An estimated 600-700 million people across the world are said to have watched David Suchet as Agatha Christies famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, through which he has become a household name, having filmed more than 60 episodes. David was born in 1946 and was an actor long before doing his first Poirot in 1988. At 23 years old he was the youngest professional actor to play Shakespeare’s Shylock in the 'Merchant of Venice' and went on to spend thirteen years at the Royal Shakespeare Company.
The name Suchet derive from the Lithuanian word that describes one involved in the ritual ( Kosher ) slaughter of animals. His Jewish heritage came through his Great grandfather on the paternal side of his family but because his grandfather married a gentile his family lost acceptance in the Jewish community. His mother was of Lithuanian Russian Jewish descent but was a practicing Anglican being C of E. His father was agnostic and David was brought up in no particular religion, though he has always been pleased that his background was rooted in Judaism and was thrilled at the opportunity to go with the R.S.T.C. to perform in Jerusalem.
His mother was a former professional dancer and was his inspiration to become an actor, his maternal grandmother was also an actress. His father was a distinguished Gynecologist but less enthusiastic about David’s interest in acting until he joined the R.S.C. Previous to that David had been at the National Youth theatre and studied at the London academy of music and dramatic art directly after leaving school. He started his education at a boarding school in Kent where he resided from the age of eight and where he rarely saw his parents. He hated his time there. His next school was Wellington which at the age of thirteen was like a breath of fresh air to him and although he did not excel academically he shone at rugby and tennis and it was there where he met his English teacher who introduced him to acting.
Even when he had attained success as an actor he was always looking for something 'beyond" and in his late 20’s and 30’s he explored Zen Buddhism. Then aged 40 while in Seattle making a film he had a life changing experience. He was lying in the bath in his hotel room thinking about his dead Grandfather, thinking it odd that he could still feel his presence even though he did not believe in an afterlife. On impulse he went straight out and bought a bible and read Paul’s letters to the Romans. It somehow satisfied what he had been searching for, something beyond, something mystical but also something he could relate to. In the same way that he researched an acting role he began to look at the Hebrew scriptures and New Testament but could not take it at face value nor understand it all and because he had never had blind faith in anything in his life he pledged himself to study.
But the questions kept pressing in on him for the next 21 years and in his faith journey it just felt that God would not let him go, a bit like in the bible story when Jacob wrestled with God. His Jewishness was never a stumbling block because he realised that Jesus was a Jew but after years of study he felt confident enough to declare his Christian faith publicly and has since felt that it has guided many decisions in his life including his acting career. He is sometimes criticized by Christians for the roles he play, particularly if violence is involved and is something he considers very carefully when offered a part. David believes his 21 year struggle has strengthened his faith and made him more appreciative of it, he describes it as the most important thing in his life informing how he behaves, thinks, and makes him who he is. He says "We go to the gym to exercise our bodies, we read and do crosswords to exercise our minds but we do very little in a cynical secular age to exercise our souls"
Suchet married Sheila Ferris in 1976 and they embarked on their Christian spiritual journey together because they had been looking for the right philosophy to sustain them. In the New Testament books he found truth about life and living, as it forces you to look at and appraise yourself. David and Sheila have two children and have worked very closely together as a couple. He enjoys photography and music, goes canal boating and is interested in theology and philosophy. His favourite book is the bible because of its diversity. poetry, songs, history, wisdom, stories and mystery. He feels blessed to be well known particularly in his role as Poirot which has been a big part of his life and despite all the awards and accolades his biggest 'part' now is his faith in Jesus who he describes as his best friend and guide.
In 2012 he made a documentary on his personal hero, the Apostle St Paul and his missionary and evangelistic journeys and who has been a constant inspiration, he believes Paul abandoned himself to the higher good in the name of Jesus. Something that David gladly strives for. SOME THOUGHTS Like many people David was searching for something to fulfill his life and to find a solid philosophical basis for both himself and on which to base his marriage. His journey was not easy and while the Christian faith is an instant revelation to some for others the journey requires a lot of thinking and soul searching before finally feeling confident to declare their faith. This often comes later in life having experimented with other religions and philosophies and having experienced life and understanding its problems. This runs counter to some critics of Christianity who say that Christians are indoctrinated from birth and unthinking about their faith but in David’s case this was clearly untrue as he analysed Christianity and its claims in an almost forensic way. Whilst many will say that they can be satisfied and fulfilled by what secular life has to offer there are others like David who need the spiritual dimension to feel whole and at peace. For Christians Jesus provides this peace, gives purpose and sets an interesting challenge in the business of life.