| First professional stage role with Group Theatre, Belfast |
| Played rugby and soccer for Northern Ireland while a management trainee |
1959 | London stage debut at Royal Court Theatre in "Cock-a-Doodle-Dandy" |
1960 | Film acting debut as Loudmouth in Karel Reisz's "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning" |
1961 | Joined Royal Shakespeare Company for one season (subsequently returned to Royal Court) |
1963 | After featured role in "This Sporting Life" (1963), joined National Theatre, London; remained company member for five years |