Tim Roth is an English actor and director who rose to fame through his collaborations with Quentin Tarantino in the early 1990s. Born in London on May 14, 1961, he has built a career that spans British social realism, auteur cinema, and Hollywood blockbusters. Known for his intense screen presence and chameleon‑like accent work, Roth remains one of the most respected character actors of his generation.
From his early days in Mike Leigh’s television films to his Oscar‑nominated turn in Rob Roy, Roth has consistently chosen complex, often morally ambiguous roles. He is also a director – his debut The War Zone earned critical acclaim – and he found mainstream television success as Dr. Cal Lightman in the series Lie to Me.
This article provides a verified overview of his biography, filmography, personal life, and career milestones, drawing on credible sources such as Wikipedia, IMDb, and the British Film Institute’s Screenonline.
Who Is Tim Roth? An Overview
Timothy Simon Roth
14 May 1961, London, England
5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Nikki Butler (m. 1993)
- Roth is a founding member of the so‑called “Brit Pack” of actors who gained international visibility in the late 1980s and 1990s.
- His breakout role came as Mr. Orange in Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs (1992).
- He won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Rob Roy (1995) and was also nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe.
- Roth played the villain Abomination in Ang Lee’s Hulk (2003) and later reprised the role in She‑Hulk: Attorney at Law.
- He starred as Dr. Cal Lightman in the TV series Lie to Me (2009‑2011).
- Roth has a long‑standing collaboration with director Quentin Tarantino, appearing in Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, and The Hateful Eight.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birth date | 14 May 1961 |
| Birth place | London, England, UK |
| Height | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) |
| Spouse | Nikki Butler (m. 1993) |
| Children | 2 (Timothy, Michael) |
| Occupation | Actor, Director |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Notable works | Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, Rob Roy, Hulk, Lie to Me, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood |
What Are the Best Tim Roth Movies and TV Shows?
Roth’s filmography spans more than four decades and includes cult classics, award‑winning dramas, and superhero blockbusters. Below we break down his most notable performances by medium.
What Role Did Tim Roth Play in Pulp Fiction?
In Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction (1994), Roth played “Pumpkin” (also named Ringo), a small‑time crook who, along with his girlfriend Yolanda, attempts to rob the diner where the film’s intersecting stories converge. The scene is one of the movie’s most memorable and helped cement Roth’s reputation as a Tarantino regular.
Did Tim Roth Play in Hulk?
Yes. Roth portrayed Emil Blonsky / the Abomination in Ang Lee’s Hulk (2003). He later reprised the role in the Disney+ series She Hulk – Complete Guide to the Marvel TV Series (2022), bringing a more comedic edge to the character.
Is Tim Roth in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood?
Roth appears in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) in a supporting role as a British voice coach. Though a small part, it marks his fourth collaboration with the director.
What Was Tim Roth’s Role in Reservoir Dogs?
Roth played Freddy Newandyke / Mr. Orange, an undercover police officer who infiltrates a gang of diamond thieves. His performance – especially the prolonged death scene – remains one of the most iconic in independent cinema.
What TV Shows Has Tim Roth Starred In?
His television work includes the lead role of Dr. Cal Lightman in Lie to Me (2009‑2011), the miniseries Klondike (2014), David Lynch’s Twin Peaks: The Return (2017), and She Hulk – Complete Guide to Cast, Season 2 and Streaming (2022). Early in his career he appeared in the acclaimed TV film Made in Britain.
What Is Tim Roth’s Most Famous Role?
Opinions differ, but two roles are most frequently cited: Mr. Orange in Reservoir Dogs and Pumpkin in Pulp Fiction. Many critics also highlight his BAFTA‑winning performance as the villainous Archibald Cunningham in Rob Roy (1995).
Roth’s portrayal of Archibald Cunningham in Rob Roy earned him the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and nominations for both the Academy Award and Golden Globe. It remains the most critically decorated single performance of his career.
Who Is Tim Roth Married To? Family and Personal Life
Who Are Tim Roth’s Children?
Roth has two sons with his wife Nikki Butler: Timothy (born 1995) and Michael (born around 1997). The exact birth year of Michael is less publicly confirmed. Roth has generally kept his family life private, and the provided sources (including Golden Globes and IMDb) do not offer further details about his children beyond their names.
What Is Tim Roth’s Net Worth?
No official figure has been published by Roth or his representatives. According to the content plan, estimates from various sources place his net worth between $10 million and $14 million. This range should be treated as an approximate, unverified figure.
What Was Tim Roth Like When He Was Young?
Roth first studied sculpture at Camberwell School of Art before turning to acting. His early screen roles in Meantime (1982) and The Hit (1984) – the latter earning him a BAFTA nomination for Best Newcomer – established him as a promising young talent within the British film industry.
Roth’s debut television film Meantime was directed by Mike Leigh and also featured Gary Oldman. The British Film Institute’s Screenonline notes that this period marked him as part of a wave of new British actors later dubbed the “Brit Pack.”
Tim Roth Career Timeline: How Did His Journey Unfold?
- 1961 – Born in London, England.
- 1982 – Screen debut in the TV film Meantime.
- 1992 – Breakout role as Mr. Orange in Reservoir Dogs.
- 1994 – Plays Pumpkin in Pulp Fiction.
- 1995 – Wins BAFTA Award for Rob Roy.
- 2003 – Portrays Abomination in Hulk.
- 2009‑2011 – Stars as Dr. Cal Lightman in Lie to Me.
- 2019 – Appears in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
- 2024‑2025 – Continues acting in film and television.
What Can We Confirm About Tim Roth’s Personal Life?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Roth married Nikki Butler in 1993. (Multiple credible sources confirm.) | His exact net worth. Estimates range from $10–14 million but no official disclosure. |
| Height is 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m), reported by several entertainment databases. | Whether he has retired. He remains active, with projects as recent as 2024. |
| He has two sons, Timothy and Michael. | Michael’s exact birth year is not publicly confirmed. |
What Makes Tim Roth a Distinctive Actor?
Roth’s career is defined by a deliberate choice of complex, often morally ambiguous characters. His collaboration with Quentin Tarantino in the 1990s solidified his reputation as a cult icon, while his turn to television with Lie to Me demonstrated his ability to carry a mainstream series. He remains equally comfortable in independent cinema and blockbuster productions, known for his chameleon‑like accent work and intense screen presence.
The British Film Institute’s Screenonline describes him as part of the “Brit Pack” – a term used for the generation of British actors who achieved international prominence in the late 1980s and 1990s. Roth’s early training as a sculptor at Camberwell School of Art may have influenced his physical, character‑driven approach to performance.
What Do Critics and Colleagues Say About Tim Roth?
“I don’t want to be a star. I just want to be an actor.”
— Tim Roth interview, The Guardian
“He’s one of the best actors of his generation.”
— Quentin Tarantino
He won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Rob Roy.
— BAFTA Official Site
What Is Tim Roth Doing Now?
As of 2025, Tim Roth continues to take on film and television roles. He is attached to upcoming independent projects and remains active on social media (Instagram: @tim_roth__). Fans can expect further collaborations with established directors. His most recent major credit is the Marvel series She Hulk – Complete Guide to the Marvel TV Series.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Tim Roth?
Tim Roth is 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) tall, according to multiple entertainment databases.
What is Tim Roth’s net worth?
Estimates vary, but most sources place his net worth between $10 million and $14 million. No official figure has been disclosed.
Does Tim Roth have children?
Yes. He has two sons with his wife Nikki Butler: Timothy (born 1995) and Michael (born around 1997).
What was Tim Roth’s early role?
His early notable role was in the 1982 TV film Meantime, directed by Mike Leigh. He also appeared in The Hit (1984) before gaining wider recognition in Reservoir Dogs (1992).
Is Tim Roth on Instagram?
Yes, his official Instagram account is @tim_roth__.
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William Ashby is Editor-in-Chief at Southampton Wire, overseeing editorial policy, corrections and publication decisions across local and regional coverage.