John Thaw: The Biography

by Stafford Hildred

This affectionate, immensely enjoyable biography offers a fascinating look at this versatile actor, known for his award-winning performances in series like ³The Sweeney,² ³Inspector Morse,² and ³Kavanagh QC,² as well as for his work on stage and screen.

Genres: Biography

252 pages, Hardcover

First published October 29, 1998

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to meet John Thaw some twenty odd years ago on Gold Cup day at Cheltenham.
He was a gentleman!
After I realised who he was I jokingly hummed the "Sweeney" tune and called him "Regan", He laughed. When I told him that My family knew Dennis Waterman and I told him a story about him, he laughed again! Spent a while chatting, then he joked he had better go before his wife started nagging, Jamesons in hand!
He even paid for my bet!
This book is a delight for any fan !
Nice Guy

[Beth · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a joke.
A total waste of my money and time.

Source material is sketchy; mostly taken from public interviews.

Read Sheila's book instead.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a celebratory tribute to a national treasure. Loved the way each
of his series was lovingly dealt with - I'd always had a soft spot for
"Mitch", I have the DVD but always wondered what happened to it and
why it wasn't developed into a couple of series. This bio shows how
budget cuts and the TV studio's general cheapness made sure a very
worthwhile show was only a footnote in Thaw's career. A few chapters
are devoted to Morse and it's really an "everything you wanted to
know about Morse and even stuff you didn't know but were afraid to
ask". There's details of the series, about Colin Dexter's conception of
the character - even how the names of Morse and Lewis were thought
of.
His heavy drinking and smoking are only touched upon and it didn't
bother me that much - all the detail of his professional life was far
more interesting. That he was one of the youngest people to be
admitted to RADA, his school principal and drama teacher both
falsified his age (he was only 16) so he could apply. Many interviewed
spoke glowingly of his Shakespearian roles.
Only sad bit was the end - the last couple of chapters
were interviews with John, talking about his wife's health issues and
their shock separation which happened in the 1980s (within months
they had reunited) - his plans and hopes for the future, when you
realise the book was written in 1999 and only a couple of years later
Thaw would be dead, at the (for me) not old age of 60.
There was a bit in the book which for me showed Thaw's fairness -
one of John's relatives (from his mother's side) got in touch with
the author and went on a tirade, feeling that John's mother had been
very unfairly treated by John - but reading of John's sad and
at times neglected childhood, that a mother's devotion could have made
so much better - his (John) feelings are completely understandable.

[Sian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A careful considered biography

The book gave you insight into John Thaw while still respecting his need for privacy. I am delighted that he was the steadfast, loyal man with a moral core - just as I had believed him to be. Just shows how he was able to turn the pain of his childhood into a fantastic acting career.

[Ed Blackaby · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book , John Thaw was one of my favorite actors. This book tells his story from humble early life in Manchester to becoming a household name in the UK through his performances in the Sweeney & Home to Roost & Inspector Morse . The book takes us up to 1998 the same year for which he gave his finest role in Goodnight Mr Tom. A great read for any fan of the brilliant John Thaw.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but very badly written, as though thrown together without any further editing: the first chapter nearly drove me mad with its constant reminder that he’d lost his mother at a young age when she left home. Yet later on we find out that that wasn’t quite the truth. Finished about half or less.

[philomena barron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read.

I loved this read, it was clear, to the point & so honest. I have tremendous respect for John Thaw both as a person & wonderful actor. A great family man & very down to earth. Such a pity he was taken from us.

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading this again.

Well written and informative. I loved watching John Thaw no matter what he was in. One of my all time favourite actors - definitely worth a read

[Pixie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was very badly written despite it somehow managing to give some good insight into the struggles that John Thaw encountered in his early RADA days & how his home background became a superb resource for his acting abilities. It almost seemed a bit like coffee table chatter & rapidly written, and some thought into his political views & his struggles with alcohol (discounted in this book) would have given the narrative a bit more substance. I realise that this book was published in 1998, four years before his death in February 2002 so it perhaps misses the perspective of reflection on the part of the two authors. One reader recommends the biography written by his lovely wife Sheila Hancock of the two of them, so I think I will read that to get the full story!

[ann seery · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true gentleman

I absolutely love John Thaw but found this difficult to get into but it is as it says an autobiography and I found a lot out about the person he was behind his characters it took me longer to read than I’d usually take to a book but it wasn’t meant to be a gripping thriller and I can honestly say I admire the man more after reading this

[Sofia A · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great look into the life behind the man who played inspector Morse.

[Kathryn Fathers · Rating 4 out of 5]

think I've read before and still enjoyed. Great actor

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant