| John Altman | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 March 1952 (age 59) Reading, Berkshire, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Ethnicity | White British |
| Occupation | Actor, Singer |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Notable works | See below |
| Television | EastEnders |
| Spouse | Bridgitte (m. 1986–1997) (divorced) |
| Children | 1 daughter |
John Altman (born 2 March 1952) is an English actor and singer, perhaps best known for playing "Nasty" Nick Cotton in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders, being among the show's original cast members in 1985 and most recently appearing during 2009. In 2010 he became the new frontman of the band Heavy Metal Kids following the death of former frontman Gary Holton in 1985.
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Altman was born in Reading, Berkshire. He made his acting debut in the 1979 film The First Great Train Robbery where he played a minor role. Later that same year he portrayed musician George Harrison in the biopic TV film Birth of The Beatles. He made brief appearances in several other films including Quadrophenia and An American Werewolf in London. Altman also featured in a 1982 short public information film, "Stupid Git",[1] part of the British government's campaign against drink-driving.
In 1985, he first appeared as Nick Cotton in the new BBC television soap opera EastEnders appearing in the very first episode in February that year. He has been in the show on and off since then, his most recent appearance being in June 2009.
He also appeared in an adult pantomime, which released on video in 1994 titled Pussy in Boots. In the pantomime he appeared alongside fellow EastEnders stars Mike Reid and Barbara Windsor. In 2001 he won the Rear of the Year Award alongside Claire Sweeney.[2] In the same year he also performed in the Leiber and Stoller tribute evening at the Hammersmith Apollo, singing Trouble, originally performed by Elvis Presley.
He has since been more active in theatre and playing small roles in films and occasionally appearing on television. In 2002 he toured around the UK playing Billy Flynn in the long-running musical Chicago. He also appeared in the John Godber written stage play Bouncers opposite fellow soap actor Nigel Pivaro who is best known for playing Terry Duckworth in Coronation Street.[3]
In 2004 he made an appearance in the comedy sketch series Bo' Selecta! as his EastEnders character. In 2006, Altman was set to appear in an upcoming British film called It's Been Real, the trailer can be seen on YouTube.[4] It still has yet to be released in cinemas. John Altman also appeared on the July 18th 2009 episode of Totally Saturday by climbing out of the boot of a car.
In August 2010 he joined a band called Heavy Metal Kids.From late 2010, until early 2011, Altman appeared in adverts for Daz along with actors (Michael Starke and Amanda Barrie), from rival soap opera Coronation Street.
In February 2011, he appeared on Live From Studio Five.
Altman married Brigitte in 1986 and they divorced in 1997. He has one daughter named Rosanna.[5] John Altman moved to Kent as a young child, he attended the Community College, Whitstable, then known as the 'Sir William Nottidge. He returned to his old school on Thursday 22 November at the school's annual awards evening, as the guest speaker.
He is a high profile supporter of the Rose Theatre, Kingston. In 2008, Altman played the part of King Rat in Dick Whittington, a pantomime featured at the Hexagon venue in Reading, Berkshire.
June Brown who plays his on-screen mother Dot Branning, shares a great working relationship with Altman and she campaigned for five years to the producers to bring him back to EastEnders. According to Altman she is like his second mum and she helped him throughout the '90s when he battled alcoholism.
Altman is a patron of the Born Free Foundation and has supported the wildlife charity for many years.
In September 2010, John participated in the Bupa Great Yorkshire Run to raise funds for Alzheimer's Society, Bupa's nominated charity for the 2010 Bupa Great Run Series.
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Photo Shoot | Wayne Wilson | |
| 2006 | The Insane | John Vincent Narration | Short Film |
| 1969 | Matt | Short Film | |
| 2005 | Hell to Pay | Policeman | |
| It Could Be You | Tony Mantana | ||
| 1994 | To Die For | Dogger | |
| 1993 | The Higher Mortals | Mr. Thomas | |
| 1983 | Star Wars: Return of the Jedi | Rebel Pilot | |
| 1982 | Remembrance | Steve | |
| 1981 | Memoirs of a Survivor | Gerald's Courtier | |
| An American Werewolf in London | Assorted Police | ||
| 1979 | Birth of the Beatles | George Harrison | |
| Quadrophenia | John | ||
| The First Great Train Robbery | First Pickpocket |
| Year | TV Show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Live From Studio Five | Himself | 1 episode |
| 2010 | Fern Britton Meets | Himself | 1 episode : June Brown |
| The Wright Stuff | Himself - Guest Panelist | 1 episode: Episode #14.52 | |
| EastEnders: The Murders of Lucas Johnson | Himself | One Off Special Documentarie | |
| Loose Women | Himself | 1 episode: Episode #14.141 | |
| EastEnders: The Greatest Cliffhangers | Himself | 3 episodes | |
| 2007–10 | The Weakest Link | Himself | 2 episodes: Goodies and Baddies/'EastEnders' Special 3 |
| 2009 | The Alan Titchmarsh Show | Himself | 1 episode |
| Hole in the Wall | Himself | 1 episode | |
| Totally Saturday | Himself | 1 episode | |
| The British Soap Awards 2009 | Himself | ||
| The Podge and Rodge Show | Himself | 1 episode | |
| 1985–2009 | EastEnders | Nick Cotton | Series regular, 1985–93, 1998, 2000–01, 2008–09 |
| 2008 | EastEnders: Comebacks | Himself | One Off Special Documentarie |
| GMTV | Himself | 1 episode | |
| EastEnders: Whodunnits | Himself | One Off Special Documentarie | |
| 2007 | No. 1 Soap Fan | Himself | |
| Granada Reports | Himself | 1 episode | |
| Soapstar Superchef | Himself | 2 episodes | |
| 2005 | Balamory | Unknown Role | 1 episode : The Game Show |
| 2004 | 100 Greatest Christmas Moments | Himself | TV documentary |
| Win, Lose or Draw Late | Himself | 2 episodes | |
| Simply the Best | Himself | 1 episode: Episode #1.5 | |
| Celebrity Fear Factor UK | Himself | 1 episode: Episode #1.1 | |
| Bo' Selecta | Nick Cotton | 1 episode: Episode #3.4 | |
| 2003 | EastEnders: Christmas Party | Himself | TV movie |
| Loose Lips | Himself | 1 episode | |
| 2002 | Kelly | Himself | 1 episode |
| Top Ten | Himself | 1 episode: Soap Queens | |
| 2001 | Liquid News | Himself | 1 episode |
| 2000 | EastEnders: The Return of Nick Cotton | Nick Cotton | (TV movie) |
| 1998 | Lenny Goes to Town | Unknown Role | 1 episode : Cambridge |
| 1997 | Adam's Family Tree | Angus the Caveman | 1 episode: I'm the Urban Caveman |
| 1996 | Chef! | Pianist | 1 episode : Lessons in Talking |
| The Famous Five | Simmy | 1 episode: Five Fall into Adventure | |
| Cold Lazarus | Restaurant Policeman | 1 episode: Episode #1.1 | |
| 1995–96 | Blackhearts in Battersea | Midwink | 6 episodes |
| 1994 | Pussy in Boots | The Wicked Giant | TV: Mike Reid Live |
| 1992 | Noel's House Party | Unknown Role | 1 episode: Episode #1.13 |
| 1991 | The Ghosts of Oxford Street | Thomas De Quincey | TV |
| The Adventures of Scragtag and Toddles, Ace Detectives | Unknown Role | TV series | |
| 1990 | The Paradise Club | Eddie | 1 episode: Rock and Roll Roulette |
| 1984 | Minder | Cabbie | 1 episode: The Car Lot Baggers |
| 1983 | Pictures | Lance Repton | 1 episode: Episode #1.1 |
| 1982 | The New Adventures of Lucky Jim | Vic Slater | 1 episode: The Apartment |
| Play for Today | Young man on tube | 1 episode: Life After Death |