A well-known British actor with credits in theater, television, and movies is Alun Armstrong. He has acted in plays like “The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby,” movies like “Oliver Twist,” TV shows like “New Tricks,” and plays like “Oliver Twist.” He primarily plays wild and deranged characters on stage and television. In the English town of Annfield Plain, Armstrong was born. During his time in school, he began to pursue acting and enrolled in the National Youth Theatre summer program. In the British crime movie “Get Carter,” he made his acting debut in a supporting role. The movie was a success on the box office and is frequently cited as one of the best British productions. He is most known for his work as an eccentric ex-detective in the drama TV series “New Tricks.” The television show ran for twelve years. In the legal drama series “Garrow’s Law,” he also played a pivotal part. He has performed on stage and has played the part of Thénardier in the London production of “Les Misérables.” Additionally, he was seen playing the title character in the drama Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Olivier Award-winning performance by him.
Early Childhood & Life
On July 17, 1946, he was born Alan Armstrong in the English community of Annfield Plain, which is located in the county of Dunham. Both of his parents were Methodist lay preachers, and his father was a coal miner.
Armstrong chose to pursue acting while he was a student at Annfield Plain Junior School. He played the part of Petruchio in the Shakespearean comedy “The Taming of the Shrew.” He participated in the National Youth Theatre Summer School in 1964.
He pursued his art studies at Newcastle University after being rejected by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. However, due to his poor attendance, he was ejected after two years.
He had been a gravedigger and a bricklayer for a while. Later, he secured employment at the Cambridge Arts Theatre as an assistant stage manager. He got his start in acting by appearing in radio plays on BBC Radio 4.
Movie Career of Alun Armstrong
A supporting part in the British crime drama “Get Carter” was Alun Armstrong’s debut on the big screen. The movie, which was directed by Mike Hodges, was about a gangster looking into the unintentional death of his brother. Keith was the name of the role Armstrong played. The movie had a successful box office run and eventually gained a reputation as one of the greatest British movies ever.
The notable ones were “The Likely Lads” (1976), “A Bridge Too Far” (1977), “The French Lieutenant’s Woman” (1981), “Krull” (1983), “That Summer of White Roses” (1989), “White Hunter Black Blood” (1990), “Blue Ice” (1992), and “Black Beauty.” Over the following years, he made numerous film appearances, mostly in minor and supporting roles (1994).
He made an appearance in the 1995 Oscar-winning war epic “Braveheart.” The Mel Gibson-directed movie was not only a critical and financial success, but it also took home five Oscars. Armstrong kept on acting, showing up in movies including “The Saint” (1997), “Strictly Sinatra” (2001), and “Eragon” (2006). After a brief sabbatical, he returned in 2016 with a supporting role in the British movie “Golden Years.”
Career in TV
In TV series, Alun Armstrong primarily portrayed supporting and guest characters. He appeared in several TV shows, including General Hospital (1972), Father Brown (1974), Enemy at the Door (1978), Get Lost (1981), and This is David Lander (1988). His performance as quirky ex-detective Brian Lane in the 2003–2015 television series “New Tricks” is perhaps his most well-known work.
Additionally, he had appearances in a number of TV movies, including “The House” (1984), “The Widowmaker” (1990), “Breaking the Code” (1996), and “This is Personal: The Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper” (2000), for which he received a Royal Television Society Award nomination. Other TV movies he appeared in over the years include “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” “The Girls Who Came to Stay,” and “When I’m 64.” (2012).
His appearance in the investigative drama series “Prime Suspect 1973” is his most recent television work. Clifford Bentley, the crook Armstrong portrayed, was plotting a bank robbery.
Dramatic Career of Alun Armstrong
The work of Alun Armstrong in theater shows is also well known. One of his earliest performances was as Billy Spencer in the drama “The Changing Room.” His nine-year tenure with the Royal Shakespeare Company began in 1979. Numerous plays, including “Much Ado About Nothing” and “The Caucasian Chalk Circle,” included him.
Throughout his theatrical career, he received several Olivier Award nominations. For his performance in “Les Misérables,” he received his first nomination in 1985 for “Outstanding Performance by an Actor.” For his part in “The Jew of Malta,” he received another nomination. In the end, Armstrong won the prize in 1994 for his portrayal of Sweeney Todd in a performance of the same-named musical.
He continued to perform in several other plays over the course of the following two decades, including “Death of a Salesman,” “The Royal Hunt of the Sun,” “A House Not Meant to Stand,” and “My Fair Lady.” His most recent performance was in the drama “Exit the King.”
Major Works of Alun Armstrong
One of Alun Armstrong’s most important pieces of work is the 1995 epic war movie “Braveheart.” The First War of Scottish Independence against King Edward of England was the focus of the Mel Gibson–directed and –starred blockbuster. The movie was a box office hit, making around three times its original budget. It received 10 Oscar nominations, and it won five of them.
In the British thriller drama series “New Tricks,” he portrayed the series’ protagonist. From 2003 through 2015, it was broadcast. The fictional organization, led by a female boss, and made up of retired police officers was the subject of the television show. James Bolam, Amanda Redman, Dennis Waterman, and Denis Lawson were additional actors in the production. The saying “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” served as the inspiration for the show’s title.
He had a significant part in the 2012 television movie “The Mystery of Edwin Drood.” It was loosely based on Charles Dickens’ unfinished book of the same name. Director Diarmuid Lawrence oversaw it. Ron Cook, Rory Kinnear, Julia McKenzie, and Matthew Rhys were among the other performers who appeared in the movie. The movie was broadcast on BBC 2 on January 12.
Recognition & Achievements
Alun Armstrong’s portrayal in the musical thriller “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” earned him the 1994 Olivier Award for Best Actor.
Armstrong’s portrayal in the 2004 TV movie “When I’m 64” earned him a “Dallas OUT TAKES” Award for Best Actor in 2005.
In 2016, the Portsmouth International Film Festival honored him for his performance in the film “Out of Innocence” with the title of “Best Supporting Actor.”
Both the University of East Anglia and the University of Sunderland awarded Armstrong honorary doctorates: an honorary doctorate of letters and an honorary doctorate of arts.
Individual Life of Alun Armstrong
Susan J. Bairstow is the wife of Alun Armstrong. Tom, Joe, and Dan are the names of the couple’s three children.
Alun Armstrong’s Net Worth
Alun Armstrong is one of the wealthiest and most well-liked actors in movies. Alun Armstrong’s net worth is estimated to be $1.5 million based on our research of Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider.