John Simm

John Ronald Simm (born 10 July 1970) is an English stage and screen actor. He has been nominated twice for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor, and is a Laurence Olivier Award nominee for best actor. His Television credits include: Life on Mars, State of Play, The Lakes, Doctor Who, Crime and Punishment, Exile, Prey and Cracker. His films include Wonderland, Everyday, Boston Kickout, Human Traffic, and 24 Hour Party People. 2Early life The eldest of three children, Simm grew up in a series of places around North West England, including Blackpool, Burnley, Nelson, Colne, and Manchester. He attended Edge End High School, where he was inspired by drama teacher Brian Wellock. His father, Ronald, a Mancunian, was a musician; and from the age of twelve, John sang and played guitar with his father on stage in the working men's clubs. In 1986, Simm enrolled at Blackpool and the Fylde College in Lytham St. Annes for three years, and starred in Guys and Dolls and West Side Story at Blackpool's Grand Theatre. However, he soon decided that musical theatre didn't interest him, so he joined an amateur dramatic group and honed his skills in his spare time, playing the title roles in Billy Liar and Amadeu