Timothy Spall's Real Name: Timothy Spall

Quick answer: The actor is known professionally as Timothy Spall, and sometimes as Tim Spall. Encyclopedia.com gives the full name Timothy Leonard Spall and says he was born February 27, 1957, in Battersea, London, England. The BBC independently dates the birth to 27 February 1957 and says he grew up in South London.

Real name and early life

Independent publishers identify him under the professional name Timothy Spall. Encyclopedia.com lists the full name Timothy Leonard Spall, dates the birth to February 27, 1957, in Battersea, London, England, says his father was a postal worker and his mother a hairdresser, records that he graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and lists later work with the Royal Shakespeare Company around 1979 to 1981, and later work as an associate member of RADA. The BBC independently dates the birth to 27 February 1957, says a teacher encouraged him to go into acting after a school production of The Wizard of Oz, and records that, despite being accepted by RADA, he nearly signed up with the Army instead.

Career highlights

The BBC says he made his name in the 1980s as Barry in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, a part he later returned to when the show was revived in 2002, and lists later work including several Mike Leigh films, Frank Stubbs Promotes, The Street, Mr Harvey Lights a Candle, and Cherished, along with a cameo in Vanilla Sky and an appearance in Rock Star. Encyclopedia.com independently lists Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, the 1996 film Secrets & Lies, later credits including Topsy-Turvy, Our Mutual Friend, Chicken Run, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, a British Comedy Award in 1994 for Outside Edge, and says he was decorated an officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1999. The BBC independently says he was given the OBE on New Year's Eve, 1999. Encyclopaedia Britannica later records appearances in Secrets & Lies (1996), Pierrepoint: The Last Hangman (2005), and Mr. Turner (2014).

Name notes for searchers

People looking up Timothy Spall, Tim Spall, or Timothy Leonard Spall are looking for the same actor, including the television and later film work most often associated with his name. This page uses the public professional name. Search traffic often uses the professional name Timothy Spall in many lookups.