Ross Boatman
{{Short description|English actor and poker player (born 1964)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2016}}
{{Infobox poker player
| name = Ross Boatman
| image = Ross Boatman 2023.jpg
| caption = Boatman in 2023
| nickname = Rocky Ross
| residence = London, England
| birth_name = Ross Maxim Boatman
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|03|03|df=y}}
| birth_place = King's Cross, London, England
| years_active = 1987–present
| wsop bracelet count = None
| wsop money finishes = 12
| wsop main event best finish rank = 34th
| wsop main event best finish year = 2002
| wpt titles = None
| wpt final tables = None
| wpt money finishes = 3
| ept titles = None
| ept final tables = 1
| ept money finishes = 1
}}
Ross Maxim Boatman (born 3 March 1964) is an English actor, professional poker player and a member of the poker-playing group the Hendon Mob. He is known for the role of firefighter Kevin Medhurst in the ITV drama series London's Burning from 1988 to 1995 and again in 2000. He appeared as Derek in the BBC Two sitcom Mum from 2016 to 2019, before starring in Stay Close on Netflix in 2021, and then joined the cast of the BBC One soap opera EastEnders as Harvey Monroe.
Acting
Boatman was born in Camden, London. After completing his training at RADA, Boatman began his acting career in fringe theatre. He began working as a television actor in 1988, appearing in an episode of The StoryTeller ("The Luck Child") and Dramarama, before earning his best-known role as fireman Kevin Medhurst in the long-running television series London's Burning. Boatman portrayed Medhurst in over 100 episodes between 1988 and 1995, and again in 2000. His other television roles include A Touch of Frost, three episodes of The Bill (in 2006 and 2 episodes in 2009), Murder in Mind, Dream Team, and ITV's 2005 drama Planespotting. He appeared in the award-winning West End play Dealer's Choice by Patrick Marber.{{Cite web |title=Ross Boatman |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0090226/ |access-date=8 August 2006 |publisher=Internet Movie Database |archive-date=31 October 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051031223218/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0090226/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Blue Watch Star's Red Hot at Poker |url=http://www.londons-burning.co.uk/poker_rb.htm |access-date=8 August 2006 |publisher=News of the World |archive-date=1 January 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060101063953/http://www.londons-burning.co.uk/poker_rb.htm |url-status=live }} Boatman starred in a NatWest bank television advertisement in 2015{{Cite web|title = NatWest Advert Song – 'I Got Bills' Reward Current Account {{!}} TV Advert Music|url = https://www.sounds-familiar.info/2015/10/natwest-reward-current-account/|website = Sounds-familiar.info|date = 22 October 2015|accessdate = 29 October 2015|archive-date = 4 November 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171104104633/http://www.sounds-familiar.info/2015/10/natwest-reward-current-account/|url-status = live}} playing a father who struggled with his utility bills.
On the big screen, Boatman has appeared in the gangster film Hard Men and as a rock star in the comedy Bring Me the Head of Mavis Davis. He famously turned down a role in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels as he had just completed filming Hard Men and feared being typecast. More recently, Boatman has appeared in alongside Clive Owen and Charlotte Rampling in the Mike Hodges film I'll Sleep When I'm Dead.{{cite book | last = Wilson | first = Des | title = Swimming with the Devilfish | publisher = Macmillan | year = 2006 | isbn = 1-4050-8952-0 }}{{Cite web |last=Devine |first=Christy |date=July 16, 2004 |title=The Hendon Mob |url=https://www.cardplayer.com/cardplayer-poker-magazines/65540-josh-arieh-17-15/articles/14128-the-hendon-mob |access-date=2024-04-06 |publisher=Card Player Magazine |archive-date=21 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321183502/http://www.cardplayer.com/cardplayer-poker-magazines/65540-josh-arieh-17-15/articles/14128-the-hendon-mob |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Ross Boatman – Poker Player Profile |url=http://www.pokerlistings.com/poker-player_ross-boatman?show=bio |access-date=8 August 2006 |publisher=www.PokerListings.com |archive-date=27 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927192522/http://www.pokerlistings.com/poker-player_ross-boatman?show=bio |url-status=live }} Boatman has maintained he has a preference for acting rather than poker, although he finds poker easier to profit from. In June 2021, his casting on the BBC soap opera EastEnders was announced.{{Cite news |date=9 June 2021 |title=London's Burning star to make EastEnders debut this summer |language=en-GB |work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/londons-burning-star-to-make-eastenders-debut-this-summer/40521580.html |access-date=24 August 2023 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824125823/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/londons-burning-star-to-make-eastenders-debut-this-summer/40521580.html |url-status=live }} Boatman made his debut appearance as Harvey Monroe in July 2021.{{cite news |last1=Dainty |first1=Sophie |title=EastEnders casts Ross Boatman for big Bobby Beale storyline |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a36671353/eastenders-spoilers-ross-boatman-harvey-monroe-dana-bobby/ |access-date=9 June 2021 |work=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Magazines UK |date=9 June 2021 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225154710/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a36671353/eastenders-spoilers-ross-boatman-harvey-monroe-dana-bobby/ |url-status=live }} For his portrayal of the role, he won the British Soap Award for Best Newcomer.{{cite news |last1=Warner |first1=Sam |title=British Soap Awards 2022 announces full nominations shortlist |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/a39952260/british-soap-awards-2022-nominations-shortlist/ |access-date=11 May 2022 |work=Digital Spy |publisher=(Hearst Communications) |date=10 May 2022 |archive-date=13 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613093149/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/a39952260/british-soap-awards-2022-nominations-shortlist/ |url-status=live }}
Poker
File:Rossboatman2.jpg Omaha event.]]
In the 1970s, Boatman observed his older brother Barny playing poker against his friends at their house. He begged to become involved in the game, and although initially dissuaded by his brother, he sat down and played his first poker session. Barny went on to teach him in the mid-'70s, and by the age of 12 Boatman was gambling at "pitch and toss" behind his school gym. In the early 1980s, he regularly observed a poker game in his local pool hall, where he learnt the basics of poker strategy. Soon after he began playing poker events whenever he had the opportunity, and turned professional in 1992.
Together with his brother, Boatman began attending a poker game in North London run by Joe Beevers and Ram Vaswani. The four quickly formed an ongoing friendship, and began travelling to poker events throughout Europe together. This became such a regular sight that the four were later dubbed "The Hendon Mob".{{Cite web |title="Rocky" Ross Boatman |url=http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/rossBoatman.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060720223355/http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/rossBoatman.php |archive-date=20 July 2006 |access-date=3 August 2006 |publisher=Full Tilt Poker}} Ross and the rest of the Hendon Mob were invited by Nic Szeremeta to appear in the brand new Late Night Poker television series, and supported the then-questionable idea of using a hole cam to make poker into a spectator sport. He appeared in all 6 series of the show, but had his best run at the title in the second season. He reached the final by defeating Hemish Shah in the runners-up final to advance to the grand final, where he finished 2nd to Simon Trumper.{{Cite web |title=Late Night Poker Series 2, No Limit Hold'em – Grand Final |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=672 |access-date=28 March 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en |archive-date=24 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324210759/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=672 |url-status=live }}
Like the rest of the Hendon Mob, Boatman has become a regular fixture at the World Series of Poker (WSOP), where he made his first final table in 2002 in the pot limit Omaha event. He finished 7th in the event, where he and Barny became the first brothers to make the same WSOP final table. In the same year he finished in the money of the $10,000 no limit Texas hold 'em main event, eventually going out in 34th place out of 631 entrants. Boatman has also had success in the European Poker Tour (EPT), where he made the final table of its largest ever event – the second grand final, finishing in 6th place for €140,000.{{Cite web |title=33rd World Series of Poker – WSOP 2002, Pot Limit Omaha |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=4395 |access-date=28 March 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en |archive-date=28 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328154129/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=4395 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=33rd World Series of Poker – WSOP 2002, Championship Event |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=4426 |access-date=28 March 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407074835/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=4426 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=European Poker Tour – EPT Monte Carlo Grand Final, No Limit Hold'em – EPT Grand Final |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=15906 |access-date=28 March 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en |archive-date=8 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108002820/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=15906 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Ross Boatman |url=http://www.homepokergames.com/rossboatman.php |access-date=3 August 2006 |publisher=www.HomePokerGames.com |archive-date=26 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061026193826/http://www.homepokergames.com/rossboatman.php |url-status=live }}
His titles include:
- FF 3,000 no limit hold 'em, Autumn Tournament 1999;{{Cite web |title=Autumn Tournament 1999, No Limit Hold'em |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=16401 |access-date=28 March 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en |archive-date=28 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328154223/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=16401 |url-status=live }}
- £100 pot limit hold 'em, Christmas Cracker 2001;{{Cite web |title=Christmas Cracker Tournament 2001, Pot Limit Holdem |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=969 |access-date=28 March 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en |archive-date=28 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328154513/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=969 |url-status=live }}
- €300 pot limit Omaha, Austrian Masters 2002;{{Cite web |title=Austrian Masters 2002, Pot Limit Omaha |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=1096 |access-date=28 March 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en |archive-date=28 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328154322/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=1096 |url-status=live }}
- £2,000 no limit hold 'em, European Poker Championships 2002;{{Cite web |title=European Poker Classics 2002, No Limit Holdem |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=1203 |access-date=28 March 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en |archive-date=11 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511020945/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=1203 |url-status=live }}
- €400 pot limit Omaha, Irish Winter Tournament 2002;{{Cite web |title=The Irish Winter Tournament 2002, Pot Limit Omaha |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=1220 |access-date=28 March 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en |archive-date=11 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511021002/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=1220 |url-status=live }}
- £200 pot limit Omaha hi-lo, British Open 2004.{{Cite web |title=British Open 2004, Pot Limit Omaha Hi/Lo |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=14275 |access-date=24 March 2024 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en |archive-date=24 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324215012/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=14275 |url-status=live }}
In addition to the above, Boatman has written over 20 articles{{cite web|url=http://www.thehendonmob.com/ross_boatman/2005|title=Articles by Ross Boatman|publisher=The Hendon Mob|author=Boatman, Ross|accessdate=3 August 2006|archive-date=20 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080520112045/http://www.thehendonmob.com/ross_boatman/2005|url-status=live}} on The Hendon Mob's website and also authored a poker lesson for [http://www.internettexasholdem.com/ internettexasholdem.com].{{cite web|url=http://www.internettexasholdem.com/pokertutor/setInfo.php?siid=31|title=Ross Boatman: NL Cash|publisher=InternetTexasHoldem.com|author=Boatman, Ross|accessdate=3 August 2006|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060815000311/http://www.internettexasholdem.com/pokertutor/setInfo.php?siid=31|archivedate=15 August 2006}} After 3 years of sponsorship by the Prima Poker Network, he is now sponsored by Full Tilt Poker. As of 2024, his total live tournament winnings exceed $2,000,000.{{Cite web |title=Ross Boatman's profile on The Hendon Mob |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224023024/https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=4 |archive-date=24 December 2023 |access-date=24 December 2023 |website=The Hendon Mob Poker Database |language=en}}
Personal life
His partner is photographer Sarah Jeynes. Boatman resides in Holloway and has three children.{{cite web|url=http://www.thehendonmob.com/joe_beevers/the_sincerest_form_of_flattery.html|title=The Sincerest Form of Flattery|publisher=The Hendon Mob|author=Beevers, Joe|authorlink=Joe Beevers|accessdate=8 August 2006|archive-date=13 August 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060813151731/http://www.thehendonmob.com/joe_beevers/the_sincerest_form_of_flattery.html|url-status=dead}}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| 1987
| The Finding | Policeman | Television film |
| 1989
| Security Guard | |
| 1996
| Hard Men | Bear | |
| 1997
| Bring Me the Head of Mavis Davis | Rock Star | |
| 2002
| Turner – The Man Who Painted Britain | Turner | Television film |
| rowspan="2"|2003
| Policeman | Television film |
| I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
| Malone, Chauffeur | |
| rowspan="2"|2004
| Wall of Silence | DC Ian Ashby | Television film |
| Can't Buy Me Love
| DS Colin Briggs | Television film |
| rowspan="3"|2005
| Planespotting | Steve Rush | Television film |
| X-Mass
| Dad | Short film |
| Ripley Under Ground
| Taxi Cab Driver | |
| rowspan="2"|2006
| Good Girl, Bad Girl | Joshua | Television film |
| Penelope
| Cheery Dealer | |
| 2007
| Detective | |
| 2010
| Pub Landlord | |
| 2013
| Three Stops Down From Plaistow | Charlie | Short film |
| 2014
| Trader | |
| rowspan="2"|2015
| Hooligans at War: North vs. South | Charlie | |
| Essex Boys: Law of Survival
| Franks | |
| 2020
| Bicycle Thief | John | Short film |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| rowspan="3"|1988
| Page | Episode: "The Luck Child" |
| All in Good Faith
| Trevor Collins | Episode: "The Prodigal Son" |
| Dramarama
| Soldier | Episode: "Now You See Them" |
| 1988–1995, 2000
| Kevin Medhurst | Main role |
| 1989
| Gary Austin | Episode: "Death of a Son" |
| rowspan="3"|1999
| Owen Kimble | Episode: "Private Lives" |
| Daylight Robbery
| Alan McArdale | Main role |
| The Bill
| Steve Bennett | Episode: "Security" |
| 2001
| Swallow | Bob | 1 episode |
| rowspan="2"|2002
| Spencer | Episode: "Gangsters" |
| Murder in Mind
| Detective Superintendent Pryce | Episode: "Rage" |
| rowspan="2"|2006
| Fraser Hibbs | Episode: "War of the Roses" |
| rowspan="2"|The Bill
| Ricky Lasiter | Episode: "Mistaken and Misspoken" |
| 2009
| Kenny Bordmann | 2 episodes |
| 2010
| Alexi Zjasvic | Episode: "Skipping a Beat" |
| 2011
| DI Richard Brownlow | Episode: "Cold Is the Grave: Part 1" |
| 2012
| Michael | Miniseries |
| 2014
| Dave | Episode: "The Return" |
| 2016–2019
| Mum | Derek | Main role |
| 2017
| Casualty | John Galloway | Episode: "Break Point" |
| rowspan="3"|2019
| Mac Honeydew | Episode: "Apollo" |
| London Kills
| Graham Evans | Episode: "Connected" |
| Temple
| Victor | Miniseries |
| 2020
| Vic Morgan | Recurring role |
| 2021
| Del Flynn | 5 episodes |
| 2021–present
| Regular role |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name}}
- [http://www.bluffeurope.com/PlayerProfiles/Detail.aspx?PlayerID=38 Bluff Europe profile]
- [http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=4 Hendon Mob profile]
- [https://www.wsop.com/players/profile/?playerid=157 WSOP profile]
{{British Soap Award for Best Newcomer}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Boatman, Ross}}
Category:British Soap Award for Best Newcomer winners
Category:English male film actors
Category:English male stage actors
Category:English male television actors
Category:Male actors from London
Category:People from Kings Cross, London
Category:20th-century English male actors
Category:21st-century English male actors
Category:Alumni of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art