Thomas Stewart Baker MBE is an English actor and writer. He is best known for playing the fourth incarnation of 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 National Theatre company in 1968. His first major film role was as Rasputin in Nicholas and Alexandra (1971), for which he was nominated for two Golden Globes. Following supporting roles in genre films such as The Vault of Horror and The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (both 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 eccentric personality into the Doctor, became highly popular with audiences both in the UK and abroad; his incarnation is often considered the best and most quintessential of the programme's classic series. Baker appeared in the television series Medics (1992–1995), Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) (2000–2001) and Monarch of the Glen (2004–2005). He moved into voice acting later in his career, providing narration for the comedy series Little Britain (2003–2006) and Little Britain USA (2008). In 2006, his "sonorous" voice was voted the fourth-most recognisable in the UK.