Andy Serkis is best known for his remarkable Gollum in the Lord of the Rings. To play the computer-generated figure needed a performer with immense stamina. But there is far more to the actor than that hit role. When he started with the trilogy, Serkis already had 15 years of experience in theatre, television and cinema, portraying characters who were eccentric, complex and even monsterous. Now, as he hits the big screen once more - as Captain Haddock in the long-awaited The Adventures of Tintin - and prepares to revisit Gollum for The Hobbit, writer and researcher Justin Lewis examines the life and career of this most intriguing of actors.

Justin Lewis has been a writer, editor and researcher for over 20 years, specialising in music, broadcasting and entertainment. He has contributed to numerous publications, amongst them Guinness Publishing's British Hit Singles & Albums, Time Out's 1000 Songs to Change Your Life, and The Rough Guide to Rock, where he also served as contributing editor. He is co-author of Prime Minister, You Wanted to See Me? - the comprehensive history of the long-running BBC Radio 4 comedy series, Week Ending - and acted as consultant and researcher on Lucian Randall's acclaimed biography of Chris Morris, Disgusting Bliss. In addition he has worked as a radio presenter and columnist. He currently lives in South London.