Ricky Tomlinson

Ricky Tomlinson Headshot

Actor

Birth Date: September 26, 1939

Age: 85 years old

Birth Place: Bispham, Blackpool, England, UK

English television actor Ricky Tomlinson worked on construction sites before he ever thought of performing. He was actively involved in trade union politics and, in 1972, he joined in a workers' dispute. It ended with him being sentenced to six years in prison, of which he served two. Soon after, he began to act, his first role being on the series "Play for Today" in 1981. Tomlinson worked consistently ever since, in a wide range of roles in film and television. He appeared as Bobby Grant in the soap opera "Brookside" and as Jim Royle in the working-class sitcom "The Royle Family."

His character, prone to tirades and off-color remarks, was a British equivalent to Al Bundy or Archie Bunker. During the hit show's long run (1998-2009), Tomlinson also appeared on the detective program "Nice Guy Eddie" and was featured in the workplace drama "Clocking Off." Notable feature film appearances include the soccer comedy "Mike Bassett: England Manager" and the Ken Loach movie "Raining Stones." After he became a star, Tomlinson continued to be involved in politics, presenting TV spots for the Socialist Labor Party. In 2003, he released the autobiography "Ricky."

Credits

Ricky, Sue and a Trip or Two

Host
Show
2024

Ricky Tomlinson Remembers...The Royle Family

Self
Show
2023

Caroline Aherne: Queen of Comedy

Self
Show
2023

The Royle Family: Down the Back of the Sofa

Self
Show
2023

The Best Christmas Day Telly Ever

Self
Show
2022

Blackpool's Dance Fever

Narrator
Show
2022

Ken Dodd: 30 Funniest Moments

Actor
Show
2022

Blackpool's Dance Fever

Narrator
Movie
2022

DNA Journey

Guest
Show
2021

Million Pound Motorhomes

Self
Show
2021

The Meaning of Life

Guest
Show
2020

Ricky & Ralf's Very Northern Road Trip

Host
Show
2020

Celebrity Gogglebox

Self
Show
2019

Tellin' Dad

Actor
Dad
Show
2019

Ken Dodd: How Tickled We Were

Guest
Show
2018

Made in Britain

Narrator
Show
2018

The More You Ignore Me

Actor
Bert Wildgoose
Movie
2018

Gloves Off

Actor
Mick
Movie
2017

Ken Dodd... In My Own Words

Actor
Show
2016

We Have Been Watching

Guest
Show
2016

The Last Dragonslayer

Actor
Moobin
Movie
2016

Britain's Best Loved Sitcoms

Guest
Show
2015

Blitz Cities

Host
Show
2015

Christmas of My Lifetime with Len Goodman

Guest
Show
2014

Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled

Guest
Show
2014

Good Morning Britain

Guest
Show
2014

Northern Soul

Actor
Grandad
Movie
2014

Aliens Confronted By Pigeons

Voice
Show
2013

Tipping Point: Lucky Stars

Self
Show
2013

In the FleshStream

Actor
Ken Burton
Series
2013
97%

Sitcom Does...

Self
Show
2011

The Chase: Celebrity Special

Contestant
Show
2011

Celebrity Antiques Road Trip

Guest
Show
2011

Joe's Crackers

Actor
Jim Royle
Show
2010

Royle Family Portraits

Self
Show
2010

Royle Exclusive: Behind the Sofa

Self
Show
2010

Norman Wisdom: His Story

Actor
Show
2010

Nativity!

Actor
Mayor
Movie
2009

Ricky

Host
Show
2008

Stepdad

Actor
Movie
2008

Who Do You Think You Are?

Guest
Show
2004

The Virgin of Liverpool

Actor
Frank Conlon
Movie
2003

Loose Women

Guest
Show
2002

Shooting Stars

Guest
Show
2002

5 Ways John Wayne Didn't Die

Actor
Show
2002

My Beautiful Son

Actor
Uncle Alfred
Movie
2002

Once Upon a Time in the Midlands

Actor
Charlie
Movie
2002

Al's Lads

Actor
Billy
Movie
2002

The 51st StateStream

Actor
Leopold Durant
Movie
2001
25%

Mike Bassett: England Manager

Actor
Mike Bassett
Movie
2001

Robbie the Reindeer in Hooves of Fire

Voice
Show
2000

Clocking Off

Actor
Show
2000

Nasty Neighbours

Actor
Harold Peach
Movie
2000

The Greatest Store in the World

Actor
Movie
1999

Dockers

Actor
Macca Macaulay
Movie
1999

The Royle FamilyStream

Actor
Jim Royle
Series
1998

Playing the Field

Actor
Jim Pratt
Show
1998

Mojo

Actor
Potts
Movie
1997

The Fix

Actor
Gordon
Movie
1997

Life Is All You Get

Actor
Buddy
Movie
1997

Preaching to the Perverted

Actor
Fibbin' Gibbins
Movie
1997

Hillsborough

Actor
Show
1996

Cracker: White Ghost

Actor
D.C.I. Charlie Wise
Movie
1996

Cracker: Fantasma Blanco

Actor
D.C.I. Charlie Wise
Movie
1996

Inquest

Actor
John Glover
Movie
1996

Butterfly Kiss

Actor
Robert
Movie
1995

Cracker

Actor
Wise
Show
1993

Raining Stones

Actor
Tommy
Movie
1993

Riff-Raff

Actor
Larry
Movie
1991

This Morning

Guest
Show
1988

The Bill

Actor
Ray Hickey
Show
1984

Brookside

Actor
Bobby Grant
Show
1982