5 Things You Never Knew About Timothy Dalton
Timothy Dalton, now 79 years old, is best known for his turn as James Bond, but his career and life have been full of fascinating twists and turns as well. Born Timothy Leonard Dalton Leggett on March 21, 1946, he first gained international recognition as the fourth actor to portray James Bond in The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill. However, his acting career extends far beyond 007. He began on the stage before making his film debut as Philip II of France in The Lion in Winter. Over the years, he has taken on various roles in period dramas such as Wuthering Heights, Cromwell and Mary, Queen of Scots. His filmography also includes cult favorites like Flash Gordon, The Rocketeer and Hot Fuzz.
On television, Dalton has shown his versatility with roles in Jane Eyre, Scarlett and Penny Dreadful. He has also appeared in major franchises such as Doctor Who and Doom Patrol. He has recently taken on roles in The Crown and the western series 1923. Besides his major roles, there is so much more to learn about Dalton:
1 He almost traded his acting career for the military
Warner Brothers/Everett Collection
Before he set his sights on Hollywood, Dalton had dreams of joining the military. Inspired by his father, who served in Special Operations during World War II, he originally planned to enlist and hoped to become an Air Cadet. However, a chance encounter with Shakespeare changed everything. At just 16 years old, he watched a production of Macbeth and was so captivated that he decided to pursue acting instead.
2 He dropped out of a prestigious school
Warner Brothers/Everett Collection
Dalton trained at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), a school known for producing some of the finest actors in the world. However, he never completed his studies. Instead, he left early to gain real-world experience, honing his craft with the National Youth Theatre and the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. It wasn’t long before Hollywood came calling, and by the late ’60s, he had landed roles in major films.
3 He was almost the third James Bond instead of the fourth
United Artists/Everett Collection
Many fans know Dalton for his darker, more serious take on James Bond in The Living Daylights (1987) and Licence to Kill (1989). However, he was first approached to play the role back in the late ’60s after Sean Connery stepped away. Feeling he was too young at the time, he turned it down, paving the way for George Lazenby. When he finally donned the tuxedo years later, his portrayal was considered the closest to Ian Fleming’s original Bond, however, the shift from Roger Moore’s lighthearted style proved divisive among audiences.
4 He has a son with Oksana Grigorieva
Showtime/Everett Collection
While Dalton never married and is the only James Bond actor to stay single, he has a son, Alexander Dalton, with musician Oksana Grigorieva. Alexander was born on August 7, 1997, in London. Despite Dalton’s high-profile career, he has remained very private about his personal life, but he has dated some other famous celebs, including Vanessa Redgrave, Stefanie Powers and Whoopi Goldberg.
5 He’s a devoted Manchester City fan
Warner Brothers/Everett Collection
When he’s not acting, Dalton enjoys fishing and following his favorite football club. A dedicated Manchester City supporter, he is often seen cheering on his team at the City of Manchester Stadium. His passion for the sport is just one of the many ways he stays connected to his British roots, even while splitting his time between London and Los Angeles.
Remind 
Classic Hollywood Hunks
September 2019
Cary Grant, Sean Connery, Rock Hudson and Paul Newman, smoldered onscreen and, in addition to being smokin’ hot, they were effortlessly cool.
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