Tom Beard was born on April 25, 1965, in London, to a family of artistic and medical professionals. His father, Charles, was a surgeon, and his mother, Trish, was a flautist. Tom had a younger brother, Alex, who would later become the CEO of the Royal Opera House. Growing up, Tom was an athletic child and excelled in various sports. He reached the finals of the Lancashire Rugby Sevens at the age of 11 and was a member of the first XI teams for both cricket and football at Westminster School.
After graduating from the University of Sussex with a degree in German and Politics, Tom enrolled at the Webber Douglas Acting school in London. He was soon spotted by an agent and cast as Laertes in Peter Hall's 1994 production of "Hamlet". This role marked the beginning of a successful career with the Royal Shakespeare Company, during which he appeared in numerous productions.
In addition to his work on stage, Tom also had a successful television career, appearing in a range of popular dramas, including "Poirot" and "Midsomer Murders". Outside of acting, Tom was an avid angler and respected gardener. He was also a lifelong fan of Chelsea Football Club.
Tragically, Tom's life was cut short when he was diagnosed with cancer in January 2015. He passed away on July 20, leaving behind his wife, Polly, and their two children, Ella and Joe.
