Biography

Lewis Collins

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An underrated British leading man predominantly of the 1970s and 1980s, Collins made his mark in the 1970s action drama The Professionals (1977). As hard man William Bodie, he became a household name worldwide, which led to him receiving his own movie vehicle in the form of The Final Option (1982); but after the show ended in 1983, he was miscast in a number of cheap straight-to-video foreign actioners.
- IMDb mini biography by: <James_Pinto@compuserve.com>
Lewis was educated at Birkenhead Secondary Modern School. .After leaving, he had numerous jobs, including delivery man, window cleaner and dishwasher. After six years with a rock band, he decided to become an actor, having listened to a play on the radio. He started in repertory, with his first part being a sentry in 'Dance of Death'. In the early 80's, he was scheduled for a part in 'Task Force '. In training for the role, he made 25 parachute jumps with the Territorial Parachute Reserves and six as a civilian, as a result breaking both ankles.
- IMDb mini biography by: Tonyman 5

Passed the actual selection course for 23 SAS, one of the SAS' two Territorial Army battalions, only to be turned away from the unit because of his celebrity status. He served as a private in the 10th Battalion Parachute Regiment (a Territorial Army unit).
He was considered for James Bond in the 1980s, but Albert R. Broccoli turned him down, thinking he was "too thuggish".
Holds a Private Pilot's License.
When 12 he joined his local rifle club, at 14 his team beat the Liverpool Police in target shooting.
He claimed to be 5'11", although he often looked the same height as Martin Shaw who was 5'8.5". Although in fairness, Martin Shaw had a permed hairstyle in "The Professionals" which would have added an inch or two.

After auditioning for the role of "James Bond": It would be nice to get back to the original Bond, not the character created by Sean Connery - but the one from the books. He's not over-handsome, over-tall. He's about my age and has got my attitudes... I was in Albert R. Broccoli's office for five minutes, but it was really over for me in seconds. I have heard since that he doesn't like me. That's unfair. He's expecting another Connery to walk through the door and there are few of them around. I think he's really shut the door on me. He found me too aggressive. I knew it all -- that kind of attitude. Two or three years ago that would be the case, purely because I was nervous and defensive. I felt they were playing the producer bit with fat cigars. When someone walks into their office for the most popular film job in the world, a little actor is bound to put on a few airs. If Cubby couldn't see I was being self-protective, I don't have faith in his judgment.

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