Sir Tom Courtenay, born in Kingston upon Hull on February 25, 1937, is a British actor and one of the leading figures of the British New Wave of the 1960s. He rose to prominence with iconic roles in films such as *The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner* (1962), for which he won a BAFTA for Most Promising Newcomer, and *Billy Liar* (1963). His international career took off with *Doctor Zhivago* (1965), for which he received his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. A second nomination, this time for Best Actor, came for *The Dresser* (1983), a performance that earned him a Golden Globe Award. Alongside his work in film, he has maintained an extensive career in theatre, often prioritizing the stage for long periods. His more recent accolades include the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival for *45 Years* (2015). In 2001, he was knighted for his services to drama.