Paul Copley
Born November 25, 1944 (Age: 81)
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Denby Dale, West Yorkshire, England, UK
Biography
Paul is a long established and much respected British actor and voiceover artist. Born in Denby Dale, West Riding of Yorkshire, on 25th November 1944 he grew up beside a dairy farm. His father, Harold, was involved with local amateur dramatic productions, as were the rest of his family. He went to Penistone Grammar School, then the Northern Counties College of Education in Newcastle upon Tyne, where he received an Associate of the Drama Board (ADB) in Drama. He taught English and Drama in Walthamstow, before he joined the Leeds Playhouse Theatre-in-education Company in 1971. In 1976, Paul won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a New Play for his role in John Wilson's For King and Country. With many and varied roles to follow, Paul soon established himself as one of the UK's leading stage, film, television and radio actors. In 2011-2015 Paul gained worldwide recognition appearing in 16 episodes of the hugely popular television series Downton Abbey playing the popular role of farmer Mr Mason. Paul is married to the actress Natasha Pyne. They married in 1972, after both performing in a Leeds Playhouse production of Frank Wedekind's Lulu, adapted by Peter Barnes, directed by Bill Hays in 1971.
Paul is a long established and much respected British actor and voiceover artist.
Born in Denby Dale, West Riding of Yorkshire, on 25th November 1944 he grew up beside a dairy farm. His father, Harold, was involved with local amateur dramatic productions, as were the rest of his family. He went to Penistone Grammar School, then the Northern Counties College of Education in Newcastle upon Tyne, where he received an Associate of the Drama Board (ADB) in Drama. He taught English and Drama in Walthamstow, before he joined the Leeds Playhouse Theatre-in-education Company in 1971.
In 1976, Paul won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a New Play for his role in John Wilson's For King and Country.
With many and varied roles to follow, Paul soon established himself as one of the UK's leading stage, film, television and radio actors.
In 2011-2015 Paul gained worldwide recognition appearing in 16 episodes of the hugely popular television series Downton Abbey playing the popular role of farmer Mr Mason.
Paul is married to the actress Natasha Pyne. They married in 1972, after both performing in a Leeds Playhouse production of Frank Wedekind's Lulu, adapted by Peter Barnes, directed by Bill Hays in 1971.
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Filmography
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale
2025
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as Albert Mason
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Age: 80
Downton Abbey: A New Era
2022
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as Mason
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Age: 77
The Nest Egg
2016
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as
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Age: 71
When Kim & Aggie Went To Hospital
2006
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as Self - Narrator (voice)
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Age: 61
The Many Lives of Albert Walker
2002
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as Danny Peck
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Age: 57
Blow Dry
2001
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as Ken
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Age: 56
Hornblower: The Examination for Lieutenant
1998
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as Mathews
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Age: 53
Hornblower: The Even Chance
1998
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as Matthews
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Age: 53
Written in Blood
1998
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as Brian Chappel
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Age: 53
Jude
1996
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as Mr. Willis
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Age: 51
A Pinch of Snuff
1994
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as Charlie Heppelwhite
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Age: 49
The Remains of the Day
1993
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as Harry Smith
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Age: 48
No Image
How's Business
1991
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as Jack
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Age: 46
Testimony of a Child
1989
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as Gerry
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Age: 44
Silas Marner
1985
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as William Dane
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Age: 41
Which Side Are You On?
1985
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as Narrator (voice)
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Age: 40
Bird Fancier
1985
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as Roy Pearson
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Age: 40
P.Q. 17
1981
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as PO Jordan
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Age: 37
No Image
A Room for the Winter
1981
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as Robert
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Age: 36
A Brush with Mr. Porter on the Road to El Dorado
1981
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as Tom
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Age: 36
Happy
1980
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as Vernon
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Age: 35
Death of a Princess
1980
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as Steve Jackson
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Age: 35
Zulu Dawn
1979
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as Cpl. Storey
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Age: 34
On a Paving Stone Mounted
1978
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as
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Age: 34
Travellers
1978
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as Young William/Middle William/Sales Rep
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Age: 33
Mucking Out
1978
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as Brian Wilson
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Age: 33
The Turkey Who Lives on the Hill
1978
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as Bill
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Age: 33
Destiny
1978
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as Paul McShane
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Age: 33
No Image
Some Enchanted Evening
1978
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as Peter
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Age: 33
A Bridge Too Far
1977
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as Pvt. Wicks
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Age: 32
The Chester Mystery Plays
1976
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as
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Age: 31
Father Dear Father
1973
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as Dumbo
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Age: 28
Speech Day
1973
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as Woodwork Master
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Age: 28