View source for Tom Baker

{{Short description|English actor (born 1934)}}
{{Other people|Tom Baker}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Tom Baker
| honorific_suffix   = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MBE}}
| image              = LonelyEnbyx with Tom Baker (cropped and edited).jpg
| caption            = Baker in 2023
| birth_name         = Thomas Stewart Baker
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1934|1|20|df=y}}
| birth_place        = [[Liverpool]], England
| alma_mater         = [[Rose Bruford College]]
| known_for          = [[Fourth Doctor|Fourth incarnation]] of [[the Doctor]] in ''[[Doctor Who]]''
| occupation         = {{hlist|Actor|writer}}
| years_active       = 1956–present
| spouse             = {{unbulleted list
| {{marriage|Anna Wheatcroft|1961|1966|end=sep}}
| {{marriage|[[Lalla Ward]]|December 1980|April 1982|end=divorced}}
| {{marriage|Sue Jerrard|1 April 1986}}
}}
| children           = 2
| signature          = Tom Baker signature.svg
| website            = {{URL|tombakerofficial.com}}
}}

'''Thomas Stewart Baker''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|MBE}} (born 20 January 1934) is an English actor and writer. He is best known for playing the [[Fourth Doctor|fourth]] incarnation of [[The Doctor (Doctor Who)|the Doctor]] in the [[BBC]] [[science fiction]] series ''[[Doctor Who]]'' from 1974 to 1981, making him the longest-serving actor in the role.

Raised devoutly [[Catholic]] in [[Liverpool]], Baker initially sought to become a cleric before turning to acting. He joined the [[Royal National Theatre|National Theatre]] company in 1968. Following supporting roles in films such as ''[[Nicholas and Alexandra]]'' (1971) and ''[[The Golden Voyage of Sinbad]]'' (1973), he was working part-time on a building site when he was cast as the lead in ''Doctor Who'' (1974–1981). Baker, who incorporated his own personality into the Doctor, became highly popular with audiences both in the UK and abroad; his portrayal is often considered the best and most quintessential of the programme's [[List of Doctor Who episodes (1963–1989)|classic series]].{{efn|Attributed to multiple sources<ref>{{Cite news |last=Belam |first=Martin |date=2024-05-03 |title=The greatest Doctor Who – ranked! |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/article/2024/may/03/the-greatest-doctor-who-ranked |access-date=2025-10-25 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>{{sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=4}}<ref name="lyons" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jessop |first=Vicky |last2=Davies |first2=Rachael |date=2025-06-02 |title=Who did it best? Doctor Who’s greatest Doctors, ranked |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/doctor-who-best-doctors-ranked-david-tennant-matt-smith-b1120320.html |access-date=2025-10-25 |website=The Standard |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Richard |date=2025-05-29 |title=Who is the best Doctor? Every 'Doctor Who' ranked |url=https://www.space.com/entertainment/space-movies-shows/who-is-the-best-doctor-every-doctor-who-ranked |access-date=2025-10-25 |website=Space |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhowmik |first=Ananyaa |date=2025-05-07 |title=Doctor Who: 5 Episodes That Prove Tom Baker Is the Best Doctor |url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/doctor-who-best-episodes-tom-baker/ |access-date=2025-10-25 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Collis |first=Clark |date=5 December 2023 |title=14 faces of 'Doctor Who' |url=https://ew.com/gallery/11-faces-doctor-who-0/ |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=EW.com |language=en}}</ref>}}

Baker appeared in the television series ''[[Medics (British TV series)|Medics]]'' (1992–1995), ''[[Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) (2000 TV series)|Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)]]'' (2000–2001) and ''[[Monarch of the Glen (TV series)|Monarch of the Glen]]'' (2004–2005). He moved into voice acting later in his career, providing narration for the comedy series ''[[Little Britain (TV series)|Little Britain]]'' (2003–2006) and ''[[Little Britain USA]]'' (2008). In 2006, his "sonorous" voice was voted the fourth-most recognisable in the UK.

== Early life ==
Thomas Stewart Baker was born in the [[Scotland Road]] area of [[Liverpool]] on 20 January 1934. Both of his parents were born and raised in Liverpool. His mother, Mary Jane (''née'' Fleming),<ref name=":4" /><ref name=findmypast>{{Cite web |last=Goddard |first=Daisy |date=3 January 2024 |title=Doctor Who season 14: digging into the new Doctor's family tree and more |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/blog/discoveries/doctor-who-family-trees |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250315202234/https://www.findmypast.co.uk/blog/discoveries/doctor-who-family-trees |archive-date=15 March 2025 |access-date=16 November 2025 |website=Find My Past}}</ref> was a barmaid and cleaner. His father, John Stewart Baker,{{efn|In a 1971 interview, Baker stated that his father was [[Jewish]].<ref name=":2"/>}} was a steward in the [[Merchant Navy (United Kingdom)|Merchant Navy]] largely absent from the family due to being away at sea.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=BAKER, (Thomas Stewart) 'Tom' [b. 1934] |url=https://www.liverpoolfootprint.co.uk/baker-tom |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226040206/https://www.liverpoolfootprint.co.uk/baker-tom |archive-date=26 February 2024 |access-date=2025-08-30 |website=Liverpool Footprints |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":22">{{cite book |last1=Cabell |first1=Craig |title=The Doctors Who's Who - The Story Behind Every Face of the Iconic Time Lord: Celebrating its 50th Year |date=2011 |publisher=Kings Road Publishing |isbn=978-1843585763 |location=London |page= |chapter=Chapter 5 |quote=Thomas Stewart Baker was born in Scotland Road, Liverpool, on 20 January 1934 to a Jewish father (John Stewart Baker) and a Catholic mother (Mary Jane). Being in the Navy, Baker's father was hardly home, but he did instill his Jewish values in his son, while his mother brought him up a staunch working-class Catholic. No wonder then that he left school at 15 to become a monk and live a monastic life for six years... After losing his faith, he left the order... |access-date=20 May 2020 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4yCtDwAAQBAJ&q=%22john+stewart+baker%22+tom&pg=PT70}}</ref><ref name="early">{{Cite web |date=30 April 2025 |title=Early Years |url=https://www.tombakerofficial.com/biography/early-years/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250603194121/https://www.tombakerofficial.com/biography/early-years/ |archive-date=3 June 2025 |access-date=2025-08-19 |website=Tom Baker Official |language=en-GB}}</ref> Baker was raised by his mother as a devout [[Catholic]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Setchfield |first=Nick |date=2018-07-10 |title="I am basically ridiculous" - Tom Baker talks Doctor Who, Jodie Whittaker, and the origins of that famously long scarf |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/i-am-basically-ridiculous-tom-baker-talks-doctor-who-jodie-whittaker-and-the-origins-of-that-famously-long-scarf/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713235948/https://www.gamesradar.com/i-am-basically-ridiculous-tom-baker-talks-doctor-who-jodie-whittaker-and-the-origins-of-that-famously-long-scarf/ |archive-date=13 July 2018 |access-date=2025-10-19 |website=GamesRadar+ |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2" />

Baker attended St Swithin’s Primary School.<ref name=":4" /> He failed his [[eleven-plus]] and subsequently sought a religious career as "a way out" of becoming a [[Laborer|labourer]].<ref name=":3">{{cite interview |last=Baker |first=Tom |interviewer=[[Mark Gatiss]] |title=Tom Baker interviewed by Mark Gatiss |url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/features/interviews/baker.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605215023/http://www.bfi.org.uk/features/interviews/baker.html |archive-date=5 June 2011 |url-status=dead |publisher=British Film Institute |date=29 September 2001}}</ref><ref name="NH">{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Laurie |author-link=Laurie Taylor (sociologist) |date=2007-05-31 |title=Alehouse rock: Laurie Taylor interviews Tom Baker |url=https://newhumanist.org.uk/865/alehouse-rock-laurie-taylor-interviews-tom-baker |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116004139/https://newhumanist.org.uk/865/alehouse-rock-laurie-taylor-interviews-tom-baker |archive-date=16 November 2011 |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=New Humanist |language=en-GB}}</ref> At 15 years old, he became a novice [[religious brother]] with the [[Brothers of Christian Instruction|Brothers of Ploermel]] in [[Jersey]] and later in [[Cheswardine|Cheswardine Hall]], [[Shropshire]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Personal photos |url=https://www.tombakerofficial.com/personal-photos/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250603194241/https://www.tombakerofficial.com/personal-photos/ |archive-date=3 June 2025 |access-date=2025-08-30 |website=Tom Baker Official |language=en-GB |quote=This is where Tom started life as a novice monk with the De la Mennais Brothers in Jersey. It is now Highlands College... Tom spent his later years as a monk here at Cheswardine Hall in Market Drayton, Shropshire.}}</ref>{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=50}} He left the monastery six years later<ref name=":22" />{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=50}} due to feelings of guilt<ref name=":2">{{Cite magazine |last=Ehrlich |first=Henry |date=19 October 1971 |title=Tom Baker: As the monk Rasputin, he sets the film "Nicholas and Alexandra" afire with evil excitement |url=https://cuttingsarchive.org/images/b/bf/1971-10-19_Look.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608205454/https://cuttingsarchive.org/images/b/bf/1971-10-19_Look.pdf |archive-date=8 June 2024 |magazine=LOOK |pages=60–62 |quote=}}</ref> and ultimately losing his faith in God.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeffery |first=Morgan |date=20 August 2021 |title=Tom Baker: 'I didn't know what to do with Doctor Who' |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/tom-baker-doctor-who-big-finish-exclusive/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250908182436/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/tom-baker-doctor-who-big-finish-exclusive/ |archive-date=8 September 2025 |access-date=2025-10-25 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":22" />

He undertook his [[National Service#Peacetime service|national service]] as a medical orderly in the [[Royal Army Medical Corps]],{{Sfn|McGown||loc=1st paragraph}}<ref name=":4" /> serving for two years.<ref name="early" /> He developed an interest in acting by taking part in the medical corps’ amateur dramatics.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |date=30 April 2025 |title=Early Career |url=https://www.tombakerofficial.com/biography/early-career/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250416173333/https://www.tombakerofficial.com/biography/early-career/ |archive-date=16 April 2025 |access-date=2025-08-30 |website=Tom Baker Official |language=en-GB}}</ref>{{Sfn|McGown||loc=1st paragraph}} He left the army in 1956 and took up acting, studying at the [[Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama]] in [[Sidcup]] for three years.{{Sfn|McGown||loc=2nd paragraph}}{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=50}}

== Career ==

=== 1968–1973: Early work ===
Baker was in his thirties when his professional acting career began and he worked in provincial [[repertory theatre]], which he later recalled as "mostly flops or even disasters".{{Sfn|McGown||loc=3rd paragraph}}{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=50}} His first acting role was as [[The Winter's Tale#The bear|the bear]] in ''[[The Winter's Tale|The Winter’s Tale]]'' at Assembly Hall, [[Edinburgh]], in 1966.<ref name=":9" /><ref>{{cite web |title=The Winter’s Tale |url=https://theatricalia.com/play/1v/the-winters-tale/production/wgj |access-date=16 November 2025 |website=Theatricalia}}</ref> Baker had his first break whilst performing in a late-night pub revue for the 1968 York Festival. His performance was seen by a scout with the [[Royal National Theatre]] who encouraged him to audition for the company. Following a successful audition for [[Laurence Olivier]], Baker was given small parts and understudied.{{Sfn|McGown||loc=3rd paragraph}}{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=50}} One of his bigger roles was the horse [[Rocinante]]{{Sfn|McGown||loc=3rd paragraph}} in ''The Travails of Sancho Panza'', directed by [[Joan Plowright]]. This led Olivier to cast Baker as the Prince of Morocco in ''[[The Merchant of Venice]].''<ref name=":10" /> Other productions included ''[[The National Health (play)|The National Health]]'' and ''[[A Woman Killed with Kindness]]''.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=50}}

His stage work led to work on television, where he gained small parts in series such as ''[[Dixon of Dock Green]]'', ''[[Z-Cars]]'', ''[[Market in Honey Lane]]'' and ''[[Softly, Softly (TV series)|Softly, Softly]]''.{{sfn|McGown|loc=3rd paragraph}} He played Dr Ahmed el Kabir in the BBC’s 1972 ''[[Play of the Month]]'' production of ''[[The Millionairess (play)|The Millionairess]]'', directed by Bill Slater and starring [[Maggie Smith]].<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Evenden |first=Matt |date=2025-04-30 |title=The National Theatre and beyond |url=https://www.tombakerofficial.com/biography/the-national-theatre-and-beyond/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250419141916/https://www.tombakerofficial.com/biography/the-national-theatre-and-beyond/ |archive-date=19 April 2025 |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=Tom Baker Official |language=en-GB}}</ref>{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=51}} Baker's National Theatre contract ended in 1971.{{sfn|McGown|loc=4th paragraph}}{{sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=50}} He continued to appear in theatre productions, with a role in ''The Novelist'' at [[Hampstead]] and as the lead in ''[[Macbeth]]'' at the [[Shaw Theatre]], London.{{sfn|Ainsworth|2015|pp=24, 50}} Due to Baker's role as a Russian in ''The Idiot'', Olivier suggested Baker to [[Sam Spiegel]] for the part of [[Grigori Rasputin]] in ''[[Nicholas and Alexandra]]'' (1971), his first major film role.<ref name=":10" />{{sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=50}} He was nominated for two [[Golden Globes|Golden Globe Awards]] for his performance, one for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and another for Best Newcomer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tom Baker |url=https://goldenglobes.com/person/tom-baker/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250426053724/https://goldenglobes.com/person/tom-baker/ |archive-date=26 April 2025 |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=Golden Globes |language=en-US}}</ref> Baker appeared as a tortured artist in ''[[The Vault of Horror (film)|The Vault of Horror]]'' (1973) and as the villainous sorcerer Koura in Ray Harryhausen's ''[[The Golden Voyage of Sinbad]]'' (1973). He also appeared in [[Pier Paolo Pasolini]]'s [[The Canterbury Tales (film)|1972 film version]] of [[Geoffrey Chaucer]]'s ''[[The Canterbury Tales]].''<ref name=":15">{{cite web |last=Westthorp |first=Alex |date=9 April 2014 |title=Doctor Who: the film careers of Patrick Troughton & Tom Baker |url=http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who/30040/doctor-who-the-film-careers-of-patrick-troughton-tom-baker |access-date=27 December 2016 |work=Den of Geek}}</ref>

=== 1974–1981: ''Doctor Who'' ===

[[File:Tom Baker, Whovent 1986.jpg|thumb|Baker at Whovent '86 in [[Washington, D.C.]]]]

Baker worked on a building site between acting jobs, which earned him the nickname "Sir Laurence" from his workmates.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=31 December 2019 |title=Casting the Doctor |url=https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/features/casting-doctor |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251107065627/https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/features/casting-the-doctor |archive-date=7 November 2025 |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=National Galleries of Scotland |language=en}}</ref> He had expected to work on three films in 1974 (''Isabella of Spain'', ''Three Men Went to War'' and ''Jackson's War''), but they had all collapsed by late 1973.{{sfn|Ainsworth|2015|pp=24, 50}} Anxious at his career prospects,<ref name=":7">{{Cite journal |date=May 1983 |title=Tom Baker Interview (Part Two) |url=https://www.eyeofhorus.org.uk/content/editorial/interviews/baker-2.html |url-status=live |journal=Eye of Horus |issue=2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216055013/https://www.eyeofhorus.org.uk/content/editorial/interviews/baker-2.html |archive-date=16 February 2017 |access-date=11 September 2025}}</ref> on 3 February 1974 he wrote a letter to ''The Millionairess'' director Bill Slater (incoming BBC Head of Serials) asking for acting work. Slater recommended Baker to ''[[Doctor Who]]'' producer [[Barry Letts]], who was seeking a successor to [[Third Doctor]] actor [[Jon Pertwee]].<ref name=":6" />{{sfn|Ainsworth|2015|pp=24–25, 51}} Letts and script editor [[Terrance Dicks]] were impressed by Baker's performance in ''The Golden Voyage of Sinbad,'' and following a meeting with Baker in the BBC bar, the actor was quickly cast as the [[Fourth Doctor]].{{sfn|Ainsworth|2015|pp=25, 51}} Baker's casting was announced to the press on 15 February; he made his first appearance as the Doctor in the closing moments of ''[[Planet of the Spiders]]'' on 8 June.<ref>{{cite journal |year=2017 |editor-last=Wright |editor-first=Mark |title=Invasion of the Dinosaurs, Death to the Daleks and Planet of the Spiders |journal=Doctor Who: The Complete History |location=London |publisher=[[Panini Comics]], [[Hachette Book Group|Hachette Partworks]] |volume=21 |issue= |pages= |issn=2057-6048}}</ref> Baker's casting resulted in a wave of new acting offers. Even before recording his first season as the Doctor, he was cast in the television film ''[[The Author of Beltraffio]]'' (1974), directed by [[Tony Scott]].<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last=Evenden |first=Matt |date=2025-04-30 |title=Established career |url=https://www.tombakerofficial.com/biography/established-career/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250603194151/http://www.tombakerofficial.com/biography/established-career/ |archive-date=3 June 2025 |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=Tom Baker Official |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dowell |first=Ben |date=31 March 2017 |title=Watch former Doctor Who star Tom Baker in newly-discovered 1974 drama |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/watch-former-doctor-who-star-tom-baker-in-newly-discovered-1974-drama/ |access-date=2025-09-15 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}}</ref> The same year he played the title role in ''The Trials of Oscar Wilde'' at the Oxford Festival.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Turnbull|first=Sue|date=2009-07-25 |title=When the plot's a little too thick |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/when-the-plots-a-little-too-thick-20090725-gdtnfx.html |access-date=2025-09-15 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref>

Although Baker had little idea of how he would play his version of the Doctor when cast,<ref name="digital spy">{{cite web |last=Jeffery |first=Morgan |date=15 April 2014 |title=Tom Baker remembers classic Doctor Who: "Probably I stayed on too long" |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a564726/tom-baker-remembers-classic-doctor-who-probably-i-stayed-on-too-long/ |access-date=20 August 2015 |work=Digital Spy}}</ref><ref name=":7" /> he quickly made the part his own, highlighting the character's eccentricity and alien qualities.<ref name=sladen>{{Cite book |last=Sladen |first=Elisabeth |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mCzBAgAAQBAJ&q=michael+wisher+character+actor&pg=PT170 |title=Elisabeth Sladen: The Autobiography |date=2011-11-07 |publisher=Aurum |isbn=978-1-84513-685-7 |language=en |quote=They were going for something a bit more eccentric... more alien, if you like...}}</ref>{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=52}} Baker incorporated much of his own personality into the Doctor's{{sfn|Baker|2010|loc=9:16|ps=. "My Doctor Who was entirely Tom. It was just Tom. I wasn't acting. It just fell into my lap you know, and they said how are you going to do it? And I said I don't know. And I started saying the lines and the children loved it... I thought hey, so who wants to act? I can be Tom. They're loving Tom..."}}<ref>"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykl1gxEJDrc Tom Baker Interview]." ''BBC News.'' BBC. London, 23 November 2013. Television. "I thought... this guy seems a little bit like Tom Baker, and so I played it like Tom Baker..."</ref><ref name="lyons" /> and frequently made comedic scripting suggestions and [[Ad libitum|ad-libs]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Season 15 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/season15.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061101081514/https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/season15.shtml |archive-date=1 November 2006 |access-date=16 August 2020 |work=[[BBC Online]]}}</ref> His [[trademark look]] of wearing a floppy hat and long multi-coloured scarf, as well as his deep voice, made him an immediately recognisable figure.{{sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=4}}<ref name="Masters">{{cite news |last=Masters |first=Tim |date=4 November 2013 |title=Tom Baker on Doctor Who: 'It was so much better than real life' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24657064 |access-date=20 August 2015 |work=BBC News}}</ref> Audience-viewing figures for his first few years returned to a level not seen since the height of "Dalekmania" a decade earlier.{{sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=4}}<ref name="lyons">{{cite web |last=Lyons |first=Kevin |date=17 April 2013 |title=Tom Baker: the definitive Doctor Who? |url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/features/tom-baker-definitive-doctor-who |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250517115339/https://www.bfi.org.uk/features/tom-baker-definitive-doctor-who |archive-date=17 May 2025 |access-date= |work=BFI}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Plunkett |first=John |date=31 March 2005 |title=Fans from 70s keep Doctor's appointment |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/mar/31/broadcasting.bbc2 |access-date=26 December 2022 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> Baker relished his status as a children's hero,<ref name=":3" /> preferring to be the Doctor than to return to his "tangled" private life.<ref>{{Cite interview |last=Baker |first=Tom |interviewer=Justin Johnson |title=Doctor Who: Robots of Death Event |last2=Jameson |first2=Louise |last3=Hinchcliffe |first3=Philip |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcSmIwqhrAU |access-date=19 October 2025 |publisher=BFI |date=20 April 2013}}</ref> He avoided smoking or swearing in public out of awareness that the Doctor was  considered a role model for children.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Marson |first=Richard |date=September 1984 |title=Tom Baker Interview |url=https://archive.org/details/doctor_who_magazine_archive/DWMx092%2009%3A1984 |journal=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] |issue=92 |pages=20–24}}</ref>

{{Quote box
| quote = "When I was doing ''Doctor Who'', it was the realisation of all my childhood fantasies... so I took to it like a duck to water, and I still do. ''Doctor Who'' was more important than life to me - I used to dread the end of rehearsal... that's why I can't stay away from it."<ref name="shadas"/>
| source = —Baker in 2017
| align = 
| width = 25%
| quoted = 
}}

Under new producer [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] and script editor [[Robert Holmes (scriptwriter)|Robert Holmes]], the series gained a gothic tone influenced by [[Hammer Film Productions|Hammer Horror]] films and was aimed "a bit more to the adults in the audience".<ref>{{cite web |last=Jeffery |first=Morgan |date=25 June 2018 |title=Doctor Who's former producer Philip Hinchcliffe reveals his plans for 'lost' season of Tom Baker stories |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/cult/a860236/doctor-who-lost-stories-tom-baker-season-15/ |access-date=16 August 2020 |work=Digital Spy}}</ref> Many of the stories from Baker's early seasons are considered classics, such as ''[[The Ark in Space]]'' (1975), ''[[Genesis of the Daleks]]'' (1975), ''[[The Brain of Morbius]]'' (1976), ''[[The Deadly Assassin]]'' (1976) and ''[[The Robots of Death]]'' (1977).<ref name="Masters" /><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Burk |first1=Graeme |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CC8uCQAAQBAJ&dq=tom+baker+autobiography&pg=PT94 |title=The Doctors Are In: The Essential and Unofficial Guide to Doctor Who's Greatest Time Lord |last2=Smith |first2=Robert |date=2018-09-01 |publisher=ECW/ORIM |isbn=978-1-77090-782-9 |language=en}}</ref> Baker has named Hinchcliffe's tenure as his favourite period of the series,<ref name="digital spy" /> but the series' violent tone came under heavy criticism from conservative activist [[Mary Whitehouse]].<ref name="lyons" /> Hinchcliffe was replaced by [[Graham Williams (television producer)|Graham Williams]],<ref>{{cite web |date=24 September 2014 |title=Doctor Who Classic Episode Guide – Season 14 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/season14.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250918132524/https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/season14.shtml |archive-date=18 September 2025 |access-date=5 October 2015 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> and the series' tone was lightened.<ref>{{cite web |last=Clark |first=Anthony |title=Doctor Who (1963–89, 2005–) |url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/454592/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130152830/http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/454592/ |archive-date=30 January 2025 |access-date=22 August 2015 |work=BFI Screenonline}}</ref> Williams attempted to rein Baker in, but he was ultimately forced to accept the actor's growing influence over the programme.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeffery |first=Morgan |date=20 August 2021 |title=Tom Baker: 'I got Doctor Who right out of the blue – and I didn't know what to do with it' |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/tom-baker-doctor-who-big-finish-exclusive/ |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=[[Radio Times]] |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Baker played the Doctor for seven consecutive seasons, making him the longest-serving actor in the part. His incarnation is often regarded as the most popular and quintessential of the Doctors.{{sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=4}} In polls conducted by ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]'', Baker was voted "Best Doctor" every year up to 2013, with the exception of losing to incumbents [[Sylvester McCoy]] in 1990 and [[David Tennant]] in 2006 and 2009.<ref name="best">{{cite news |date=6 December 2006 |title=David Tennant named 'best Dr Who' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6211584.stm |access-date=25 February 2007 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref name="lyons" /> Baker's tenure corresponded with ''Doctor Who''<nowiki/>'s first broadcasts in the United States, further cementing his popularity among international viewers.<ref name="lyons" /><ref name=":12">{{Cite magazine |date=4 August 2009|last=Lewinski |first=John Scott |title=Tom Baker Back in Studio for Doctor Who Audiobooks |url=https://www.wired.com/2009/08/tom-baker-back-in-studio-for-doctor-who-audiobooks/ |access-date=2025-09-11 |magazine=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028}}</ref> He also became proprietorial over the role of the Doctor and often berated writers and directors whose work he disliked.{{Sfn|McGown||loc=9th paragraph}}<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2zPfRKQkKg "A Matter of Time"]. ''The Ribos Operation''. 2007. DVD.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Graham-Lowery |first=Nathan |date=2024-12-20 |title="I Was A Madman To Give It Up": Fan-Favorite Doctor Who Star Reflects On Departing As The Time Lord |url=https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-4th-doctor-exit-tom-baker-reflection/ |access-date=2025-11-08 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref>{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=54}} In 1980, new producer [[John Nathan-Turner]] introduced noticeable changes to the series,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Fowler |first=William |date=November 2019 |title=The NATHAN-TURNER Years |url=https://pocketmags.com/de/doctor-who-magazine/543/articles/the-nathan-turner-years |journal=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] |volume=543 |access-date=2025-09-11}}</ref> including a new costume for Baker and a larger cast of companions. Baker found Nathan-Turner's approach to the series "unbearable" and decided it was time to depart the role.<ref name="digital spy" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeffery |first=Morgan |date=30 June 2018 |title=Tom Baker says he was "diminished" by Doctor Who producer who caused him to quit |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/doctor-who/news/a860590/tom-baker-doctor-who-john-nathan-turner-feud/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110223027/http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/doctor-who/news/a860590/tom-baker-doctor-who-john-nathan-turner-feud/ |archive-date=10 November 2018 |access-date=11 September 2025 |website=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref> He said in 2014 that he may have stayed in the role for one season too long.<ref name="digital spy" /> Baker announced his departure on 24 October 1980.{{sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=54}} ''[[Logopolis]]'' (1981), the seventh and final serial of [[Doctor Who season 18|season 18]], concluded with the Fourth Doctor's [[Regeneration (Doctor Who)|regeneration]] into the [[Fifth Doctor]], played by [[Peter Davison]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mulkern |first=Patrick |date=6 May 2011 |title=Logopolis ★★★★ |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-guide/logopolis/ |access-date=2025-08-19 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==== Subsequent appearances ====
[[File:Tombaker1991london.jpg|thumb|Baker and a [[Dalek]] in [[Trafalgar Square]], 1991]]Although his predecessors [[Patrick Troughton]] and Jon Pertwee reprised their roles for the 20th-anniversary episode "[[The Five Doctors]]" (1983), Baker declined as it was not long since he had left. He added that he "didn't want to play 20 per cent of the part" or "fancy being a feed for other Doctors."<ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Paul |date=14 April 2014 |title=Tom Baker: I'd do more Doctor Who |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-04-14/tom-baker-id-do-more-doctor-who/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614052431/https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-04-14/tom-baker-id-do-more-doctor-who/ |archive-date=14 June 2018 |access-date=16 August 2020 |work=Radio Times}}</ref> A year later he stated "the programme is my past now - it would, I think, have been a mistake to try to turn the clock back".{{sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=55}} In 1992 Baker presented the video release ''The Tom Baker Years'', where he looked back on the series by watching short clips from his episodes.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40-IxKNmokw |title=Doctor Who: The Tom Baker Years - Introduction |date= |last= |access-date=2025-08-30 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Nathan-Turner |first=John |author-link=John Nathan-Turner |date=16 February 1994 |title=I Am What I Am... |url=https://archive.org/details/doctor-who-magazine-200-299/Doctor%20Who%20Magazine%20%23249/page/n1/mode/2up?q=dimensions |magazine=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] |publisher=Marvel Comics UK Ltd. |pages=14–19 |issue=249}}</ref> Baker also filmed inserts for the 1992 video release of ''[[Shada (Doctor Who)|Shada]]'',<ref name=":5">{{Cite magazine |date=January 2012 |year= |editor-last=Bignell |editor-first=Richard |title=Illuminating The Dark Dimension |magazine=Nothing at the End of the Lane |pages=87–115 |publication-date= |volume=3}}</ref> a serial which remained half-filmed due to a 1979 BBC strike.<ref name="Southall">{{cite magazine |last1=Southall |first1=J. R. |date=12 September 2011 |editor-last=Jordan |editor-first=Royce |title=Doctor Who and the Shada Man |url=http://www.starburstmagazine.com/features/feature-articles/915-doctor-who-and-the-shada-man |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103184356/http://www.starburstmagazine.com/features/feature-articles/915-doctor-who-and-the-shada-man |archive-date=3 January 2012 |access-date=1 April 2012 |magazine=[[Starburst (magazine)|Starburst Magazine]] |location=London, England |issn=0955-114X |oclc=79615651 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="shadas">{{cite web |last=Jeffery |first=Morgan |date=24 November 2017 |title=Tom Baker is back playing Doctor Who (in live action) for the first time in almost 40 years |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/cult/a843776/doctor-who-shada-tom-baker-new-scene/ |access-date=16 August 2020 |work=Digital Spy}}</ref>

In early 1992, Baker expressed willingness to return to the role of the Doctor. Development began on ''[[List of unmade Doctor Who serials and films#Lost in the Dark Dimension|The Dark Dimension]]'', a [[direct-to-video]] 30th anniversary special featuring Baker as an older version of the Fourth Doctor who had not regenerated. However it was cancelled on 9 July 1993 for financial and logistical reasons.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":72">{{Cite magazine |last=Preddle |first=Jon |date=June 1995 |title=Inside The Dark Dimension |url=https://doctorwho.org.nz/archive/tsv44/darkdimension.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111112123/https://doctorwho.org.nz/archive/tsv44/darkdimension.html |archive-date=11 January 2025 |magazine=Time/Space Visualiser}}</ref> Baker returned to the role for the ''[[Children in Need]]'' charity special ''[[Dimensions in Time]]'' (1993), along with every surviving actor who played the Doctor.<ref name=":52">{{Cite web |last=Griffin |first=Louise |date=25 February 2024 |title=Samuel West on replacing Ian McKellen in Doctor Who charity special |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-samuel-west-ian-mckellen-dimensions-in-time-exclusive-newsupdate/ |access-date=2025-11-02 |website=[[Radio Times]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> In 1997 he reprised the role in an advertising campaign for New Zealand Superannuation Services,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Scoones |first=Paul |date=February 1997 |editor-last=Scoones |editor-first=Paul |editor2-last=Withers |editor2-first=Nicholas |title='Time is Everything' - The Doctor Who Commercials |url=https://doctorwho.org.nz/archive/tsv50/timeiseverything.html |journal=Time/Space Visualiser |issue=50}}</ref> and for the ''Doctor Who'' [[video game]] ''[[Doctor Who: Destiny of the Doctors|Destiny of the Doctors]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 June 2012 |orig-date=2012-06-09 |title=Destiny of the Doctors - Doctor Who Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/doctor-who/Destiny_of_the_Doctors |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251110105540/https://www.ign.com/wikis/doctor-who/Destiny_of_the_Doctors |archive-date=10 November 2025 |access-date=2025-11-10 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-10-27 |title=Doctor Who nostalgia: Looking back at Destiny of the Doctors (video game) |url=https://winteriscoming.net/2018/10/27/doctor-who-destiny-doctors/ |access-date=2025-11-10 |website=Winter is Coming |language=en-US}}</ref> He also narrated various [[List of Doctor Who novelisations|Target novelisations]] of ''Doctor Who'' stories for the BBC.{{efn|Such as for ''[[Robot (Doctor Who)|Robot]]'' (1974–1975),{{sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=46}} ''[[Pyramids of Mars]]'' (1975), ''The Brain of Morbius'',<ref>{{cite magazine |year=2016 |editor-last=Wright |editor-first=Mark |title=Planet of Evil, Pyramids of Mars, The Android Invasion and The Brain of Morbius |url=https://archive.org/details/Doctor-Who-Complete-History/CH24%20Planet%20of%20Evil%20-%20Pyramids%20of%20Mars%20-%20The%20Android%20Invasion%20-%20The%20Brain%20of%20Morbeus/ |magazine=Doctor Who: The Complete History |publisher=[[Panini Comics]], [[Hachette Book Group|Hachette Partworks]] |location=London |volume= |issue= |issn=2057-6048}}</ref> ''[[The Creature from the Pit]]'' (1979)<ref>{{cite magazine |year=2018 |editor-last=Wright |editor-first=Mark |title=City of Death, The Creature from the Pit, Nightmare of Eden and The Horns of Nimon |url=https://archive.org/details/Doctor-Who-Complete-History/CH31%20City%20of%20Death%20-%20The%20Creature%20from%20the%20Pit%20-%20Nighmare%20of%20Eden%20-%20The%20Horns%20of%20Nimon |magazine=Doctor Who: The Complete History |publisher=[[Panini Comics]], [[Hachette Book Group|Hachette Partworks]] |location=London |volume= |issue= |issn=2057-6048}}</ref> and ''[[The Power of the Daleks]]'' (1966).<ref>{{cite magazine |year=2016 |editor-last=Ainsworth |editor-first=John |title=The Power of the Daleks, The Highlanders, The Underwater Menace, and The Moonbase |url=https://archive.org/details/Doctor-Who-Complete-History/CH09%20The%20Power%20of%20the%20Daleks%20-%20The%20Highlanders%20-%20The%20Underwater%20Menace%20-%20The%20Moonbase/ |magazine=Doctor Who: The Complete History |publisher=[[Panini Comics]], [[Hachette Book Group|Hachette Partworks]] |location=London |volume=9 |issue=34 |issn=2057-6048}}</ref>}}

He made a cameo appearance in the 50th-anniversary special "[[The Day of the Doctor]]" (2013) as a mysterious curator in the [[National Gallery]], implied to be the Doctor's future incarnation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Westbrook |first=Caroline |date=10 December 2019 |orig-date=23 November 2013 |title=Tom Baker surprises Day Of The Doctor viewers |url=https://metro.co.uk/2013/11/23/tom-baker-makes-surprise-appearance-in-the-day-of-the-doctor-as-mild-mannered-gallery-curator-4199184/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250303134856/https://metro.co.uk/2013/11/23/tom-baker-makes-surprise-appearance-in-the-day-of-the-doctor-as-mild-mannered-gallery-curator-4199184/ |archive-date=3 March 2025 |access-date=2025-08-19 |website=Metro |language=en}}</ref> In 2017, the cast of ''Shada'' reunited to complete the unfilmed scenes via voice-over and animation, with Baker filming one live-action scene.<ref name=":20">{{cite news |date=24 November 2017 |title=Doctor Who: Tom Baker returns on camera for 1979 Shada serial |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-42080978 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250401215041/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-42080978 |archive-date=1 April 2025 |work=BBC News}}</ref> Baker and [[James Goss (producer)|James Goss]] co-wrote the 2019 novel ''Doctor Who: Scratchman'', based on a script Baker and [[Ian Marter]] (who played companion [[Harry Sullivan (Doctor Who)|Harry Sullivan]]) wrote for a proposed 1970s ''Doctor Who'' film.<ref>{{cite web |last=Liptak |first=Andrew |date=25 November 2018 |title=Tom Baker is turning his long-lost Doctor Who movie script into a novel |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/11/25/18111578/tom-baker-fourth-doctor-who-scratchman-script-novel |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119120816/https://www.theverge.com/2018/11/25/18111578/tom-baker-fourth-doctor-who-scratchman-script-novel |archive-date=19 January 2019 |work=The Verge}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Doctor Who: Scratchman by Tom Baker |url=https://www.penguin.com.au/books/doctor-who-scratchman-9781473531734 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250516180516/https://www.penguin.com.au/books/doctor-who-scratchman-9781473531734 |archive-date=16 May 2025 |access-date=2025-09-12 |website=Penguin |language=en}}</ref> As of 2025, Baker is the oldest living actor to have played the role.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bojarski |first=Meagan |date=2024-11-12 |title=How old was each actor when they became the Doctor? |url=https://doctorwhowatch.com/how-old-was-each-actor-when-they-became-the-doctor |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=Doctor Who Watch |language=en-US}}</ref>

====Audio dramas====
In 1976, Baker played the Doctor in two BBC [[audio dramas]], ''[[Doctor Who and the Pescatons]]'' and the episode "The Time Machine" of ''Exploration Earth''.<ref>{{Citation |title=Doctor Who: Talking 'Bout My Regeneration - The Making of The Sirens of Time |date=June 1999 |url=https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/doctor-who-talking-bout-my-regeneration-the-making-of-the-sirens-of-time-1112 |isbn=978-1-78575-339-8}}</ref> All of Baker's successors (Davison, [[Colin Baker]], McCoy and [[Paul McGann]]) had reprised the role in audio dramas since 2001,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeffery |first=Morgan |date=24 June 2017 |title=Big Finish: How a gang of fans reinvented Dr Who |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/cult/a831517/big-finish-nicholas-briggs-interview/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB}}</ref> but Baker avoided doing so until BBC's ''[[Hornets' Nest (audio drama)|Hornets' Nest]]'' in 2009. He appeared in two sequels, ''[[Demon Quest]]'' and ''[[Serpent Crest]]''.{{sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=55}} In March 2011, it was announced that Baker would return as the Fourth Doctor, alongside his companion [[Romana (Doctor Who)|Romana]] ([[Mary Tamm]] and [[Lalla Ward]]), for two series of audio dramas for [[Big Finish Productions]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=13 March 2011 |title=Tom Baker Joins Big Finish |url=http://www.bigfinish.com/news/Tom-Baker-Joins-Big-Finish |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110417200727/http://www.bigfinish.com/news/Tom-Baker-Joins-Big-Finish |archive-date=2011-04-17 |access-date=2025-09-12 |website=Big Finish Productions}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{Cite web |last=Richardson |first=David |title=Big Finish |url=https://www.tombakerofficial.com/big-finish/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250603114813/https://www.tombakerofficial.com/big-finish/ |archive-date=3 June 2025 |access-date=2025-09-12 |website=Tom Baker Official |language=en-GB}}</ref> Big Finish also arranged for Baker to record a series with [[Elisabeth Sladen]] as [[Sarah Jane Smith]], but Sladen died in April 2011 before any stories could be recorded.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Briggs |first=Nicholas |author-link=Nicholas Briggs |date=October 2011 |title=Remembering Elisabeth Sladen |url=https://archive.org/details/doctor-who-magazine_20240612/Issue%20440/ |journal=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] |issue=440 |pages=34}}</ref> As of 2025, Big Finish has released 14 audio series starring Baker as the Doctor, featuring past co-stars such as [[Louise Jameson]], [[Matthew Waterhouse]] and [[John Leeson]].<ref name=":13" /> It was announced in March 2020 that Baker would record "Return of the Cybermen" for Big Finish, an alternative version of the serial ''[[Revenge of the Cybermen]]'' (1975), with [[Sadie Miller]], Sladen's daughter, cast in the role of Sarah Jane.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Greenland |first=Baz |title=Big Finish Review: Doctor Who - Return of the Cybermen |url=https://www.thedigitalfix.com/life/review/big-finish-review-doctor-who-return-of-the-cybermen/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425060751/https://www.thedigitalfix.com/life/review/big-finish-review-doctor-who-return-of-the-cybermen/ |archive-date=25 April 2021 |website=The Digital Fix}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 March 2020 |title=Lost Doctor Who story Return of the Cybermen will return |url=https://www.bigfinish.com/news/v/lost-doctor-who-story-return-of-the-cybermen-will-return |access-date=2025-08-30 |website=Big Finish}}</ref> In 2020 Baker returned to the role of the Curator for Big Finish, joining the cast of ''[[Doctor Who: The Eighth Doctor Adventures|The Eighth Doctor Adventures]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeffery |first=Morgan |date=14 February 2020 |title=Tom Baker will play Doctor Who's Curator again in new Big Finish adventure |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/tom-baker-doctor-who-curator/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== 1982–2003: Return to character acting===
Baker struggled with [[typecasting]] after leaving ''Doctor Who'', withdrawing to the theatre.{{sfn|McGown|loc=10th paragraph}}{{sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=54}} In 1981, he played [[Oscar Wilde]] for a second time on stage in ''Feasting with Panthers'' at the [[Chichester Festival Theatre]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cast List, Feasting with Panthers (1981) |url=https://passiton.cft.org.uk/archive/cast-list-feasting-with-panthers-1981/ |access-date=2025-09-18 |website=Pass It On |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{cite web |date=30 April 2025 |title=After Doctor Who |url=http://www.tombakerofficial.com/after-doctor-who/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/Z16Aq |archive-date=20 November 2025 |access-date=1 October 2025 |website=Tom Baker Official Website}}</ref> The same year he appeared in ''Treasure Island'' at the National.{{sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=54}} He hosted ''[[The Book Tower]]'', an ITV children's television series exploring literature.<ref name=":11" />

In 1982, he played Judge Brack in ''[[Hedda Gabler]]'', with [[Susannah York]] as Hedda, in the [[West End theatre|West End]].<ref name=":8" /> He portrayed [[Sherlock Holmes]] in a four-part BBC miniseries adaptation of ''[[The Hound of the Baskervilles (TV serial)|The Hound of the Baskervilles]]'', produced by Barry Letts.<ref name="eyles">{{cite book |last=Eyles |first=Allen |url=https://archive.org/details/sherlockholmesce0000eyle/page/123 |title=Sherlock Holmes: A Centenary Celebration |publisher=[[Harper (publisher)|Harper & Row]] |year=1986 |isbn=978-0-06-015620-6 |pages=123 |url-access=registration}}</ref>{{sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=54}} He then played Dr. Frank Bryant in a touring [[Royal Shakespeare Company]] production of ''[[Educating Rita]]''.<ref name="Jones">{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Catherine |date=29 January 2015 |title=Educating Rita actors through the years |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/educating-rita-actors-through-years-8537856 |access-date=19 November 2015 |work=The Liverpool Echo}}</ref><ref name=":8" /> He returned to the National Theatre in 1984 to play Mr Hardcastle in ''[[She Stoops to Conquer]]'' in the [[Olivier Theatre]] and on tour. The following year he played both [[Sherlock Holmes]] and [[Professor Moriarty|Moriarty]] in [[Hugh Leonard]]'s ''The Mask of Moriarty'' at the [[Gate Theatre]] in Dublin.<ref name=":8" /> Baker narrated the 1985 science fiction film [[Enemy Mine (film)|''Enemy Mine'']].{{citation needed|date=October 2025}} He appeared in ''[[Blackadder II]]'' (1986) as sea captain Redbeard Rum.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shepherd |first=Jack |date=12 March 2019 |title=Tom Baker says 'anxious' Rowan Atkinson was difficult to work with on Blackadder |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/tom-baker-rowan-atkinson-blackadder-2-doctor-who-a8817901.html |access-date=12 September 2025 |work=Independent}}</ref> In 1987, he played Inspector Goole in a production of ''[[An Inspector Calls]]''.<ref name="NH" />{{sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=54}}[[File:Tom Baker.jpg|thumb|Baker in 2010|left]]

Baker's autobiography, ''Who on Earth is Tom Baker?'' was published in 1997.{{sfn|McGown|loc=13th paragraph}}{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=54}} He also authored two children's books: ''Never Wear Your Wellies in the House and Other Poems to Make You Laugh'' (1981)<ref>{{Cite book |last=Baker |first=Tom |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3Ho7AAAACAAJ |title=Never Wear Your Wellies in the House: And Other Poems to Make You Laugh |date=1981 |publisher=Sparrow |isbn=978-0-09-927340-0 |language=en}}</ref> and ''[[The Boy Who Kicked Pigs]]'' (1999).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Evenden |first=Matt |date=2025-04-30 |title=The Boy Who Kicked Pigs |url=https://www.tombakerofficial.com/biography/the-boy-who-kicked-pigs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251115111809/https://www.tombakerofficial.com/biography/the-boy-who-kicked-pigs/ |archive-date=15 November 2025 |access-date=2025-09-12 |website=Tom Baker Official |language=en-GB}}</ref>{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=54}}

By the early 1990s, Baker's now older appearance led to a reduction in typecasting; additionally he began to be cast by directors who grew up watching him on ''Doctor Who''.{{sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=54}}{{sfn|McGown|loc=12th paragraph}} He played [[Puddleglum]], a "marsh-wiggle", in the 1990 BBC adaptation of [[C. S. Lewis]]' ''[[The Silver Chair]]''.{{sfn|McGown|loc=12th paragraph}} He was cast as [[Professor Plum]] in the 1992 series of the game show ''[[Cluedo (UK game show)|Cluedo]].''{{sfn|McGown|loc=12th paragraph|}} He played the titular "hammy" narrator in the 1992 radio comedy ''[[Lionel Nimrod's Inexplicable World]].{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=55}}'' Baker narrated the 1990s BBC puppet series ''Tales of Aesop'', based on [[Aesop's Fables]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cormack |first=Morgan |date=11 June 2025 |title=Tom Baker, 91, records new introduction for re-release of classic kids' series |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/tom-baker-tales-of-aesop-special-edition-newsupdate/ |access-date=2025-11-13 |website=[[Radio Times]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> Baker's first long-running role since the Fourth Doctor was as Dr. Hoyt in the hospital drama [[Medics (British TV series)|''Medics'']] (1992–1995).{{sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=54}} In 1994 he provided the narration for [[Channel 4]]'s ''[[Equinox (TV programme)|Equinox]]'' documentary ''Rave New World.''<ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Borthwick |first=Stuart |title=Dance, culture, television : an analysis of the politics of contemporary dance culture and its televisual representations. |date=2016-12-08 |degree=doctoral |publisher=Liverpool John Moores University |url=https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/5031/ |language=en |page=150}}</ref> It was rumoured that Baker was a candidate for the role of [[Gandalf]] in the ''[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|Lord of the Rings]]'' films; Baker himself stated that he would not have accepted a role which would mean spending months away filming in [[New Zealand]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Regina |first=Michael |date=26 October 1999 |title=Just Who on Earth is Tom Baker? |url=http://www.theonering.net/perl/newsview/1/940961808 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807074012/http://archives.theonering.net/perl/newsview/1/940961808 |archive-date=7 August 2011 |access-date=17 August 2006 |work=TheOneRing.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Tim |last2=Jones |first2=Ross |last3=Harrod |first3=Horatia |last4=Thompson |first4=Jessie |last5=Lewis |first5=Matt |date=2016-01-28 |title=Doctor Who: 50 things you didn't know |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2015/doctor-who-50-things-you-didnt-know/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514174542/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2015/doctor-who-50-things-you-didnt-know/ |archive-date=14 May 2016 |access-date=2025-08-19 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> In 2000 he appeared as the elf Halvarth in ''[[Dungeons & Dragons (2000 film)|Dungeons & Dragons]]''.<ref name=":162">{{Cite web |last=Butler |first=Dan |date=2015-04-14 |title=10 Awful Films Doctor Who Actors Want You To Forget |url=https://whatculture.com/film/10-awful-films-doctor-who-actors-want-you-to-forget?page=5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251114091442/https://whatculture.com/film/10-awful-films-doctor-who-actors-want-you-to-forget?page=5 |archive-date=14 November 2025 |access-date=2025-09-17 |website=WhatCulture.com |language=en}}</ref> Baker played Wyvern in ''[[Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) (2000 TV series)|Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)]]'' (2000–2001).{{sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=54}}

=== 2003–present: Move into voice acting and ''Little Britain'' ===
Influenced by his role as Lionel Nimrod,''{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=55}}'' Baker was cast as the narrator of the [[sketch comedy]] series ''[[Little Britain (TV series)|Little Britain]]'' (2003–2006).<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC 7 - Comedy - Little Britain |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/comedy/progpages/littlebritain.shtml |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> His casting was also influenced by his popularity with creators [[Matt Lucas]] and [[David Walliams]], part of the generation for whom he is the favourite Doctor.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dempster |first=Sarah |date=2004-09-25 |title='I was randy for martyrdom' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/sep/25/tvandradio.theguide |access-date=2025-10-01 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ8PmbS_Ca4 |title=Tom Baker 2009 - Little Britain spiced up my boring voiceover jobs |date=2009 |last= |access-date=2025-10-23 |via=YouTube}}</ref> Baker credited ''Little Britain'' with "re-inventing" him.<ref>"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DIVoYBCymk 1 February 2006]." ''Today with Des and Mel.'' ITV, 2006. Television. Baker at 2:40: "I mean ''Little Britain'' has kind of re-invented me."</ref><ref name=":1" /> For the evening of 17 November 2005, to introduce the third television series of ''Little Britain'', Baker read [[BBC One]]'s continuity announcements in character.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 November 2005 |title=And next up on BBC ONE, it's the Tom Baker |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2005/11_november/15/baker.shtml |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=BBC Press Office}}</ref> The same year his "sonorous" voice was voted the fourth most recognisable in the UK, after [[Elizabeth II]], [[Tony Blair]] and [[Margaret Thatcher]].<ref name="Faces of the week">{{cite news |date=3 February 2006 |title=Faces of the week |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4674514.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320170224/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4674514.stm |archive-date=20 March 2025 |access-date=12 July 2015 |work=BBC News}}</ref> Baker later returned to narrate ''Little Britain''<nowiki/>'s 2019 radio special.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2019-10-27 |title=Little Britain cast to reunite for Brexit-themed radio special |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/oct/27/little-britain-little-brexit-bbc-radio-4-special |access-date=2025-10-24 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

Baker voiced the character Max Bear in the [[Channel 4]] animated series of the same name.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-04-08 |title=Gloucestershire inspires TV return of animated bear |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-13002533 |access-date=2025-11-09 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gammie |first=Joe |date=2011-03-11 |title=New Series Of "Max Bear" To Hit UK This Month Courtesy 0f Channel 4 |url=https://www.skwigly.co.uk/a-brand-new-series-of-max-bear-is-set-to-hit-uk-television-this-month-courtesy-of-channel-4/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=Skwigly Animation Magazine}}</ref> In 2003 he played a blind priest in the BBC series ''[[Strange (TV series)|Strange]].''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Credits |url=https://www.tombakerofficial.com/credits/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250603194223/https://www.tombakerofficial.com/credits/ |archive-date=3 June 2025 |access-date=2025-09-18 |website=Tom Baker Official |language=en-GB}}</ref> Baker played the role of the Captain in [[Challenge (TV channel)|Challenge]]'s version of ''[[Fort Boyard (British game show)|Fort Boyard]].''{{sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=55}} He was cast as Donald MacDonald in the sixth and seventh series of ''[[Monarch of the Glen (TV series)|Monarch of the Glen]]''.<ref>{{cite web |date=26 August 2004 |title=Monarch Of The Glen returns for a sixth series |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2004/08_august/26/monarch_baker.shtml |access-date=16 September 2025 |work=BBC Online}}</ref>{{sfn|McGown|loc=14th paragraph|}} He voiced the villain ZeeBad in the animated film ''[[The Magic Roundabout (film)|The Magic Roundabout]]'' (2005). The character was redubbed for the US release.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=William |date=1 January 2015 |title=The Magic Roundabout |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/magic-roundabout-review/ |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=Empire |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title='Doogal': 'The Magic Roundabout' Takes Its Spin in the U.S. |url=https://www.awn.com/animationworld/doogal-magic-roundabout-takes-its-spin-us |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=Animation World Network |language=en}}</ref> Baker narrated ''[[Global Haywire]]'', a 2006 political documentary by Australian cartoonist [[Bruce Petty]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hawker |first=Philippa |date=2008-04-10 |title=Global Haywire |url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/radionational/archived/movietime/global-haywire/3256066 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219183127/https://www.abc.net.au/listen/radionational/archived/movietime/global-haywire/3256066 |archive-date=19 February 2025 |access-date=2025-10-25 |website=ABC Radio National |language=en-AU}}</ref>

In January 2006, [[BT Group]] used Baker's voice for their text-to-speech service for landline phones. This required him to record 11,593 phrases, containing every sound in the English language.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Voice of ''Little Britain'' becomes BT's voice of text |date=27 January 2006 |publisher=[[BT Group]] |url=http://www.btplc.com/News/Articles/ShowArticle.cfm?ArticleID=a40cfaf2-043b-47a0-8543-bb216333707f |access-date=17 August 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060613194237/http://www.btplc.com/News/Articles/ShowArticle.cfm?ArticleID=a40cfaf2-043b-47a0-8543-bb216333707f |archive-date=13 June 2006}}</ref><ref name=":17">{{Cite web |last=Pearlman |first=Julia |date=27 January 2006 |title=Little Britain star Tom Baker becomes the voice of BT Text |url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/little-britain-star-tom-baker-becomes-voice-bt-text/538247?utm_source=website&utm_medium=social |access-date=2025-10-24 |website=www.campaignlive.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> The service returned from 1 December 2006 to 8 January 2007, with two pence from each text going to the charity [[Shelter (charity)|Shelter]]. A cover of "[[You Really Got Me]]" by [[the Kinks]], sung by Baker's text voice, was released on 18 December with proceeds going to charity.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Tom Baker says... "You really got me" |date=1 December 2006 |publisher=[[BT Group]] |url=http://www.btplc.com/News/Articles/Showarticle.cfm?ArticleID=3f6046da-2f3c-42bb-89c2-eb136cd9b222 |access-date=4 December 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927004721/http://www.btplc.com/News/Articles/Showarticle.cfm?ArticleID=3f6046da-2f3c-42bb-89c2-eb136cd9b222 |archive-date=27 September 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tom Baker Says... |url=http://www.tombakersays.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060412062602/https://tombakersays.com/ |archive-date=12 April 2006 |website=}}</ref>

In 2007, he voiced Robert Baron in the BBC animated series ''[[The Secret Show]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Secret Show |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/the-secret-show/cast/1000061925/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251115114827/https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/the-secret-show/cast/1000061925/ |archive-date=15 November 2025 |access-date=2025-11-15 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref> He narrated the children's animated series ''[[The Beeps]]'' (2007–2008) which was broadcast on [[5 (British TV channel)|Channel 5]]'s ''[[Milkshake!]]''{{citation needed|date=October 2025}} He also appeared as a guest on the quiz show ''[[Have I Got News for You]]'' and returned as a guest host in 2008.{{Sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=54}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Have I Got News For You - Tom Baker |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/haveigotnewsforyou/interviews/interview3.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210074910/https://www.bbc.co.uk/haveigotnewsforyou/interviews/interview3.shtml |archive-date=10 December 2008 |access-date=2025-11-15 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC One - Have I Got News for You, Series 36, Episode 3 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00f813k |access-date=2025-11-15 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> He was interviewed by his close friend [[Laurie Taylor (sociologist)|Laurie Taylor]] for a 2010 episode of the television series ''[[In Confidence]]''.{{sfn|Baker|2010}}<ref name="NH" /> Baker voiced [[List of Star Wars Rebels characters#The Bendu|the Bendu]], a powerful [[the Force|Force]]-sensitive being in the animated series ''[[Star Wars Rebels]]'' (2016).<ref>{{cite news |last=Truitt |first=Brian |date=15 September 2016 |title='Doctor Who' star Tom Baker is a Force in 'Star Wars Rebels' |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2016/09/15/tom-baker-star-wars-rebels-exclusive-clip/90410988/ |access-date=21 December 2018 |agency=USA Today}}</ref>[[File:Tom baker.jpg|thumb|267x267px|Baker signing autographs in 2012]]Baker has appeared in various radio productions, including a role as "Britain's most celebrated criminal barrister", Sir [[Edward Marshall Hall]] in ''John Mortimer Presents the Trials of Marshall Hall'' (1996),<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC Radio 4 Extra - John Mortimer Presents: The Trials of Marshall Hall, 1. The Black Trunk |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007k2vr |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> "[[Josiah Bounderby]]" in [[Charles Dickens]]' ''[[Hard Times (novel)|Hard Times]]'' (1998) and a part in the 2001 [[BBC Radio 4]] version of ''[[The Thirty-Nine Steps]]'' as [[Sir Walter Bullivant]]. He guest starred in ''[[The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes]]'' (a pastiche series written by [[Bert Coules]]) in the 2002 episode "[[The Saviour of Cripplegate Square]]".{{citation needed|date=November 2025}}

His voice may be heard at London's [[Natural History Museum, London|Natural History Museum]] narrating commentary to some of the exhibits that demonstrate [[Charles Darwin|Darwin's]] theory of [[natural selection]]. Baker provides narration at two British tourist attractions: the [[Nemesis (roller coaster)|Nemesis roller coaster]] at [[Alton Towers]], Staffordshire; and the [[London Dungeon]], a museum depicting gory and macabre events in the capital, narrating the events leading up to and comprising [[the Great Fire of London]].{{citation needed|date=November 2025}}

His voice has featured in the video games ''[[Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future]]'' (2000),<ref name="gamesradar.com">{{cite web |last=Towell |first=Justin |date=18 September 2007 |title=The stars behind gaming's voices |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/the-stars-behind-gamings-voices/?page=5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122140805/https://www.gamesradar.com/the-stars-behind-gamings-voices/?page=5 |archive-date=22 January 2025 |access-date=27 December 2016 |work=gamesradar.com}}</ref> ''[[Hostile Waters: Antaeus Rising]]'' (2001),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bye |first=John |date=17 March 2001 |title=Hostile Waters review |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/r-hostilewaters |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250504234435/https://www.eurogamer.net/r-hostilewaters |archive-date=4 May 2025 |access-date=2025-11-10 |website=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}</ref> ''[[Warhammer 40,000: Fire Warrior]]'' (2003),<ref name="EuroG">{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Martin |date=October 9, 2003 |title=Warhammer 40,000: Fire Warrior |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/r-firewarrior-ps2 |access-date=May 22, 2022 |website=[[Eurogamer]]}}</ref><ref name="GSpotPS2">{{Cite web |last=Todd |first=Brett |date=December 1, 2003 |title=Warhammer 40,000: Fire Warrior Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/warhammer-40000-fire-warrior-review/1900-6084851/ |access-date=May 22, 2022 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> ''[[Sudeki]]'' (2004),<ref>{{cite news |last=Howson |first=Greg |date=26 August 2004 |title=Games watch |url=https://www.theguardian.com/computergames/story/0,,1290507,00.html |access-date=17 August 2006 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> ''[[{{Not a typo|Med|iEvil}}: Resurrection]]'' (2005),<ref>{{Cite web |title=MediEvil: Resurrection |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/MediEvil-Resurrection/ |access-date=2025-11-15 |website=Behind The Voice Actors |language=en-US}}</ref> ''[[Cold Winter]]'' (2005)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reed |first=Kristan |date=8 June 2005 |title=Cold Winter review |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/r-coldwinter-ps2 |access-date=2025-11-15 |website=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}</ref> and ''[[Little Britain: The Video Game]]'' (2007).<ref name="gamesradar.com" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Little Britain: The Video Game Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/little-britain-the-video-game/ |access-date=2025-11-15 |website=www.metacritic.com |language=en}}</ref> He has also provided vocals for musical artists. He appeared on Technocat's single "Only Human" in 1995.{{citation needed|date=November 2025}} He appeared on the [[alternative rock]] band [[Mansun]]'s 1998 album ''[[Six (Mansun album)|Six]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Bhangu |first1=Jules |date=27 March 2019 |title=More from the 'Six' 4 Disc Deluxe Book ... Tom Baker Outtakes |url=http://mansun.co.uk/more-from-the-six-4-disc-deluxe-book-tom-baker-outtakes/ |newspaper=Mansun}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Forrest |first=Jo |date=2019-01-10 |title=Mansun to reissue 'Six' on 22nd March |url=https://www.totalntertainment.com/music/mansun-to-reissue-six-on-22nd-march/ |access-date=2025-11-10 |website=TotalNtertainment |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Lou |date=2007 |title=Mansun Legacy, The Best Of Review |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/6zmq/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316153420/https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/6zmq/ |archive-date=16 March 2021 |access-date=2025-11-10 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref> In 2002 he recorded a monologue for the track "Megamorphosis" for Stephen James' album ''Andabrek'', though it was not released until 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stephen James (9) – Andabrek |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/9092343-Stephen-James-Andabrek |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251112122538/https://www.discogs.com/release/9092343-Stephen-James-Andabrek |archive-date=12 November 2025 |access-date=12 November 2025 |website=Discogs}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=24 January 2010 |orig-date=5 May 2009 |title=PRISONERESQUE ALBUM RELEASED |url=https://www.theunmutual.co.uk/newsarchive369.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420030233/https://www.theunmutual.co.uk/newsarchive369.htm |archive-date=20 April 2024 |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=The Unmutual}}</ref> Baker provided spoken vocals for character of The Storyteller on [[Ayreon]]'s 2020 [[concept album]] ''[[Transitus (album)|Transitus]]''.<ref name=":21">{{Cite web |last=Ewing |first=Jerry |date=2020-05-13 |title=Dr. Who star Tom Baker stars on new Ayreon album Transitus |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/dr-who-star-tom-baker-stars-on-new-ayreon-album-transitus |access-date=2025-09-19 |website=Louder |language=en}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Baker met Anna Wheatcroft (niece of wealthy rose grower [[Harry Wheatcroft]]) at Rose Bruford College; they married in 1961 and had two sons.{{sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=50}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=Baker |first=Tom |url=https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/Who_on_Earth_Is_Tom_Baker/DSyKAAAACAAJ?hl=en |title=Who on Earth Is Tom Baker? |date=1997-01-10 |publisher=HarperCollins Publishers Limited |isbn=978-0-00-105365-6 |language=en |quote=At the end of every day I went home to Harry Wheatcroft's brother, Alfred Wheatcroft, my father-in-law.}}</ref> In his autobiography, Baker recounted that the poor treatment he received from Wheatcroft's family led to him attempting [[suicide]].<ref name=":23"/> The couple separated in 1966.{{sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=50}} He lost contact with his sons until a chance meeting with one of them in a New Zealand restaurant led to a reconciliation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Weathers |first=Helen |date=30 December 1998 |title=Who's got views for you |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000560/19981230/060/0013 |work=Daily Mirror |pages=12–13}}</ref><ref name=":23">{{Cite news |last=Wilson |first=Andrew |date=20 September 1997 |title=Dark side of the Doctor |url=https://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Dark_side_of_the_Doctor |work=Daily Mail |pages=24–25}}</ref> In 2023, Baker said he was estranged from both of his sons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sweet |first=Matthew |date=22 November 2023 |title=Tom Baker: 'Nobody failed as Doctor Who - I certainly didn't' |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-tom-baker-60th-anniversary-interview/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250912172134/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-tom-baker-60th-anniversary-interview/ |archive-date=12 September 2025 |access-date=2025-08-01 |website=RadioTimes |language=en-GB}}</ref> His son Piers runs The Bath Inn in [[Sneinton|Sneinton, Nottingham]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pinchess |first=Lynette |date=2023-08-02 |title=Brilliant reason Doctor Who fans have started flocking to pub |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/whats-on/food-drink/brilliant-reason-doctor-who-fans-8641612 |access-date=2025-11-15 |website=Nottinghamshire Live |language=en}}</ref>

In December 1980, he married [[Lalla Ward]], who co-starred in ''Doctor Who'' as his character's companion [[Romana (Doctor Who)|Romana]]. They divorced after 16 months.<ref name=":19">{{Cite web |last=Cook |first=Benjamin |date=16 March 2019 |title=Tom Baker: seven things we learned from his brand-new Season 18 Blu-ray commentary |url=https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/tom-baker-seven-things-we-learned-from-his-brand-new-season-18-blu-ray-commentary |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250614180530/https://www.doctorwho.tv/news-and-features/tom-baker-seven-things-we-learned-from-his-brand-new-season-18-blu-ray-commentary |archive-date=14 June 2025 |access-date=2025-10-19 |website=doctorwho.tv |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":23" />

Baker married his third wife Sue Jerrard in 1986; they met when she was working as an assistant editor on the ''Doctor Who'' serial ''[[Horror of Fang Rock]]'' (1977). They lived in [[Boughton Malherbe]] in [[Kent]], before moving to France in 2003.<ref name=":14" />{{sfn|Ainsworth|2015|p=55}} The couple sold the property to [[Jim Moir|Vic Reeves]], with whom Baker had worked with on ''Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)''.<ref name=":14">{{Cite news |date=23 March 2008 |title=Baker: I'd do Dr Who cameo 'if they ask me nicely' |url=http://www.kentnews.co.uk/kent-news/Baker--I_d-do-Dr-Who-cameo-_if-they-ask-me-nicely_-newsinkent11102.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081103000457/http://www.kentnews.co.uk/kent-news/Baker--I_d-do-Dr-Who-cameo-_if-they-ask-me-nicely_-newsinkent11102.aspx |archive-date=3 November 2008 |work=Kent News}}</ref> In November 2006, Baker left France and moved to [[Royal Tunbridge Wells]], before later moving to [[East Sussex]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Biography - To France and back |url=http://www.tom-baker.co.uk/pages/content/index.asp?PageID=152 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516120849/http://www.tom-baker.co.uk/pages/content/index.asp?PageID=152 |archive-date=16 May 2013 |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=www.tom-baker.co.uk |url-status=live }}</ref>

Baker has frequently scrutinised organised religion in the media.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Belam |first=Martin |date=2020-10-30 |title=Tom Baker: 'Being loved pleases me very much indeed' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/oct/30/tom-baker-being-loved-pleases-me-very-much-indeed |access-date=2025-09-18 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> He described himself as "sort of [[Buddhism|Buddhist]]" in 2001<ref name=":3" /> and "an [[atheist]]" in 2004.<ref name="Herald">{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Mark |date=2004-09-17 |title=From Gallifrey to Glenbogle |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12419043.from-gallifrey-to-glenbogle-monk-soldier-time-lord-now-tom-bakers-arrived-in-monarch-of-the-glen-and-hes-loving-every-minute-by-mark-smith/ |access-date=2025-08-19 |website=The Herald |language=en}}</ref> During a 2010 interview with Laurie Taylor, Baker stated that he did not believe in God.{{sfn|Baker|2010|loc=3:10}}

He was appointed a [[Member of the Order of the British Empire]] (MBE) in the [[2025 New Year Honours]] for services to television.<ref>{{London Gazette
| issue = 64607
| date = 30 December 2024
| page = N16
| supp = y
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Griffin |first=Louise |date=14 November 2025 |title=Doctor Who legend Tom Baker dons Fourth Doctor costume to receive MBE |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-tom-baker-costume-mbe-newsupdate/ |access-date=2025-11-15 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Filmography ==
{{Main|List of Tom Baker performances and credits}}

== References ==
=== Notes ===
{{notelist}}
===Citations===
{{reflist}}
===Bibliography===
* {{Cite journal |date=2015 |editor-last=Ainsworth |editor-first=John |title=Robot, The Ark in Space and The Sontaran Experiment |url=|journal=Doctor Who: The Complete History |publisher=[[Panini Comics]], [[Hachette Book Group|Hachette Partworks]] |issn=2057-6048}}
* {{Cite web |last=McGown |first=Alistair |title=Baker, Tom (1936-) |url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/462127/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250220193048/http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/462127/index.html |archive-date=20 February 2025 |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=BFI Screenonline}}
* {{Cite interview |last=Baker|first=Tom |title=Tom Baker Interview |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvXkY1tRISc |series=[[In Confidence]] |date=2010 |interviewer-last=Taylor |interviewer-first=Laurie |interviewer-link=Laurie Taylor (sociologist)}} Series 1, episode 5.

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{official website|http://www.tombakerofficial.com/}}
* {{IMDb name|48982}}
* {{iobdb name|27639}}
* {{screenonline name| 462127 }}
* [http://www.dwasonline.co.uk/node/898?cat=node/897 Tom Baker as Doctor Who in Denis Allen Print Birthday Cards circa 1978] at Doctor Who Appreciation Society Online Archive
* [https://www.tombakerofficial.com/fourth-doctor/ The Tom Baker Years | Who is the Doctor?]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20211203111629/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/8564%7C147352/Tom-Baker#biography Tom Baker | Turner Classic Movies]
* [https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/nov/04/how-i-made-doctor-who Tom Baker: How I made Doctor Who]

{{s-start}}
{{succession box
| before = [[Jon Pertwee]]
| title = ''[[Doctor Who]]'' leading actor
| years = 1974–1981
| after = [[Peter Davison]]
}}
{{s-end}}

{{Subject bar |portal1=Biography |portal2=Doctor Who |portal3=Speculative fiction|portal31=Television|commons=y }}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Baker, Tom}}
[[Category:1934 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century British Army personnel]]
[[Category:20th-century English male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century English male actors]]
[[Category:Alumni of Rose Bruford College]]
[[Category:Audiobook narrators]]
[[Category:English humanists]]
[[Category:English male film actors]]
[[Category:English male radio actors]]
[[Category:English male stage actors]]
[[Category:English male television actors]]
[[Category:English male voice actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from Liverpool]]
[[Category:Members of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Liverpool]]
[[Category:People from Boughton Malherbe]]
[[Category:People from Rye, East Sussex]]
[[Category:People from Vauxhall, Liverpool]]
[[Category:Royal Army Medical Corps soldiers]]