Biography of Timothy Dalton
Timothy Dalton is a Welsh-born Hollywood actor who became a household name worldwide for his iconic roles as James Bond ("The Living Daylights," "Licence to Kill") and Edward Fairfax Rochester ("Jane Eyre"). A product of the classic English acting tradition, he's a distinctive and commanding performer with the bearing of true aristocracy.
Childhood and Youth
Timothy Leonard Dalton Leggett was born in the spring of 1946 to a British Secret Service captain, Peter Dalton Leggett (1916-2004), and a housewife, Dorothy Scholes. The family lived in Colwyn Bay, a coastal town in Conwy County near the Irish Sea. Timothy was one of five children, with siblings Suzanne, Annabelle, Mark, and Stephen. When Timothy turned four, the family had relocated to Belper following his father's retirement.By the early 1950s, Peter Dalton had launched a career in advertising. Timothy, meanwhile, started his formal education at Herbert Strutt School. During his youth, he trained at an air cadet flight school and joined the Air Training Corps, planning to follow his father's military path. But at 15, he saw a performance of "Macbeth" that completely captivated him and changed everything. The actor recalled:
Timothy made his final decision once he came of age. In 1964, he was admitted to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Simultaneously, he started performing in Michael Croft's National Youth Theatre production of Shakespeare's "Coriolanus." The play's success at the Old Vic Theatre inspired the budding actor to drop out of the academy.When it came time to choose what to do after school, I had two ideas: to go to university for biochemistry, or to join the Royal Air Force and become an astronaut. The latter, as I now realize, was a dead end, because the British rocket program never really got off the ground. Well, it did get off the ground but only flew a short distance before falling apart.
Film Career
Timothy Dalton's career in the film industry began in 1968. His role as King Philip II of France in Anthony Harvey's historical drama "The Lion in Winter" caught the attention of critics and directors alike. This story of aging English King Henry II choosing his successor won two Golden Globes and an Oscar in 1969.
The Personal Life of Timothy Dalton
A confirmed bachelor who shied away from formal relationships, Dalton never lacked for female attention. He has been romantically linked at various times to Denise D. Lewis, Kate Fitzpatrick, and Whoopi Goldberg. Timothy has always been private about his personal life, though he's admitted in interviews that he's drawn to romances with actresses:The Welsh actor charmed Joan Collins (during filming of "Sins"), Ornella Muti (while working on "Flash Gordon"), and rumors swirled about dalliances with Elizabeth Taylor and Romy Schneider. But there were two women Timothy lived with and dated far longer than just a filming period.They're beautiful, sexy, and speak the same language as you. But I'm a 'lone wolf.' I'm simply not made for lifelong love. Usually, my love only lasts for the duration of filming. Of course, there have been exceptions.
Together, they performed on stage, with Timothy consistently calling her a great actress. Even when all of London was buzzing about their affair, Dalton never allowed himself to comment on their private life, and the couple preferred spending quiet time together over social events. The only thing that irked the actor was the regular visits from Redgrave's daughters and talks of potential children. During such times, he preferred to go fishing or read a book alone.
Oksana relocated to Los Angeles with her son, later dating Mel Gibson and having three kids with him. Dalton continues to support his former partner and son Alexander. The actor himself isn't pursuing any serious relationships, choosing instead to focus on what he loves most — traveling, acting, and voice work. Summer 2019 saw paparazzi catch him kissing someone in Florence. The mystery woman's identity remains unknown, though she was obviously much younger than the actor.
Timothy Dalton Now
In an interview, Timothy Dalton openly admitted that he enjoys solitude. He'd rather catch an opera or curl up with a book than hit any fancy social event. Timothy's happiest when his phone stays quiet for over a day, and lately he prefers voice work for animated projects over being on set. He's content with his grown son and has plenty of money for himself and his interests. Dalton does not engage with social media and does not run any personal blogs. He enjoys being "the man behind the scenes," where he feels free and comfortable.
