Sylvester McCoy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sylvester McCoy
McCoy in 2018
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 20 August 1943), known as Sylvester McCoy, is a Scottish actor. He became famous for his funny physical comedy. He is best known for playing the Seventh Doctor in the TV show Doctor Who. He played the Doctor from 1987 to 1989. He also returned for a TV movie in 1996. Later, he played Radagast in The Hobbit movies (2012–2014).

Early Life and Education

Sylvester McCoy was born Percy James Patrick Kent-Smith in Dunoon, Scotland. His father passed away in World War II before he was born. When McCoy was eight, his mother became unwell and needed care. He did not know his full birth name until he was eleven.

McCoy grew up in Dunoon and went to Saint Mun's School. From ages 12 to 16, he studied to become a priest at Blairs College. He later decided not to become a priest and finished school at Dunoon Grammar School. After school, he moved to London. He worked in insurance for five years. He also worked at The Roundhouse theatre, where he was discovered by Ken Campbell.

Becoming an Actor: Early Career

Starting Out in Theatre

McCoy first became known as part of "The Ken Campbell Roadshow". This was an experimental theatre group. He had a famous act as a "stuntman" character named "Sylveste McCoy." In this act, he would do funny and unusual stunts. For example, he would put forks up his nose. The show's program listed "Sylveste McCoy" as played by "Sylveste McCoy." To avoid confusion with another actor named Kent Smith, he kept this stage name. Later, he added an "r" to "Sylveste," making it "Sylvester."

TV Shows Before Doctor Who

Before becoming the Doctor, McCoy appeared in several TV shows. He was in Vision On, playing a character called Pepe/Epep. He also appeared as an O-Man in Jigsaw and was in Tiswas. He played Bert in the maths show Leapfrog. McCoy also appeared in Eureka and as Wart in Starstrider. He played famous comedians Stan Laurel and Buster Keaton in one-man stage shows. In 1985, he played Henry "Birdie" Bowers in The Last Place on Earth. This show was about Scott's trip to the Antarctic. McCoy also had a small role in the 1979 film Dracula.

Playing the Doctor: Doctor Who Role

With Sophie Aldred during filming of Remembrance of the Daleks (1988)

Sylvester McCoy became the Seventh Doctor in Doctor Who in 1987. He took over the role from Colin Baker. He stayed on the show until it ended its original run in 1989. His last episode was Survival. He also played the Doctor in a charity special in 1993. In 1996, he appeared at the start of the Doctor Who TV movie. In this movie, Paul McGann became the Eighth Doctor.

The Seventh Doctor's Character

In his first season, McCoy used his comedy skills to make the Doctor a bit clown-like. However, the show's writer, Andrew Cartmel, soon changed this. Fans felt the character was becoming too silly. The Seventh Doctor then became a much darker character. He would plan things carefully and seemed to be playing a deeper game. McCoy used his natural Scottish accent and rolled his "r"s. Early on, he often used funny sayings. This habit was phased out as the character became darker. 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, McCoy and Colin Baker at the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Celebration Weekend in 2013

In November 2013, McCoy appeared in The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot. This was a comedy special for the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who. In January 2021, McCoy returned as the Doctor with Bonnie Langford as Mel Bush. This was a short video to announce a Blu-Ray set. McCoy also played the Doctor again in the 2022 special "The Power of the Doctor". He also appeared in the series Tales of the TARDIS.

Later Acting Roles

TV and Stage Work

After Doctor Who, McCoy had many other TV roles. He played Michael Sams in the 1997 drama Beyond Fear. In 1988, he hosted a BBC children's show called What's Your Story?. He has also acted a lot in theatre. He performed in pantomime and plays by Molière. He played Grandpa Jock in A Satire of the Four Estaites in 1996. He was also Snuff in the BBC Radio 4 comedy The Cabaret of Dr Caligari.

McCoy was considered for the role of Bilbo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings movies. In 1991, he presented a Doctor Who video documentary. He also played the lawyer Dowling in a BBC show based on the novel The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling. In 2001, he was Doctor Mallinson in "The Dead Move Fast." In 2012, he played Mr. Peters in the play Plume.

McCoy performing with Sandi Toksvig in The Lovely Russell Concert in June 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 alongside Ian McKellen. He even played the spoons in this role! This production toured Australia and New Zealand. It also played in London until 2008. He reprised the role for the 2008 TV movie.

In May 2008, he played the title role in The Mikado with the Carl Rosa Opera Company. He also played Mr. Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors in 2009. He has made guest appearances in TV shows like The Bill, Rab C. Nesbitt, and Still Game. In 2008, he was in Casualty and Doctors. In Doctors, he played an actor who once played a time-traveling hero. This role was a tribute to McCoy.

McCoy in 2014

In 2016, McCoy appeared in The Real Marigold Hotel. This BBC series followed celebrities on a trip to India. In 2017, he returned to the stage at the Edinburgh Fringe in a play called A Joke.

Playing Radagast: The Hobbit Trilogy

McCoy started filming The Hobbit movies in 2011. This was a three-part film series based on the book. He played the wizard Radagast. He worked alongside Ian McKellen, who played Gandalf.

The character of Radagast is only briefly mentioned in The Hobbit book. He is a small character in The Lord of the Rings. However, his role was made much bigger for the movies.

Personal Life

Sylvester McCoy is married to Agnes Verkaik. They have two sons. His sons appeared as Haemovores in a Doctor Who episode, but their scenes were cut. According to McCoy, 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.

Filmography

Movies

Television Shows

Theatre Performances

Short Films

Direct-to-Video Releases

Video Games

Other Works

Stage Productions

Audio Dramas

Web Appearances

See also

In Spanish: Sylvester McCoy para niños