Dave's Fourth Doctor Page
Played by TOM BAKER 1974-1980, reprised 1993, 1997 (C.D.R.O.M.).
Tom Baker took Doctor Who to the highest ratings it had ever achieved, and stayed for seven years, making him the actor to have played the Doctor for the most episodes. Unable to act, Tom decided instead to perform the part of the Doctor.
He's as mad as a sixpence, and lives in a converted school house next door to a cemetery. I expect that since the first three Doctors have died in the correct order, Tom knows his number is coming up. Indeed, he has purchased a grave stone already in the cemetery and has had Tom Baker 1934 - engraved upon it in readiness. He admires the dead, he says, because they're so uncritical. It is for the same reason that he enjoys the attentions of Doctor Who fans, most of whom seem to think he is God! This is largely due to the length of his tenure and high ratings, but also to the charisma of Tom himself. Even now, nearly eighteen years after Tom last played the role regularly, any cartoon or comedy sketch depiction of the Doctor tends to be based on the Fourth Doctor rather than anyone else.
Tom's performance varied wildly. He managed very well in most of his early episodes, although when the series itself took a comic turn, Tom's Doctor seemed to lose credibility as he hammed it up and mugged to the camera. Nevertheless in his final year in the role he turned about and gave a gritty, serious performance worthy of any of his predecessors.
Tom was my favourite because of his considerable charm. He only had to say something for you to believe it totally.
Tom's long awaited autobiography was to be called 'All Friends Betrayed', but Tom has betrayed us all and written one hilariously titled Who On Earth Is Tom Baker instead. For more information about Tom Baker's life, don't read this book, because it is full of lies, half-truths and jokes. However it is a very enjoyable read and does tell you an awful lot about the man behind the role in spite of Tom's best efforts.
You could also look at: A Tom Baker fan page
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Mail me: dfarmbrough@cix.co.uk.