John Altman (born 2 March 1952) is an English actor, perhaps best known for playing "Nasty" Nick Cotton in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders.
Altman was born in Reading, Berkshire. He made his acting debut in the 1979 film The First Great Train Robbery playing a minor role. Later that same year he played musician George Harrison in the biopic TV movie Birth of the Beatles. He made brief appearances in several other popular films including Quadrophenia and An American Werewolf in London. Altman also featured in a 1982 short public information film, "Stupid Git", part of the British government's campaign against drink-driving.
He then became famous for playing Nick Cotton in the BBC television soap opera EastEnders. He appeared in the first ever episode of the soap in 1985 and has played the role intermittently from 1985 to 1993, briefly in 1998 and most recently from 2000 to 2001.
He also appeared in an adult pantomime which released on video in 1994 titled Pussy in Boots. In the pantomime he appeared alongside fellow EastEnders stars Mike Reid and Barbara Windsor.
In 2001 he also won the Rear of the Year Award alongside Claire Sweeney. In the same year he also performed in the Leiber and Stoller tribute evening at the Hammersmith Apollo, singing Trouble, originally performed by Elvis.
He has since been more active in theatre most notably touring around the UK playing Billy Flynn in the long-running musical Chicago. He also appeared in the John Godber written stage play Bouncers opposite fellow soap actor Nigel Pivaro who is best known for playing Terry Duckworth in Coronation Street.
In 2004 he made an appearance in the comedy sketch series Bo Selecta as his EastEnders character and played a minor role in the direct-to-video film Hell To Pay in 2005. In 2006, Altman was set to appear in an upcoming British movie thriller called It's Been Real, the trailer can be seen on Youtube. It still has yet to be released in cinemas. Recently he appeared on a TV Goodies/Baddies episode of the game show Weakest Link in March 2007 but did not win.
Altman married Brigitte in 1986 and they divorced in 1997. He has one daughter named Rosanna. John Altman moved to Kent as a young child, he attended the Community College Whitstable, then known as the 'Sir William Nottidge. He returned to his old school on Thursday 22nd November at the schools annual awards evening, as the guest speaker. He gave an inspiring & entertaining speech to all, especially the students.
He is in panto this year in Darlington.
