[email protected]
Matt Smith
Eleventh Incarnation of the Doctor in the British TV Series "Doctor Who" also stars in Netflix's "The Crown"
Matt Smith's drama teacher suggested he play a role in a school production of "Twelve Angry Men," sparking a love of acting. Smith eventually joined the National Youth Theatre in London, where his first roles on the stage included those in "Murder in the Cathedral" and "The Master and Margarita." He went on to study drama and creative writing at the University of East Anglia.
Matt Smith's first professional stage roles included "Fresh Kills" and "On the Shore of the Wide World," which transferred to the prestigious Royal National Theatre in London. He also appeared in Alan Bennett's acclaimed play "The History Boys," and later made his debut in the West End in a production of "Swimming With Sharks," starring Christian Slater. He then starred in the critically acclaimed Polly Stenham play "That Face" at London's Royal Court Theatre and was nominated (with the rest of the cast) for a 2008 Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre. Smith also won the Evening Standard's "Best Newcomer" award.
His first television roles were in BBC adaptations of the Philip Pullman books "The Ruby in the Smoke" and "The Shadow in the North," playing the character Jim Taylor, in 2006.
In 2008, at age 26, Smith became the youngest actor to be cast in the lead role of the Doctor in the popular British science-fiction television program "Doctor Who." After an intense, three-week casting process, Smith's new role became big news in Britain, where the series has a near-cult following. "Doctor Who," produced by the BBC and originally broadcast from 1963 to 1989, is a major part of British culture and is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running science-fiction television show in the world.
Smith fit right in with the young, sought-after cast. For his portrayal, he was nominated for a BAFTA Award in 2011. Smith stepped down as the Doctor in 2013.
Related Speakers View all
Karen Gillan
Actress, Known for Her Role as Amy Pond on "Doctor W...
|
|
John Cho
Actor Known for "Harold & Kumar" Series & "Star Trek...
|
|
John Boyega
British Actor Known for "Star Wars"
|
|
Benedict Cumberbatch
English Actor Best Known for "Sherlock;" Ambassador ...
|
|
Michael Ironside
Actor, Voice Actor, Producer, Film Director and Scre...
|
|
Alan Ritchson
Actor, Model & Singer; Best Known for Amazon's "Reac...
|
|
Clark Gregg
Actor Known For "The New Adventures of Old Christine...
|
|
Paul Reiser
Actor, Writer & Stand-Up Comedian Known for Portrayi...
|
|
Joe Pantoliano
Emmy Award-Winning Actor & Film Producer; Mental Hea...
|
|
David Tennant
Scottish Actor Known for "Doctor Who" and "Broadchurch"
|
|
Simon Lovell
English Comedy Magician, Card Shark Actor and Con Man
|
|
Nicholas Brendon
Actor; Known for "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Cri...
|
|
Martin Freeman
English Actor Best Known for the UK's "The Office," ...
|
|
Emma Bell
Actress Who Played Amy in "The Walking Dead" and Emm...
|
|
IronE Singleton
Best known as Theodore "T-Dog" Douglas on AMC's "The...
|
|
Simon Helberg
Actor & Comedian; Best Known for Role of Howard Wolo...
|
|
Jennifer Morrison
Actress, Model & Film Producer; Known For "House" an...
|
|
Justin Lee
Korean-American Actor Known for his Role as Annyong ...
|
|
Ki Hong Lee
Actor Known for "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" & "The M...
|
|
Pedro Pascal
Emmy-Nominated Chilean Actor Known for "The Mandalor...
|