He is best known for his roles as pilot Alan Carter in the 1970s science fiction series Space: 1999[1] and James Hamilton in the 1980s soap opera Sons and Daughters.
His father, of Russian descent,[2] also had a connection to the works of Space: 1999 creator Gerry Anderson, being a secondary voice actor in Thunderbirds.
A television role as the singing telegram boy in Thornton Wilder’s Skin of our Teeth prompted Tate to quit school.
[5] Tate's big break came with a lead role in the award-winning Australian television series My Brother Jack, followed by a stage production of the musical The Canterbury Tales where he played 'Nicholas the Gallant' for eighteen months on tour throughout the country.
Tate is also known for his voiceover work in Hollywood theatrical trailers for such films as Jurassic Park, Braveheart, Schindler's List, Austin Powers, Deep Impact Independence Day, Goldeneye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World is not Enough and Double Jeopardy and clip-on bumpers for Sony Pictures Home Entertainment from 2005–2006.
[7] Tate and four other well-known voice artists (Don LaFontaine, John Leader, Mark Elliot, and Al Chalk) parodied their individual voiceover styles en route to an awards show in a 1997 short film, 5 Men and a Limo.
Tate married his wife, Hazel Butterfield at Dulwich College Chapel, UK in September 1977, and their son Thomas was born in 1979.