Career
Altman was born in Reading, Berkshire. He made his acting debut in the 1979 film The First Great Train Robbery where he played a minor role. Later that same year he portrayed musician George Harrison in the biopic TV film Birth of The Beatles. He made brief appearances in several other 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.
In 1985, he first appeared as Nick Cotton in the new BBC television soap opera EastEnders appearing in the very first episode in February that year. He has been in the show on and off since then, his most recent appearance being in June 2009.
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 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 Presley.
He has since been more active in theatre and playing small roles in films and occasionally appearing on television. In 2002 he toured 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. In 2006, Altman was set to appear in an upcoming British film called It's Been Real, the trailer can be seen on YouTube. It still has yet to be released in cinemas. John Altman also appeared on the 18 July 2009 episode of Totally Saturday by climbing out of the boot of a car.
In August 2010 he joined a band called Heavy Metal Kids.From late 2010, until early 2011, Altman appeared in adverts for Daz along with actors (Michael Starke and Amanda Barrie), from rival soap opera Coronation Street.
In February 2011, he appeared on Live From Studio Five.
In January 2012, he appeared as one of the first five couples in the third series of Celebrity Coach Trip partnering fellow actor Derek Martin.
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