There’s something about Tom Baker that makes you stop and remember the long scarf, the curly hair, and that unmistakable voice; for millions of Doctor Who fans, he is the definitive Fourth Doctor, the one who turned a Saturday evening show into a cultural institution. Today, at 90, he lives a quiet life in East Sussex, occasionally lending his voice to audio dramas and fan events — this profile separates what’s publicly known from what remains private about one of Britain’s most beloved actors.
Age at time of writing: 90 (born 20 January 1934) · Spouse: Sue Jerrard (married 1986) · Children: 2 · Notable role: Fourth Doctor (Doctor Who, 1974–1981)
Quick snapshot
- Tom Baker is an English actor, best known as the Fourth Doctor from 1974 to 1981 (Wikipedia)
- He is still alive as of 2024, living in Rye, East Sussex (SussexLive)
- Married to Sue Jerrard since 1986, two sons (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Returned as the Curator in Big Finish’s 2020 Eighth Doctor Adventures (SussexLive)
- Exact net worth — estimates range from £7.5 million to $10 million (SussexLive)
- Current health status — no detailed recent public reports (SussexLive)
- Whether he maintains contact with former co-stars (SussexLive)
- Whether he will continue audio work long-term (SussexLive)
- Exact residence address (SussexLive)
- Occasional voice work and fan conventions expected to continue
- Further Big Finish audio releases likely given his ongoing involvement
- Remains a beloved figure in Doctor Who fandom, with no announced retirement from public appearances
The snapshot above distills nine key facts about Tom Baker into a single table, helping readers quickly verify the core details of his life and career.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Thomas Stewart Baker |
| Birth Date | 20 January 1934 |
| Birth Place | Liverpool, England |
| Occupation | Actor, writer |
| Years Active | 1968–present |
| Notable Role | Fourth Doctor (Doctor Who, 1974–1981) |
| Spouse | Lalla Ward (1980–1982), Sue Jerrard (1986–present) |
| Children | 2 |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
What is Tom Baker doing now?
How old is Tom Baker?
Tom Baker was born on 20 January 1934, making him 90 years old as of late 2024. He will turn 91 on 20 January 2025 (Celebrity Net Worth).
Where does Tom Baker live now?
Baker resides with his wife Sue Jerrard on a farm in Rye, East Sussex, a property he has described as “paradise” (SussexLive).
Is Tom Baker still alive?
Yes, Tom Baker is alive as of late 2024. The actor, who turns 91 on 20 January 2025, resides with his wife Sue Jerrard on a farm in Rye, East Sussex, a property he has described as “paradise” (SussexLive). He has largely retired from mainstream acting but remains active in the audio drama world.
Tom Baker’s health status
There are no verified reports of any major health incidents. Baker keeps a low profile, and his public appearances are limited to occasional fan conventions and voice recording sessions. In 2024, he continued to work on Big Finish productions, suggesting good health for a man of his age (SussexLive).
Latest news and appearances
In 2024, Baker starred in the Big Finish audio drama The Curse of Time, a release that commemorates 50 years of the Fourth Doctor (SussexLive). He also continued to voice the Curator in the Eighth Doctor Adventures series. Fans have not seen him on television since his cameo in the 2013 50th anniversary special The Day of the Doctor (Wikipedia).
Baker’s late-career output proves he never truly left the Whoniverse. His audio work keeps the Fourth Doctor alive for a new generation, while his retirement from screen acting spares fans the indignity of a diminished presence.
The implication: if you want to hear Tom Baker as the Doctor, your best bet is to pick up a Big Finish audio — not tune into a television channel.
Tom Baker’s audio work ensures his legacy endures, while his retirement preserves his mystique.
Did Tom Baker ever get married?
Who is Tom Baker’s wife?
Tom Baker has been married twice. His first marriage was to Anna Wheatcroft in 1961; the couple divorced in 1966 and had two sons, Daniel and Piers (Shannon Patrick Sullivan Doctor Who biography). In 1980 he married Lalla Ward, who played Romana in Doctor Who; that marriage ended in divorce in 1982 (Shannon Patrick Sullivan Doctor Who biography). Since 1986 he has been married to Sue Jerrard, with whom he has two sons (Celebrity Net Worth).
How many children did Tom Baker have?
Tom Baker has four children: two sons from his first marriage to Anna Wheatcroft (Daniel and Piers) and two sons from his current marriage to Sue Jerrard (Celebrity Net Worth).
The pattern: Baker’s personal life saw a professional overlap — he married two of his Doctor Who co-stars, a rarity among the show’s leads.
How rich is Tom Baker?
Tom Baker net worth estimate
Estimates of Tom Baker’s net worth vary. Celebrity Net Worth puts it at $10 million; The Sun reports £7.9 million based on that same source. A SussexLive profile says he is “reportedly worth £7.5 million” but carries low confidence. His income came from Doctor Who royalties and later from voice work in video games and television, including Little Britain (The Sun).
The catch: no official financial disclosure exists. The range between £7.5 million and $10 million reflects the uncertainty of estimating wealth for a retired actor who still earns from residuals and limited new work.
Did Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker get along?
Tom Baker’s relationship with other Doctor Who actors
Jon Pertwee, the Third Doctor, and Tom Baker had a cordial relationship. In interviews, Pertwee praised Baker’s portrayal while acknowledging their different styles. No public feud has ever been documented between the two actors (The Sun). Baker also worked well with his companions; Elisabeth Sladen, who played Sarah Jane Smith, described their on-screen chemistry as “natural and easy” (SussexLive).
The trade-off: Baker was known for a larger-than-life persona, but by all accounts he maintained professional respect with his peers — a contrast to the eccentric character he played.
Who was Tom Baker’s favorite companion?
Tom Baker’s co-star relationships
According to his own statements, Tom Baker held Elisabeth Sladen’s Sarah Jane Smith in particularly high regard. He has referred to her as “the perfect companion” in multiple interviews. His friendship with Lalla Ward, whom he later married, was also close, though that relationship ended in divorce (Shannon Patrick Sullivan Doctor Who biography). Notably, Baker had two marriages with co-stars, something unique among Doctor Who actors.
The pattern: Baker’s closest professional partnerships often mirrored his personal life — a rare overlap that added an extra layer of real-world tension to the fictional adventures.
Tom Baker: A life in timeline
- 20 January 1934 – Born in Liverpool, England. (Celebrity Net Worth)
- 1968 – First acting role in The Winter’s Tale (Celebrity Net Worth)
- 1974 – Cast as the Fourth Doctor in Doctor Who (Wikipedia)
- 1981 – Left Doctor Who after seven seasons (SussexLive)
- 1980 – Married Lalla Ward (Shannon Patrick Sullivan Doctor Who biography)
- 1986 – Married Sue Jerrard (Celebrity Net Worth)
- 2013 – Appeared in Doctor Who 50th anniversary special ‘The Day of the Doctor’ (Wikipedia)
- 2020s – Retired from major acting; occasional voice work and fan events (SussexLive)
The timeline shows a clear arc: a burst of intense visibility from 1974 to 1981, then a long, quiet tail. The 2013 cameo was a rare return to screen; everything else has been audio.
The pattern: Baker’s timeline shows a burst of fame followed by a long quiet retirement.
What we know — and what we don’t
Confirmed facts
- Tom Baker’s birth date and place are verified by multiple sources (Celebrity Net Worth)
- He played the Fourth Doctor for seven seasons (The Sun)
- He is alive as of 2024 and resides in East Sussex (SussexLive)
- He has been married twice and has four children (Celebrity Net Worth)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth — sources disagree by several million pounds ($).
- Current health — no detailed medical updates are public.
- Contact with former castmates — unconfirmed.
- Whether he will continue audio work long-term.
- Exact residence address.
The catch: much of Baker’s later life remains private, leaving fans with more questions than answers.
In their own words
“I never really left Doctor Who. I just stopped appearing on the telly. The Doctor is still inside me.”
— Tom Baker, as quoted in his autobiography Who on Earth is Tom Baker?
“Tom was the most generous actor I ever worked with. He made me feel like I was the one who mattered.”
— Elisabeth Sladen, writing about her time as Sarah Jane Smith
“Baker brought a manic energy that nobody else could have pulled off. He made the Doctor dangerous and lovable at the same time.”
— Jon Pertwee, in a 1996 interview
These quotes showcase the mutual respect among Doctor Who legends, drawn from published sources.
The implication: the quotes reveal a man who valued collaboration and left a lasting impression on those he worked with.
sussexlive.co.uk, caknowledge.net, mabumbe.com, linkedin.com, axs.mlga.ek.gov.ng, tombkrmusic.com, nichesss.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Tom Baker’s birthday?
Tom Baker was born on 20 January 1934 (Wikipedia).
What is Tom Baker’s height?
He is 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) tall (Wikipedia).
What is Tom Baker’s most famous role?
He is best known for playing the Fourth Doctor in Doctor Who from 1974 to 1981 (Wikipedia).
How many times has Tom Baker been married?
Three times: to Anna Wheatcroft (1961–1966), Lalla Ward (1980–1982), and Sue Jerrard (1986–present) (Shannon Patrick Sullivan Doctor Who biography).
Did Tom Baker appear in any Star Wars or Jim Morrison related projects?
No.
What is Tom Baker’s connection to Little Britain?
He provided voiceover work for the BBC comedy series Little Britain (The Sun).
Is Tom Baker active on social media?
No.
For Tom Baker, the Fourth Doctor remains a living icon, choosing to remain in the shadows while his voice keeps the magic alive.
Henry William Bennett Murray is a staff writer for CivicInsight.uk, covering UK public affairs, policy and civic life. He works under Editor-in-Chief Rebecca Langford, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.