Tom Baker
Thomas Stewart "Tom" Baker (born 20 January 1934) is an English actor. He is best known for his role as the fourth incarnation of the Doctor in the science fiction series Doctor Who, which he played from 1974 to 1981. In a 2005 poll, his voice was found to be the fourth most recognisable in Britain. At the age of 15 Baker became a novice monk with the De la Mennais Brothers in Jersey and later in Shropshire. However, he gradually lost his vocation and when 21 he left monastic life and undertook National Service in the Royal Army Medical Corps. On leaving the army, he joined the Merchant Navy and then became an actor joining the Royal National Theatre Company under Laurence Olivier. Baker's first major film role was as Rasputin in Nicholas and Alexandra, and he played the villain in The Golden Voyage of Sinbad in 1973. In 1974, Baker assumed the role of the Doctor in the BBC science fiction series, Doctor Who, becoming an iconic figure and the longest to hold the role. He continued to win regular roles in TV later in his career, most notably in the series Medics and Monarch of the Glen. With his highly distinctive voice, in addition to other character roles, Baker has narrated many adverts, video games and television series including Little Britain.