Biography
George Baker first began acting in theater soon after he graduated from Lancing College in Sussex, England. In 1953, he appeared in the drama "The Intruder," marking his cinematic debut. He earned a starring role in his second film, appearing alongside Richard Attenborough as an ex-serviceman who becomes a smuggler in the 1955 crime drama "The Ship that Died of Shame." That same year he also appeared in another starring role in "The Woman for Joe," playing the title character, a man who owns a circus sideshow. He also had a third major part playing real-life Flight Lieutenant D.J.H. Maltby in "The Dam Busters," which told the story of risky British bombing runs during World War II. In 1956, he appeared on television for the first time with a part in the anthology series "Adventure Theater." 1959 marked his first recurring role, starring in the crime series "Nick of the River," which was based on the biography of a real-life police detective. In 1967, he had his first role in a James Bond film with an uncredited role playing a NASA engineer in "You Only Live Twice." He later appeared in two more Bond films, playing genealogist Sir Hilary Bray in 1969's "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" and Royal Navy Captain Benson in 1977's "The Spy Who Loved Me." More recently, Baker has appeared on programs such as the long-running British soap "Coronation Street" in 2003, and the spy show "Spooks" in 2005.
