Nigel Havers Net Worth: Biography, Family, Career & Achievement

What is Nigel Havers net worth? Discover the estimated figure of over £6 million and his notable achievements in film.

Nigel Havers was born in Enfield, north London, in 1951. At 68 years old, he is the son of Baron Michael Havers, a well-known barrister who served as a controversial Attorney General for England and Wales and briefly as Lord Chancellor during the Conservative government in the 1980s.

Nigel’s family has a notable legal legacy; his aunt is Baroness Butler-Sloss, the former Lord Justice of Appeal, while his grandfather, Sir Cecil Havers, was a high court judge. His brother, Philip Havers QC, is also a distinguished barrister.

Nigel Havers Net Worth

Nigel Havers’ net worth is estimated to exceed £6 million. He received a BAFTA nomination for his performance as Lord Andrew Lindsay in the 1981 British film Chariots of Fire.

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Nigel Havers Biography

Nigel Allan Havers (born November 6, 1951) is an English actor and presenter. He is well-known for his film roles, including Lord Andrew Lindsay in the 1981 British film Chariots of Fire, which earned him a BAFTA nomination. He also portrayed Dr. Rawlins in the 1987 Steven Spielberg war drama Empire of the Sun and played Ronny in the 1984 David Lean epic A Passage to India.

On television, Havers is recognized for his role as Tom Latimer in the British comedy series Don’t Wait Up and as Lewis Archer in Coronation Street, a role he held from 2009 to 2019.

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Nigel Havers Early Life and Family

Nigel Havers was born in Edmonton, Middlesex, and is the younger of two sons of Sir Michael Havers (later Lord Havers), a barrister who became a controversial Attorney General for England and Wales and briefly served as Lord Chancellor during the Conservative government in the 1980s.

His father was the lead prosecution counsel in two significant miscarriages of justice involving the Guildford Four and the Maguire family, including Giuseppe Conlon, who died in prison as an innocent man.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was found to have suppressed alibi evidence that could have proven two individuals innocent before the trial, as well as confessions from the Balcombe Street Gang that exonerated the wrongfully convicted. Michael Havers was never held accountable for his role in these injustices.

Nigel’s family includes his paternal aunt, Lady Butler-Sloss, his grandfather, Sir Cecil Havers, and his elder brother, Philip Havers KC, all of whom had notable legal careers. His paternal uncle, David Havers, was a businessman based in Manchester.

In July 2013, Havers participated in the BBC TV series Who Do You Think You Are?, where he explored his ancestry, tracing his roots to an Essex businessman on his father’s side and a Cornish miller on his mother’s side.

Professional Life and Career

Nigel Havers is renowned for “playing the quintessential, old-school Englishman,” characterized by his dashing good looks, cut-glass accent, and charming demeanor.

His acting career began with a role in the radio series Mrs Dale’s Diary and later involved working with the Prospect Theatre Company, where he humorously noted that he spent time “carrying a spear and making cups of tea,” as recounted in his autobiography.

In the 1970s, Havers worked as a researcher for the Jimmy Young radio show for nine years, leveraging his father’s connections to attract politicians, including securing Margaret Thatcher’s first radio interview.

Havers had an early interest in women, receiving advice from family friend Kenneth More: “If you are charming, you don’t have to ask them to go to bed; they ask you.” He reflects on his experiences with leading lady Maxine Audley, humorously recounting how he once found a new cast member rehearsing a routine he had perfected.

After a period of unemployment in acting, during which he worked for a wine merchant, Havers’s career began to revive when his girlfriend, who later became his first wife, Carolyn Cox, suggested they move in together in 1974.

In 1975, he gained recognition with an appearance in Upstairs, Downstairs, playing Peter Dinmont in one of the show’s final episodes. That same year, he appeared in the Granada Television daytime series Crown Court as Patrick Mills, a hapless heroin addict on trial for drug offenses.

Havers’s film career began with a small role in Pope Joan (1972) and continued with a character in The Glittering Prizes (1976). His first major success came with the leading role in the BBC adaptation of Nicholas Nickleby (1977), followed by another BBC drama, A Horseman Riding By (1978).

By the time he starred in Chariots of Fire (1981), he had become a familiar face on British television. Despite appearances in films like A Passage to India (1984), Empire of the Sun (1987), and Farewell to the King (1989), he did not achieve film star status but continued to secure leading roles on television.

He co-starred in the BBC sitcom Don’t Wait Up (1983–1990) alongside Dinah Sheridan and Tony Britton, and starred in The Little Princess (1986) with Maureen Lipman, earning a dedicated fan base. He is also well-known for his appearances in Lloyds Bank television commercials.

In 1991, Havers co-starred with Warren Clarke in the comedic mini-series Sleepers, portraying former KGB spies living in England who their former employers suddenly sought after.

Havers was featured on This Is Your Life in 1992, surprised by host Michael Aspel at Twickenham Film Studios. He later published his autobiography, Playing with Fire, in October 2006.

In 2009, he appeared in the U.S. television drama Brothers & Sisters and the Doctor Who spin-off The Sarah Jane Adventures. He made his debut on the British soap Coronation Street as the charming escort Lewis Archer on December 18, 2009, leaving briefly but returning multiple times until the character’s death on January 1, 2019.

Havers participated in the tenth series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in November 2010, leaving the show after objecting to a challenge involving electric shocks.

He guest-starred in the 2011 Christmas Special of Downton Abbey as Lord Hepworth, a charming suitor who is later revealed to be a “fortune hunter.” Series creator Julian Fellowes praised Havers for his ability to portray a cad.

In July 2012, Havers presented The Real Chariots of Fire, a documentary about the runners who inspired the film. In 2014, he played Tony Pebble in the BBC Four comedy The Life of Rock with Brian Pern, a parody of former Genesis singer Peter Gabriel.

Havers participated in the celebrity talent show Get Your Act Together on January 25, 2015, and appeared in the ninth series of the sitcom Benidorm in 2017, reprising his role in the tenth series in 2018. He also joined fellow celebrities on the Channel 5 show Celebrity Carry On Barging later that year.

As of December 2024, he serves as the narrator for the new Channel 4 series Help! We Bought a Hotel (UK).

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Nigel Havers Personal Life

In the mid-1980s, Nigel Havers began an affair with Polly Williams, the daughter of actor Hugh Williams and sister of his friend, actor Simon Williams. Havers has openly acknowledged having several affairs during his first marriage to Carolyn Cox, which he now regrets.

He experienced significant depression while trying to choose between his marriage, their young daughter Kate (born in 1977), and his mistress. During this challenging time, he sought help from a psychiatrist at the Devonshire Hospital in London.

Havers found clarity when he took on a role in the TV film Naked Under Capricorn, filmed in Alice Springs, Australia. He describes a moment in his autobiography where he wrangled a herd of cattle and spotted a figure in the distance, who turned out to be Williams.

The couple married in 1989, and their marriage lasted until Polly’s death on June 24, 2004. A blessing was held in Saint Tropez the following month. After her passing, Havers took legal action regarding her will, claiming it left him without “reasonable financial provision.” The case was settled out of court, awarding him £375,000 and proceeds from the sale of some of his late wife’s belongings.

In February 1990, Havers was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and taken to Harrow police station. He was subsequently banned from driving for a year and fined £500. He expressed no regret about the incident, stating, “I thought the whole thing was pretty unfair,” and felt victimized, believing he received the same punishment as those who were significantly over the limit.

His comments drew criticism from John Knight, co-founder of the Campaign Against Drinking and Driving, and a spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers remarked that he seemed “a little bit out of touch with public feeling.”

On June 8, 2007, Havers married Georgiana “George” Bronfman (née Rita Webb) in New York City. Bronfman is the former spouse of Canadian-American businessman Edgar Bronfman.

Havers is also the godfather of comedian Jack Whitehall.

• Selected Filmography
• Pope Joan (1972)
• The Glittering Prizes (1976)
• Nicholas Nickleby (1977)
• A Horseman Riding By (1978)
• Chariots of Fire (1981)
• A Passage to India (1984)
• Empire of the Sun (1987)
• Farewell to the King (1989)
• Don’t Wait Up (1983–1990)
• Coronation Street (2009–2019)
• Downton Abbey (2011 Christmas Special)
• Benidorm (2017, 2018)

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Selected Filmography

Film

Conclusion on Nigel Havers Net Worth

Nigel Havers’ career spans decades, marked by a diverse array of film and television roles showcasing his talent and charm. From his early beginnings in radio and theatre to iconic performances in classics like Chariots of Fire and Empire of the Sun, Havers has captivated audiences with his portrayal of complex characters.

His personal life, while marked by challenges and controversies, reflects a journey of self-discovery and resilience. Through his experiences on and off the screen, Havers remains a notable figure in the entertainment industry, continuing to engage fans and inspire future generations of actors. His story is one of passion, perseverance, and the enduring impact of a life dedicated to the arts.

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