David Tennant is a Scottish actor with a net worth of $9 million. He gained international fame for his portrayal of the Tenth and Fourteenth Doctors in the iconic science-fiction television series Doctor Who. Beyond this, Tennant’s career spans across notable television series like Casanova, Broadchurch, Jessica Jones, and Good Omens. His film credits include L.A. Without a Map, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, What We Did on Our Holiday, and Mad to Be Normal. Tennant has also enjoyed a prolific stage career with frequent performances at the Royal Shakespeare Company and other theaters.
Early Life and Education
David Tennant was born on April 18, 1971, in Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland. His parents were Helen and Sandy, and he grew up with a brother, Blair, and a sister, Karen. Tennant’s passion for acting was sparked at a young age when he watched Doctor Who at just three years old. He attended Ralston Primary School and Paisley Grammar School, taking part in various school theater productions. Later, Tennant enrolled at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. He eventually changed his surname to Tennant after discovering another David McDonald was already a member of the Equity actor’s union, choosing the name in homage to Neil Tennant, the lead singer of the band Pet Shop Boys.
Television Career Before Doctor Who
David Tennant’s television career began in 1988 when he made his debut in a 1988 episode of the children’s anthology series Dramarama. He then appeared in multiple British television shows, including The Play on One, Strathblair, and Rab C. Nesbitt. In 1994, Tennant landed his first major role in the Scottish drama Takin’ Over the Asylum, playing a teenager with bipolar disorder. Following this, he had guest roles in The Tales of Para Handy, The Bill, and Holding the Baby. In 1998, Tennant starred in the short-lived comedy series Duck Patrol.
During the years that followed, Tennant appeared in various shows, including Love in the 21st Century, Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased), People Like Us, High Stakes, Foyle’s War, and Posh Nosh. In 2004, he played significant roles in two BBC series: He Knew He Was Right and Blackpool. Tennant’s first major TV role came in 2005 when he played the titular character in the historical drama Casanova.
Breakthrough Role in Doctor Who
Tennant’s breakthrough came in 2005 when he was cast as the Tenth Doctor in Doctor Who, a role that would propel him to international fame. His portrayal of the beloved character won critical acclaim and made him a fan favorite. Tennant stayed in the role until 2010 when Matt Smith took over. However, Tennant returned for the Doctor Who 50th anniversary special, The Day of the Doctor, in 2013. Tennant’s love for the character was clear when he reprised his role in multiple specials and audio dramas. His most recent return to the Doctor Who franchise came in 2022 when he was unexpectedly brought back as the Fourteenth Doctor.
Notable Television Roles Post-Doctor Who
Since his time on Doctor Who, Tennant has continued to land prominent roles in television. He portrayed British academic Richard Hoggart in the 2006 TV movie The Chatterley Affair. In 2007, he starred in three television films: Recovery, The Infinite Quest, and Learners. Throughout the years, Tennant has also appeared in other notable television films such as Einstein Eddington and United. He played major roles in several British miniseries, including Single Father, Spies of Warsaw, The Politician’s Husband, The Escape Artist, There She Goes, Camping, Good Omens, Deadwater Fell, Des, and Inside Man.
One of his standout television roles was as Detective Inspector Alec Hardy in the crime drama Broadchurch. Tennant also starred in the American remake, Gracepoint. Additionally, Tennant showcased his versatility by playing Kilgrave in the Marvel series Jessica Jones. Beyond live-action roles, Tennant’s voice work spans various animated series, including Tree Fu Tom, DreamWorks Dragons, DuckTales, Final Space, and Gen: LOCK. Tennant voiced characters in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Fish Hooks, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and The Legend of Vox Machina. He also starred as Phileas Fogg in the 2021 adaptation of Around the World in 80 Days and appeared in the BBC comedy series Staged, filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Film Career
David Tennant’s film career began with a small part in Michael Winterbottom’s 1996 drama Jude. His first major film role came in 1998 when he starred in the romantic dramedy L.A. Without a Map. He later appeared in The Last September, Being Considered, and Bright Young Things. Tennant’s big-screen breakout came in 2005 when he played Barty Crouch Jr. in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. In the years following, Tennant appeared in Glorious 39 and St Trinian’s 2: The Legend of Fritton’s Gold.
In 2010, Tennant voiced Spitelout in the animated film How to Train Your Dragon. The following year, he starred in The Decoy Bride and Fright Night. Tennant continued to voice characters in animated films such as The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!, Postman Pat: The Movie, and Ferdinand. He also appeared in What We Did on Our Holiday, Mad to Be Normal, Bad Samaritan, and Mary Queen of Scots.
Stage Career
David Tennant’s stage career has been just as prolific as his screen work. He began acting on stage in the late 1980s, appearing in productions such as Hay Fever, Tartuffe, Antigone, and Long Day’s Journey into Night. Tennant’s most successful partnership has been with the Royal Shakespeare Company, with whom he performed in As You Like It, The Herbal Bed, The Rivals, Romeo and Juliet, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Hamlet, and Richard II. Other notable stage productions Tennant has been part of include Lobby Hero, The Pillowman, Look Back in Anger, Don Juan in Soho, and Good.
David Tennant’s personal life has also been in the public eye. In 2011, Tennant married actress Georgia Moffett, whom he met on the set of Doctor Who. The couple shares five children: Olive, Wilfred, Doris, Birdie, and Ty, the latter of whom Georgia had from a previous relationship. Tennant and Moffett’s family life remains relatively private, despite their public careers.
