Born:
October 11, 1943
in
St Austell, Cornwall
Best Known For:
Playing Jim Bergerac.
Early-life:
John Vivian Drummond Nettles was born on October 11, 1943, in St Austell, Cornwall. He was adopted at birth by a carpenter and his wife, who was a cleaner. John later discovered his biological mother was an unmarried Irish nurse who died of tuberculosis at the age of 28. Despite these humble beginnings, he won a scholarship to study philosophy and history at Southampton University. He trained to be a teacher, but drifted into acting after appearing in a touring version of the play Camus during his time at university.
Career:
While appearing in amateur drama productions, Nettles was spotted by an agent who arranged work for him at the Royal Court Theatre. He made his debut as a standard bearer in Macbeth, opening doors for Alec Guinness. His first movie was The Red, White and Black in 1970. His big break came in 1972's A World At War, followed by a four-year stint in The Liver Birds. Nettles became a household name thanks to Bergerac, which ran for 10 years until 1991. TV projects since include Romeo And Juliet, The Hound of the Baskervilles and Midsomer Murders. He has also provided the narration for such programmes as Airport and The Hunt.
Quote:
"I live in the tranquility and splendour which befits someone of my seniority."
Trivia:
Nettles received an OBE in 2010.