David Tennant

Used to get in trouble at school because all of the essays he wrote were about Doctor Who (1963) in some way.
He started acting with the hope that he would one day get to play the title role on "Doctor Who".
His most treasured childhood possession was a scarf that an aunt had knitted him which was modeled on the iconic, multi-colored one worn by Tom Baker on Doctor Who (1963) in the 1970s.
From his first appearance in the role of the Doctor in June 2005 to when he gave the role up in January 2010, he became the second longest actor to play the title role continuously on television (Tom Baker is the longest, who was on screen from 1974 until 1981) and the third longest overall (Sylvester McCoy first appeared in September 1987 and exited in Doctor Who (1996) but the series was not broadcast between 1990 and 1995).
Chose his acting surname from Neil Tennant, singer with Pet Shop Boys. This came after reading an interview with Tennant in "Smash Hits" shortly after learning that he would have to change his professional name in order to join the actors' union, Equity, as there was already a registered member with his real name, David McDonald.

Drama school is a pretty intense experience and I think it changes who you are. I think I grew up at drama school (which was fairly useful personally as much as professionally) and I certainly got exposed to a huge range of ideas, techniques, and practices that I had no previous experience of. I wouldn't have known what I was doing as an actor if I hadn't gone.
On his early decision to become an actor: "I was very small, about 3 or 4 I think, and just wanted to be the people on telly telling these wonderful stories. Obviously the idea grew and matured with me but I can't ever remember wanting to do anything else. I've just sort of taken it for granted all my life that that was what I would do."
I do thrive on hard work.
Unlike other enduring characters such as Sherlock Holmes or Tarzan, being the Doctor allows you a certain freedom that is both very demanding and very thrilling. It allows you to make the character using elements of yourself.
I was sent good luck cards from Tom Baker and Peter Davison. They were the Doctors I grew up watching, while eating toast and drinking Tizer at home, so I was very honoured.