David Tennant

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David Tennant Biography

David Tennant (born David John McDonald, 18.4.1971)

David Tennant is a Scottish TV and stage actor, best known for taking on the lead role of the BBC series Doctor Who.

David Tennant: Childhood

David Tennant was born in Bathgate, West Lothian and raised in Ralston, Renfrewshire. His father, Reverend Alexander McDonald was the local Church of Scotland minister. He was the youngest of three children and was educated at Ralston Primary school and then Paisley Grammar School.

It was at secondary school that David Tennant's talents were first recognized, by his English teacher, Moira Robertson. He studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. He has since said that he has been doggedly determined to play Doctor Who from a very early age. He met Tom Baker at a book signing in Glasgow, which further cemented his ambition. When choosing his professional acting name, he was influenced by Neil Tennant of the band Pet Shop Boys.

David Tennant: Acting Role

David Tennant's debut acting job, after graduating from drama school was in a performance of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, which also starred Ashley Jensen. He also landed an early role as a transsexual barmaid named Davina in an episode of Rab C Nesbitt.

David Tennant then worked with Arabella Weir on Takin' Over the Asylum. When he eventually moved to London, he lodged with her for five years. They have subsequently worked together on Posh Nosh (also starring Richard E. Grant) and the audio drama Exile.

Tennnant built a successful stage career with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He also appeared semi-naked onstage at the Royal National Theatre in Joe Orton's What The Butler Saw.

In Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer's Randall & Hopkirk, David Tennant played an eccentric Scottish artist in the first episode. He also appeared in a large number of BBC drama series, such as He Knew He Was Right with Bill Nighy, Blackpool with David Morrissey and Sarah Parish in The Quatermass Experiment.

Tennant has also appeared in a number of films, including Stephen Fry's Bright Young Things, which had a ensemble cast, including Emily Mortimer, Michael Sheen, James McAvoy and Dan Aykroyd. He also played the role of Barty Crouch Jr. in the film adaptation of JK Rowling's Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The film also starred Daniel Radcliffe, Ralph Fiennes and Michael Gambon.

David Tennant had his name put forward for the role of Doctor Who before he actually landed it, missing out originally to Christopher Eccleston. When Eccleston announced that he would not return for a second series, David Tennant was confirmed as his replacement.

Among the actresses playing the Doctor's sidekicks have been Billie Piper, Jessica Hynes and Catherine Tate. He also played the Doctor in an episode of Ricky Gervais' comedy series Extras.

In May 2008, David Tennant appeared on Derren Brown's Trick or Treat, seemingly predicting the future using automatic handwriting.

In 2009, David Tennant starred in a BBC film version of the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Hamlet. He also filmed a pilot for a NBC show entitled Rex Is Not Your Lawyer and presented Comic Relief with Davina McCall. Tennant also played the role of Pomfrey in the December 2009 release of St. Trinian's II: The Legend of Fritton's Gold.

David Tennant: Personal Life

David Tennant's mother, Helen, died of cancer in 2007. His father had a non-speaking cameo in the Doctor Who episode 'The Unicorn and the Wasp'.

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David Tennant Picture Gallery

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David Tennant Catherine Tate picture 3434547

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The Latest David Tennant News

David Tennant Helps Raise 50000 For London Homeless Charity

4th February 2012

The Doctor Who star David Tennant was among the celebrities to be auctioned off for....

David Tennant Among The Stars At Charity Pub Quiz Following Audio Drama Award Win

3rd February 2012

It's been a good week for David Tennant, the former star of 'Doctor Who,' after he was named....

David Tennants Charity Quiz

3rd February 2012

David Tennant joined a host of famous faces including Hugh Grant and Jonathan Ross for a charity....

David Tennant Wins Radio Award

30th January 2012

British actor David Tennant has been recognised for his radio work after picking up the Best Actor....

Billie Piper 29 Set For Baby Boy No 2

10th January 2012

Actress and singer Billie Piper is expecting a baby boy, with her husband Laurence Fox, according....

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David Tennant Video and Audio

The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists - Extended Trailer

The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists - Extended Trailer

The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists, Extended Trailer and Information

The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists, Extended Trailer And Information

Fright Night - Trailer

Fright Night - Trailer

Fright Night, Trailer and Information

Fright Night, Trailer And Information

The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists - Trailer

The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists - Trailer

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David Tennant Film / Movie Reviews

Frightnight2011, Review by RC

This remake of Todd Holland's 1985 schlock horror is more about the comedy than the terror, camping ....

How To Train Your Dragon2010, Review by RC

A winning combination of vivid imagery, snappy writing and a strong narrative lifts this far above ....

Glorious 392009, Review by RC

Telling a story from a rarely examined period of British history, this pre-war drama is a bundle of ....

Bright Young Things2004, Review by RB

'Bright Young Things' is a terribly witty romp through 1930s pre-war London with a pack of idle young ....

Bright Young Things2003, Review by PC

Bright Young Things arrives at an ideal time. Focusing on a group of twentysomething socialites ....

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Comments View All Comments (21)

3rd January 2010   11:13

lauren4david (1)

i LOVED the christmas series, i couldnt bear to look away and miss any of it. dont think he realises that sooo many people will miss him and that soo many of us loved him as the doctor as he made it his own. i cant believe hes gone. i cry about it every time i even think about it. love you David Tennant you will be missed.

1st January 2010   20:50

mathew (1)

david tennant has been the best doctor ever why did he have to go will he come bk into doctor who ?

22nd June 2009   13:58

xxrude_girlxx (1)

i think that david is realy realy fit an he is gooooooooood looking and is buff xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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