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Martin Shaw: The Biography
After making his name as Doyle in The Professionals in the 1970s, Martin Shaw's career has gone from strength to strength. Now the star of the BBC hit drama Judge John Deed, Martin is also currently treading the boards on the London stage in A Man for All Seasons. One of Britain's most popular and versatile actors, Martin has played more than 100 television roles as well as a host of distinguished and critically acclaimed lead theatrical parts. Based on a series of interviews and recollections from famous friends, relativesm and co-stars of both stage and screen, this is a revealing and honest portrait of the notoriously reluctant but hugely popular star.
- GenresBiography
262 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 4, 2013
This was an amazing read!
My Wife managed to locate this book for me at the local Library, and thought that it may be of interest to me due to Martin Shaw's role within The Professionals. She was absolutely right!
Prior to reading to this book; I was aware that Martin Shaw had played celebrated roles as Judge John Deed; The Chief and Doyle, but the breadth of Martin Shaw's talents transcend this base-level acknowledgement of his talents. This book makes this readily apparent.
Despite being best known as "TV tough guy Ray Doyle", this single creation arguably provided more artistic and practical difficulties than any other role that Martin Shaw portayed both before and after The Professionals had run it's course. Indeed, the book provided an intriguing insight into the man behind astonishing stage and TV successes from portrayals of Elvis Presley; Banquo, and Captain Scott. The underlying narrative revealed someone of great depth and belief troubled in some ways by his astounding success in The Professionals which led to concerns over typecasting.
The central narrative provided an insight into Martin Shaw as a man, and through interviews, the Authors create an inriguing image of a man with profound spiritual beliefs; a sense of conviction in political and social affairs, and an incredible self-awareness which facilitates sanity and stability.
This was a satisfying and worthwhile read and demonstrates that there is much more to Martin Shaw than Ray Doyle.
My Wife managed to locate this book for me at the local Library, and thought that it may be of interest to me due to Martin Shaw's role within The Professionals. She was absolutely right!
Prior to reading to this book; I was aware that Martin Shaw had played celebrated roles as Judge John Deed; The Chief and Doyle, but the breadth of Martin Shaw's talents transcend this base-level acknowledgement of his talents. This book makes this readily apparent.
Despite being best known as "TV tough guy Ray Doyle", this single creation arguably provided more artistic and practical difficulties than any other role that Martin Shaw portayed both before and after The Professionals had run it's course. Indeed, the book provided an intriguing insight into the man behind astonishing stage and TV successes from portrayals of Elvis Presley; Banquo, and Captain Scott. The underlying narrative revealed someone of great depth and belief troubled in some ways by his astounding success in The Professionals which led to concerns over typecasting.
The central narrative provided an insight into Martin Shaw as a man, and through interviews, the Authors create an inriguing image of a man with profound spiritual beliefs; a sense of conviction in political and social affairs, and an incredible self-awareness which facilitates sanity and stability.
This was a satisfying and worthwhile read and demonstrates that there is much more to Martin Shaw than Ray Doyle.
April 5, 2014
I love this man!!!
Such a calm, gentle, gentleman. A huge star with such little ego - and that is so rare.
Everything I have ever seen him in led me to assume that he was what you would call a true English Gentleman. And his bio verify s that.
Well written and easy to hear Martin's lovely accented voice coming through the pages. He is a very down to earth family man who loves his planes almost as much as his acting :) I found this bio to be easy to read, a page turner and refreshing - in that you don't have to troll through all the drugs, sex, rock n roll stuff that fills the pages of other stars bios.
An absolute must for any fan and even the curious.
Such a calm, gentle, gentleman. A huge star with such little ego - and that is so rare.
Everything I have ever seen him in led me to assume that he was what you would call a true English Gentleman. And his bio verify s that.
Well written and easy to hear Martin's lovely accented voice coming through the pages. He is a very down to earth family man who loves his planes almost as much as his acting :) I found this bio to be easy to read, a page turner and refreshing - in that you don't have to troll through all the drugs, sex, rock n roll stuff that fills the pages of other stars bios.
An absolute must for any fan and even the curious.
November 9, 2015
I read this on the recommendation of Sarah and it was a good read. I learnt a lot about him and cemented my opinion that he's one of the nice guys. In particular I found his faith and beliefs very interesting.
June 11, 2020
I found this book endlessly disappointing. Martin Shaw is a very fine actor and has always come across as a fascinating and complex person but this book does not seem to capture much, if any, of the 'real' person. It is arranged in a rather mechanical way, each chapter circulating around the major roles Shaw has taken. The first half has the feel of being liberally lifted from magazine interviews rather than any interaction with the subject. The later sections seem to have more direct input [or I have missed reading the relevant magazines!] but I was left with the feeling that I knew no more about the subject than I had done before reading the book...
June 28, 2020
An interesting read which talks a lot about the time before he was famous. I enjoyed reading about his fiery relationship with Lewis Collins in The Professionals.
September 19, 2021
Interesting read this always been a fan of his from is life in Birmingham to is days in the professionals and on to the odd films he has done .
Then the days of judge John deed also the inside story's to how he got some of the roles he is most famous for and what he thought of is co stars as well really interesting
Then the days of judge John deed also the inside story's to how he got some of the roles he is most famous for and what he thought of is co stars as well really interesting
February 26, 2025
Read for third time. I am getting too old to reread stuff, especially when my to be read pile is 200 to 300 books high.
After making his name as Doyle in The Professionals in the 1970s, Martin Shaw's career has gone from strength to strength. Now the star of the BBC hit drama Judge John Deed, Martin is also currently treading the boards on the London stage in A Man for All Seasons. One of Britain's most popular and versatile actors, Martin has played more than 100 television roles as well as a host of distinguished and critically acclaimed lead theatrical parts. Based on a series of interviews and recollections from famous friends, relativesm and co-stars of both stage and screen, this is a revealing and honest portrait of the notoriously reluctant but hugely popular star.
After making his name as Doyle in The Professionals in the 1970s, Martin Shaw's career has gone from strength to strength. Now the star of the BBC hit drama Judge John Deed, Martin is also currently treading the boards on the London stage in A Man for All Seasons. One of Britain's most popular and versatile actors, Martin has played more than 100 television roles as well as a host of distinguished and critically acclaimed lead theatrical parts. Based on a series of interviews and recollections from famous friends, relativesm and co-stars of both stage and screen, this is a revealing and honest portrait of the notoriously reluctant but hugely popular star.
March 3, 2012
Mostly old information, but well presented and a must have for any fan of this marvelous actor. I read it again front to back from time to time and it often feels like the first time.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews