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Tony BoothBritish actor and political activist
Country:
 Great Britain |
Content:
Early Life and Education
Tony Booth was born on October 9, 1931, in a working-class family in Liverpool, Lancashire. His mother was an Irish Catholic, and his father was a merchant seaman who converted to Catholicism during World War II. Booth was raised in the Catholic faith and attended St. Edmund's Preparatory School. Due to an outbreak of diphtheria, he spent a year in hospital.
After passing his eleven-plus exams, Booth won a scholarship to St. Mary's College in Crosby, which covered the cost of his books. However, when his father was severely injured in an industrial accident, Booth was forced to leave school and work to support his family. He later found office work at a cargo liner and worked in the United States Consulate in Liverpool before being called up for National Service.
Acting Career
Booth developed a passion for acting while serving as a signaller at NATO's Central Headquarters in Paris. He spent five years working in repertory theater before making his screen debut on television and in films in the 1960s. Booth appeared in over 20 films, including "The L-Shaped Room," "Brannigan," and "Owd Bob."
Television Success
One of Booth's early television roles was as Malcolm Wilkinson in an episode of "The Avengers." However, it was his portrayal of Mike Rawlins in "Till Death Us Do Part" that brought him widespread recognition and success. Booth also guest-starred in numerous other television series. From 1974 to 1977, he starred as Sidney Noggett in the comedy film series "Confessions of a Window Cleaner," "Confessions of a Pop Performer," "Confessions of a Driving Instructor," and "Confessions from a Holiday Camp."
Personal Life
Booth was married four times. His first marriage to Gale Howard produced two daughters, Lindsey and Cherie, who later became the wife of Tony Blair. A staunch Labour Party supporter, Booth remained a vocal critic of the Blair government despite his family connections. He frequently embarrassed his daughter and son-in-law with his outspoken views. Booth also criticized the Blairs' decision to send their eldest son to the selective and grant-maintained London Oratory School.
During the firefighters' strike of 2002, Booth accused the government of "callously" overriding the demands of the strikers. He also charged that the authorities were "prepared to throw billions" at the war in Iraq instead of providing for pensioners.
Health and Death
In November 1969, Booth suffered near-fatal burns when he fell into a tub of hot paraffin while trying to break into his locked flat while intoxicated. He spent six months in hospital and underwent 26 skin grafts. Soon after his release, Booth rekindled an old romance with actress Pat Phoenix, who also starred in "Coronation Street." Phoenix nursed Booth back to health and spent six years with him. As her health deteriorated, the couple married just days before Phoenix died of lung cancer in 1986.
Booth's third wife was Nancy Jaeger, with whom he had a daughter, Joanna. He had five other daughters by women he did not marry. He separated from his first wife in 1961 and had two daughters, Jania and Bronwen, with Julia Allan. His daughter Lucy Thomas was born in 1967; her mother, Ann Gannon, was a radio saleswoman.
Booth had a 13-year relationship with Pamela Smith, which began in the 1960s. The couple had two daughters, presenter Emma and journalist Lauren Booth.
In 1998, Booth married his fourth wife, Stephanie Buckley, who remained by his side until his death.
Booth was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2004. He suffered a stroke in 2010. He also had chronic heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Booth died at home on September 25, 2017, at the age of 85.
Actor, writer, and comedian Neil Fitzmaurice, who co-starred with Booth in the 2007 miniseries "Mobile," paid tribute to his colleague, calling him "a very nice, funny guy."
