. He even played the spoons in this role! He later reprised this role for a 2008 TV movie.

In 2009, McCoy played Mr. Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors. In 2016, he was in The Real Marigold Hotel, a BBC series about celebrities traveling to India. In 2017, he performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with Star Trek: Voyager actor Robert Picardo.

Sylvester McCoy at the MCM London Comic Con in 2018

The Hobbit Movies

McCoy started filming The Hobbit movies in 2011. These films are based on the famous book. He plays the wizard Radagast. He worked alongside Ian McKellen, who played Gandalf.

Radagast is a small character in the original Hobbit book. However, his role was made much bigger for the movies.

His Personal Life

Sylvester McCoy is married to Agnes Verkaik. They have two sons. His sons live in Holland and Thailand.

He was raised Catholic but is now an atheist. During the COVID-19 pandemic, McCoy spent some time living in France.

Film and TV Appearances

Films

Television Shows

Theatre Performances

Short Films

Direct-to-Video

Video Games

Other Works

Stage Performances

Audio Dramas

See also

In Spanish: Sylvester McCoy para niños