Becoming Father Christmas

A former actor lands his most important role yet

Julianne McShane's avatar
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John Fields is Father Christmas.
Actor John Field, dressed as Santa Claus, at a Christmas grotto at the Wetland Centre in west London, Dec. 5, 2015.
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth)Field, 66, a former teacher turned actor, has stepped into the jolly role of Santa for more than 12 years. "I'm playing a part, but it is one of the most truthful part)

A girl peeks through the doors at the Christmas grotto.
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth))

John Field brushes his beard as he dresses as Santa Claus before a performance on a City Cruises boat on the River Thames.
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth))

(REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth)

Parents and their children line up at the Wetland Centre.
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth))

(REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth)

(REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth)

John Field reads to children on a City Cruises boat.
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth))

(REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth)

John Field rests between performances on a City Cruises boat.
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth))

Julianne McShane
Julianne McShane

Julianne McShane is a student at New York University in the Global Liberal Studies program. She has interned at The Week, The Improper Bostonian, and NBC News. She plans to pursue a career in journalism after graduating.