Tony Haygarth facts for kids

Tony Haygarth (born George Anthony Haygarth on February 4, 1945 – died March 10, 2017) was a talented English actor. He was well-known for his work in TV shows, movies, and plays.

Quick facts for kids Tony Haygarth
Tony Haygarth
Born	George Anthony Haygarth (1945-02-04)4 February 1945 Liverpool, Merseyside, England
Died	10 March 2017(2017-03-10) (aged 72) Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England
Nationality	British
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1971–2013
Spouse(s)	Carole Winter ​ ​ (m. 1985; div. 2013)​
Children	2

Tony Haygarth's Acting Journey

Tony Haygarth had many different jobs before he became a professional actor. He worked as a lifeguard and even tried to be an escapologist, but these didn't work out. He also worked as a psychiatric nurse.

He started acting as a hobby before turning it into his career. He performed in "repertory theatre," which means he acted in many different plays with the same group of actors. Later, he joined famous groups like the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre.

Early Roles in TV and Film

Tony Haygarth's first movie role was in the comedy film Percy in 1971. After that, he appeared in many police and historical dramas. He also acted in "situation comedies," which are funny TV shows about everyday life. People often saw him as a reliable and down-to-earth character.

From 1977 to 1981, he played PC Wilmot in the TV series Rosie. He also played Milo Renfield in the 1979 movie Dracula. In this film, he acted alongside famous stars like Frank Langella and Laurence Olivier.

Key TV Shows and Movies

Tony Haygarth played the main character in Kinvig (1981), a science-fiction comedy show. He was also in Boys from the Blackstuff (1982) as a docker. He played the charming but tricky Sanchez in Farrington of the F.O. (1986–87).

From 1997 to 2002, he had a leading role as Vic Snow in the ITV series Where the Heart Is. In 2005, he appeared in the TV version of Under the Greenwood Tree.

Theatre Work and Awards

Tony Haygarth was also a successful theatre actor. He was nominated for Laurence Olivier Theatre Awards for his roles in The Tempest and Twelve Angry Men in 1996. These awards are very important in British theatre.

He also wrote several plays himself. He won the Clarence Derwent Award for his play Simpatico in 1995. His first play, The Lie, was about the death of Christopher Marlowe, another famous writer from Shakespeare's time.

Later Career Highlights

In 1995, Tony Haygarth appeared in Our Friends In The North as Roy Johnson, a police officer. He was also in two episodes of Sharpe and an episode of Inspector Morse.

His movie roles included voicing Mr. Tweedy in the animated film Chicken Run (2000) and appearing in Fakers (2004). In 2008, he played Alfred Doolittle in a play called Pygmalion. Later that year, he joined the cast of the TV soap opera Emmerdale. He continued acting in TV shows like New Tricks until 2011.

Other Interests and Studies

Beyond acting, Tony Haygarth was very interested in Shakespeare. He studied a mysterious character known as the "Dark Lady" from Shakespeare's Sonnets. She is an unidentified person mentioned in some of Shakespeare's poems.

Haygarth looked closely at a portrait called Mistress Holland. He believed it was actually a picture of Emilia Lanier, who is thought by some to be the "Dark Lady." His own play, Dark Meaning Mouse, featured Emilia, Shakespeare, and another historical figure named Simon Forman.

Family and Passing

Tony Haygarth passed away on March 10, 2017, at his home in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. He died from complications of Alzheimer's disease, a long illness. He was divorced from Carole Winter, and they had two daughters named Katie and Becky.

Selected Filmography