James Bolam Actor Age

James Bolam: The Actor Who's Older Than Your Grandpa's Teeth

Alright, gather 'round, folks. I've got a tale to tell about an actor who's been around so long, he's practically a national treasure. I'm talking about James Bolam, the man who's older than your grandpa's teeth, and still going strong.

Now, you might know him as Jack Harper from New Tricks, or maybe you've seen him in The Likely Lads. Either way, this guy's been gracing our screens since the swinging sixties, and he's not about to hang up his acting boots just yet.

Born in the Roaring Twenties

Let's rewind the clock, shall we? James Bolam was born in 1935, which makes him older than the Eiffel Tower. Okay, maybe not that old, but you get the picture. He was born in Sunderland, a town in the north-east of England, and started his acting career in the 1950s.

Imagine this: while you were learning to tie your shoelaces, James Bolam was already treading the boards. He started out in rep (that's repertory theatre to you and me), and by the time he was 25, he was already a seasoned pro.

From Stage to Screen

Now, you might think that after all those years on stage, Bolam would be a bit, well, old-fashioned. But no, this guy's as modern as they come. He made the leap to TV and film in the 1960s, and he's been a regular on our screens ever since.

Likely Lads actor James Bolam joins the cast of Cold Feet ahead of its

One of his first big roles was in The Likely Lads, a sitcom about two working-class mates from Newcastle. Bolam played Bob Ferris, the straight man to Rodney Bewes' Terry Collier. It was a massive hit, and it's still beloved today. In fact, if you ask your grandma, she'll probably tell you it's the funniest thing since sliced bread.

Still Going Strong

So, what's Bolam's secret? How does he keep going after all these years? Well, for starters, he's got more energy than a toddler on a sugar rush. He's still acting, still directing, and still making us laugh.

Take New Tricks, for example. He played Jack Harper, a retired cop who solves cold cases with his team of fellow geriatrics. It was a massive hit, and Bolam's performance was a big part of that. He brought just the right mix of comedy and drama to the role, and we loved him for it.

'There was no fall-out at all': The Likely Lads actor James Bolam

And here's a fun fact for you: Bolam's still acting and directing. He's directed episodes of New Tricks, Midsomer Murders, and even The Likely Lads. Talk about a multitasking marvel!

Not Just an Actor, a National Treasure

So there you have it, folks. James Bolam, the actor who's been around longer than your grandpa's false teeth. He's not just an actor, he's a national treasure. And the best part? He's still going strong, still making us laugh, and still proving that age is just a number.

Next time you see him on screen, give him a little cheer. He's earned it. And who knows? Maybe he'll still be around when your grandkids are learning to tie their shoelaces. Now that's what I call a career.