ACTOR
James Bolam
- Known for
- The End of the Affair (1999), New Tricks (2003), The Plague Dogs (1982), The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)
24 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
James Bolam is an actor best known for The End of the Affair, New Tricks and The Plague Dogs.
All facts (24)
- #001
In the series New Tricks, in which both appeared, Susan Jameson — married to James Bolam in real life — played the wife of Brian Lane, the character portrayed by Alun Armstrong.
- #002
James Bolam was appointed MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2009 Queen's Birthday Honours for services to drama.
- #003
James Bolam trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama.
- #004
James Bolam, not Bob Dylan as has been reported, was the real inspiration for Marc Bolan's name.
- #005
While studying drama at the Central School of Dramatic Art, which he left in 1960, James Bolam earned money washing dishes at a London hotel.
- #006
After drama school, James Bolam did repertory in Dundee with Ralph Richardson before moving to London.
- #007
James Bolam's first love is horse racing, and in 1993 he became a part-owner of two horses, including King Credo, who won three top races such as the Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury and the Unique New Yorker. Despite his love of horses, he never rode either of them.
- #008
James Bolam moved from Fulham in London to West Sussex, where he lives.
- #009
James Bolam made his first leading theatre role in The Knack in 1962, appearing alongside Rita Tushingham.
- #010
When James Bolam was 12, his family left the North East and moved to Derby.
- #011
James Bolam's father died when he was young.
- #012
James Bolam appeared in Arnold Wesker's play The Kitchen and in its film adaptation.
- #013
James Bolam has lived in Sussex with his wife, the actress Susan Jameson, since 1977.
- #014
James Bolam was originally cast in the film The Knack… and How to Get It (1965), but Michael Crawford took his place.
- #015
James Bolam was born at Sunderland Maternity Hospital to Marion and Robert Bolam.
- #016
James Bolam made his stage debut in 1959 in The Kitchen at The Royal Court Theatre in London.
- #017
It is widely known that James Bolam is a very private man who rarely gives interviews.
- #018
James Bolam left Sunderland as a child.
- #019
James Bolam was educated at Bede Grammar School.
- #020
James Bolam's parents were Dr James and Marion Scott. After his father died, his mother remarried and lived on Killingworth Drive in High Barnes, near London.
- #021
At the age of 18, James Bolam went to a drama school in London.
- #022
James Bolam's daughter Lucy was born in 1980.
- #023
Sixteen episodes of 'The Likely Lads' were made for radio and broadcast in 1967 and 1968. James Bolam adapted all the programmes based on the original scripts.
- #024
At the age of 18, James Bolam went to a theatre school in London.
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