Tim Roth

Tim Roth
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Name	Tim Roth
Caption	Roth at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival
Birth name	Timothy Simon Roth
Birth date	14 May 1961
Birth place	Dulwich, London, England
Occupation	Actor, director
Years active	1982–present
Spouse	Nikki Butler, 1993

Tim Roth. Timothy Simon Roth is an English actor and director renowned for his intense character portrayals and lengthy collaboration with filmmaker Quentin Tarantino. Emerging from the British independent film scene of the 1980s, he gained international recognition for roles in films such as *Reservoir Dogs*, *Pulp Fiction*, and Rob Roy, the latter earning him an Academy Award nomination. His career spans acclaimed independent cinema, major studio productions, and television, notably his lead role in the series *Lie to Me*.

Early life and education

Born in Dulwich, London, Roth is the son of a painter and a teacher. His early life was marked by his father's involvement with the Communist Party of Great Britain and a period of living in Brixton. He attended Strand School in Tulse Hill but left at age 16, briefly studying sculpture at the Camberwell College of Arts before dropping out to pursue acting. He trained at the Thames Polytechnic drama department and began his career with the Royal Court Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company, performing in productions like *Saved* by Edward Bond.

Career

Roth's film career began with a powerful debut in Mike Leigh's television film *Meantime* (1981). His breakthrough came with Stephen Frears' *The Hit* (1984), which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. He built a reputation in gritty British dramas such as *The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover* and *Vincent & Theo*. His pivotal collaboration with Quentin Tarantino began with the role of Mr. Orange in *Reservoir Dogs* (1992), followed by *Pulp Fiction* (1994). He earned an Academy Award nomination for his performance as Archibald Cunningham in Rob Roy* (1995). Other notable film roles include *Legend of 1900*, The Incredible Hulk*, and Selma*. He made his directorial debut with *The War Zone* (1999), which competed at the Berlin International Film Festival. On television, he starred for three seasons as Dr. Cal Lightman in the Fox series *Lie to Me*.

Personal life

Roth has been married to fashion designer Nikki Butler since 1993. The couple has two sons, one of whom, Hunter Roth, is also an actor. He maintains a private life, splitting his time between residences in Los Angeles and London. In the 1980s, he was in a long-term relationship with actress Lori Baker. Roth is known for his political views, having been a vocal critic of the Iraq War and a supporter of the Labour Party.

Filmography

A selected filmography includes: *Meantime* (1981), *The Hit* (1984), *The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover* (1989), *Vincent & Theo* (1990), *Reservoir Dogs* (1992), *Pulp Fiction* (1994), *Rob Roy* (1995), *Gridlock'd* (1997), *The Legend of 1900* (1998), *The War Zone* (1999, also director), *Planet of the Apes* (2001), *The Incredible Hulk* (2008), *Arbitrage* (2012), *Selma* (2014), *Chronic (film)|Chronic* (2015), *The Hateful Eight* (2015), *Tin Star* (2017-2020), and *She Said* (2022).

Awards and nominations

Roth received an Academy Award nomination for *Rob Roy*. He won a BAFTA Award for *The War Zone* and has received several other BAFTA nominations. He was awarded the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival for his role in *The Legend of 1900*. His work has also been recognized by the Cannes Film Festival, the Berlin International Film Festival, and the National Society of Film Critics.

Public image and legacy

Roth is widely regarded as one of the most versatile and compelling character actors of his generation, often associated with complex, morally ambiguous roles. His collaborations with Quentin Tarantino cemented his status in American independent cinema. Despite his success in Hollywood, he has consistently returned to smaller, challenging projects in the United Kingdom and Europe. His directorial work on *The War Zone* is critically acclaimed for its unflinching portrayal of trauma. Roth's influence is noted in the careers of subsequent British actors known for their intense realism.

Category:English film actors Category:English male television actors Category:1961 births Category:Living people