Thomas Harold Amer, later known as Nicholas Amer, was born in the year 1923 in the town of Birkenhead, situated in the county of Merseyside, within the boundaries of England.
As a young man, Amer, then just 18 years of age, took the bold step of enlisting in the esteemed Royal Navy, where he would go on to serve as a wireless officer for a period of four years during the tumultuous era of World War II.
Throughout his time in the Royal Navy, Amer was actively involved in the war effort, seeing action in the North African theatre of operations. Moreover, he was wounded during the Allied Invasion of Sicily, which took place in the year 1943.
After the cessation of hostilities in 1945, Amer embarked on a new career as an actor, undertaking a rigorous education at the prestigious Webber-Douglas Academy Drama School from 1946 to 1948. During his time at the institution, he distinguished himself by winning the coveted Best Actor Award in his final year, a distinction that was presented to him by the renowned Sir Donald Wolfit.
Amer's passion for the works of William Shakespeare drove him to dedicate himself to the stage, and he went on to perform with a variety of esteemed companies, including The Old Vic Company, The Oxford Playhouse Company, and others. His tireless efforts took him to 31 countries around the world, earning him widespread recognition and acclaim.
One of the highlights of his career came when he was awarded the Best Foreign Actor Award in Buenos Aires, Argentina, a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication to his craft.
Amer's remarkable career trajectory took a significant turn in 1953 when the renowned theatre director John Gielgud extended an invitation to him to portray the esteemed character 'Green' in his production of William Shakespeare's masterpiece, Richard II, featuring the illustrious Paul Scofield in the title role.
Subsequently, Amer embarked on an extensive international tour with the esteemed Old Vic Company, bringing to life a diverse array of Shakespeare's iconic characters, including the impassioned Romeo, the conflicted Laertes, the charming Ferdinand, and the brooding Hamlet.
In addition to his work with the Old Vic Company, Amer also appeared in numerous West End productions, showcasing his remarkable versatility as a thespian. Notable among these performances were his roles in The Wolf, a gripping drama that co-starred the incomparable Judi Dench and the talented Leo McKern; Captain Brassbound's Conversion, a captivating production that featured the accomplished Penelope Keith; and A Man for All Seasons, a critically acclaimed play that boasted the presence of the legendary Charlton Heston.
Amer embarked on a significant cultural expedition in 1960, traversing the vast and diverse territories of India, Pakistan, and Ceylon alongside The Oxford Playhouse Company, assuming the role of Andrew Aguecheek in the timeless Shakespearean masterpiece, Twelfth Night.
Years later, in 1963, Amer took the bold step of establishing his own theatrical company, Voyage Theatre, in collaboration with esteemed fellow actors Harold Lang and Greville Hallam. This innovative venture aimed to showcase the versatility of acting techniques through the production of a unique play, Macbeth in Camera, which the trio had penned themselves.
This groundbreaking production was subsequently dispatched on a remarkable three-year, long-distance journey around the world, courtesy of the British Council, allowing it to captivate audiences in numerous countries and solidify its place in the annals of theatrical history.
Amer's television career commenced in the pioneering era of television broadcasting with a pivotal role in the esteemed medical soap opera, Emergency-Ward 10, which premiered in 1957, marking the beginning of his illustrious journey in the world of television.
He subsequently appeared in a diverse array of television shows and films, showcasing his remarkable acting prowess, including the critically acclaimed historical drama, I, Claudius, which aired in 1976, and the critically acclaimed theatrical adaptation, The Tragedy of Coriolanus, which premiered in 1984.
His impressive repertoire also includes the esteemed television miniseries, Fortunes of War, which was broadcast in 1987, as well as the historical drama series, Borgia, which aired in 2011, and the science fiction drama series, Heroes Return, which premiered in 2012.
In addition to his extensive work in television, Amer has also appeared in several notable films, including the critically acclaimed fantasy adventure, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, which was released in 2016, further solidifying his reputation as a talented and versatile actor.
Beyond his illustrious acting career, Amer has embarked on a concurrent journey as a teacher, imparting his expertise at several esteemed drama schools, with notable institutions including the Central School, the Webber-Douglas School, the Rose Bruford School, and Drama Centre.
He has also shared his knowledge with students in foreign lands, conducting classes in Australia and Egypt, thereby further expanding his reach and impact as a mentor and educator.
