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William Hartnell
At one time William Hartnell shared the same agent as Nicholas Courtney, who later became a regular in "Doctor Who" (1963) as Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart.
I was so pleased to be offered the part of Doctor Who. To me kids are the greatest audience and the greatest critics in the world.
William Hartnell
William Henry Hartnell
8 January 1908, St. Pancras, London, England
23 April 1975, Marden, Kent, England
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William Hartnell was born on 8 January 1908, just south of St. Pancras station, in London. Allegedly claiming in press materials in the 1940s to be have a father who was a farmer and then later a stockbroker, it turns out that he was born out of wedlock, as his biography "Who's There?" states.
At age 16, he was adopted by Hugh Blaker, a well-known art connoisseur, who helped him to get a job with Sir Frank Benson's Shakespearean Company. He started as a general dogsbody - call-boy, assistant stage manager, property master and assistant lighting director - but was occasionally allowed to play small walk-on parts.
Two years later he left Sir Frank Benson's group and went off on tour working for a number of different companies about Britain. He became known as an actor of farce and understudied renowned performers such as Lawrence Grossmith, Ernest Truex, Bud Flanagan and Charles Heslop. He played repertory in Richmond, Harrogate, Leeds and Sheffield and had a successful run as the lead in a touring production of "Charley's Aunt." He also toured Canada in 1928-29, acquiring much valuable experience.
On his return to England, Hartnell married the actress Heather McIntyre. Hw starred in the movies "I'm an Explosive" (1933), "The Way Ahead" (1944), "Strawberry Roan" (1944), "The Agitator" (1944), "Murder in Reverse" (1945) and "Appointment with Crime" (1945). His memorable performance on the television series "The Army Game" and the movie "The Sporting Life" (1963) led to him being cast as the Doctor on "Doctor Who" (1963) which he is best remembered for.
His son in law is agent Terry Carney. His granddaughter is Judith (stage name Jessica) Carney, who authored a biography of her grandfather, "Who's There?" in 1996.
Always claimed he was born in Seaton, Devon, England, but he was actually born in St. Pancras, London, England.
Grandfather of actress Jessica Carney.
He was invalided out of the Royal Armoured Corps of the British Army during the Second World War, after suffering a nervous breakdown.
He was the only child of an unmarried mother Lucy Hartnell, who was seventeen years old at the time of his birth. He was raised primarily by her elder sister Bessie.
One of (as of 2009) eleven actors to play "official" incarnations of TV's Doctor Who. Also as of 2009, the only actor playing the The Doctor to have died in England.
Was sacked for being late from In Which we serve.
Was offered a role in Doctor Zhivago.
According to the BBC, William Hartnell suggested that Patrick Troughton replace him as the Doctor
Both William (1st Doctor) and Jon Pertwee (3rd Doctor) described playing the Doctor as like being the Pied Piper.
William was in the Royal Armoured Corps during World War Two, but was discharged after he had a nervous breakdown.
William played the role of the first Doctor Who between 1963 and 1966, clocking up more than 30 stories on the show, and more than 100 episodes.
William Hart played Ned Fletcher in The Way Ahead.
After his death, the role of the First Doctor was played by Richard Hurndall in the special anniversary episode The Five Doctors although William did appear in a small excerpt from The Dalek's Invasion of Earth - Part Five at the beginning of the episode.
Hartnell reprised the role in the 10th Anniversary story The Three Doctors (1973) with the help of cue cards but appeared only in pre-filmed inserts.
According to some he worked with on Doctor Who, he could be a tough person to be on set with.
He appeared first on television in The Army Game from 1957–1961
William appeared in the first Carry On film, Carry On Sergeant as Sergeant Grimshaw.
Hartnell usually played comic characters.
The first of more than sixty film appearances was Say It With Music.
William entered the theatre in 1924.
William was educated at home.
He was invalided out of the Royal Armoured Corps of the British Army during the Second World War, after suffering a nervous breakdown.
He always claimed he was born in Seaton, Devon, England but he was actually born in St. Pancras, London, England.
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