Martin Herdman - Second row
Wales RLHeritage No | 328 |
Date Of Birth | 24/07/1956 |
Place Of Birth | London |
Height | 188 |
Weight | 111 |
Clubs | Fulham, Leigh Leopards |
Honours | Wales RL |
Martin Herdman is the only Shakespearean actor to have represented a country in two professional sports, having won the title of Heavyweight Boxing Champion of London in 1979 before being drafted into the 1980 Olympic squad. Following this, he turned to professional rugby league with Fulham, also playing on loan at Leigh, and won his three Wales rugby league caps. He also gave American Football a go, and tried out as a running back for Kansas City Chiefs in 1984, but was cut from their roster before the NFL season started.
Then in the early 1990s, he turned to acting, with success. Following an appearance in "Fool's Gold" on ITV in 1993, he's now been on stage and screen for 30 years, including extended guest appearances in Coronation Street, Soldier Soldier, Family Affairs, Bramwell and The Bill. Additionally he's been in episodes of Waking the Dead, My Family, The Katherine Tate Show, Class of 76, Holby City, The Gill Mayo Murders, Hotel Babylon, Max And Paddies Road To Nowhere, Rose And Maloney, The Grid, Grass and Midsomer Murders. In 2018, he also won Best Actor for his portrayal of Mike in the BAFTA nominated film Rite. He also appeared as Slim Biggins, a tough New York gangster, in Guy Ritchie’s Revolver. Martin also has extensive stage experience including performing at Shakespeare's Globe in As You Like It, as Bottom in Midsummer Night's Dream at Nottingham Playhouse, as Lepidus in Anthony and Cleopatra at Liverpool Playhouse & Chichester Festival Theatre, as Sing Song in Car Thieves at Birmingham Rep and as One Round in the Ladykillers National Tour. He plays rhythm guitar and toured as the lead singer in a Blues Band. He also survived on the circuit as a stand up comedian for three years. His son Joshua, also became an actor and starred as "Goyle" in every Harry Potter film.
Then in the early 1990s, he turned to acting, with success. Following an appearance in "Fool's Gold" on ITV in 1993, he's now been on stage and screen for 30 years, including extended guest appearances in Coronation Street, Soldier Soldier, Family Affairs, Bramwell and The Bill. Additionally he's been in episodes of Waking the Dead, My Family, The Katherine Tate Show, Class of 76, Holby City, The Gill Mayo Murders, Hotel Babylon, Max And Paddies Road To Nowhere, Rose And Maloney, The Grid, Grass and Midsomer Murders. In 2018, he also won Best Actor for his portrayal of Mike in the BAFTA nominated film Rite. He also appeared as Slim Biggins, a tough New York gangster, in Guy Ritchie’s Revolver. Martin also has extensive stage experience including performing at Shakespeare's Globe in As You Like It, as Bottom in Midsummer Night's Dream at Nottingham Playhouse, as Lepidus in Anthony and Cleopatra at Liverpool Playhouse & Chichester Festival Theatre, as Sing Song in Car Thieves at Birmingham Rep and as One Round in the Ladykillers National Tour. He plays rhythm guitar and toured as the lead singer in a Blues Band. He also survived on the circuit as a stand up comedian for three years. His son Joshua, also became an actor and starred as "Goyle" in every Harry Potter film.
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