John Thaw, a working-class boy from Manchester, rose to fame as British television's most bankable actor due to his intense and natural honesty.
He began his studies at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, laying the foundation for his successful acting career.
Thaw's first starring role on TV was as Sgt John Mann in the 1964 series Redcap, but it was his portrayal of Detective Inspector Regan in The Sweeney (1975) that brought him his first great success.
The Sweeney, a violent and uncompromising drama, revolutionized the portrayal of police work on British television and cemented its place as one of the defining dramas of the 1970s.
In 1987, Thaw was cast as a policeman once again, this time as the more cultured Detective Inspector Morse in the leisurely-paced series set in beautiful Oxfordshire.
Inspector Morse, his most popular and long-running project, established Thaw as British television's most bankable actor and solidified his status as a household name.
During the 1990s, Thaw had many other starring vehicles, and he remained a favourite of film director Richard Attenborough, who cast him in Cry Freedom (1987) and Chaplin (1992).
Despite his success, John Thaw was a quiet and private man who cherished his marriage to actress Sheila Hancock, widely regarded as one of the strongest in showbusiness.
Tragically, Thaw passed away at the age of 60, leaving behind a legacy that continues to be celebrated by the viewing public. His "Inspector Morse" co-star Kevin Whately paid tribute to him, describing him as the country's finest screen actor.
