1. John Pertwee - British actor and the third Doctor in Doctor Who
2. Early Life and Education
3. War Experience and Acting Career
4. Doctor Who and Legacy
5. Personal Life and Death

John Pertwee - British actor and the third Doctor in Doctor Who

John Devon Roland Pertwee, known as John Pertwee, was born on July 7, 1919, in Chelsea, London, England. He came from a family with a strong connection to the theater, as both his father, actor and playwright Roland Pertwee, and his mother, theater actress Avice Scholtz, were involved in the industry. Pertwee's older brother, Michael Pertwee, became a renowned screenwriter and playwright, while his cousin, Bill Pertwee, became a comedic actor.

Early Life and Education

After his parents' divorce, Pertwee was raised by his paternal grandmother. Despite being expelled from several schools, he eventually completed his education. Pertwee auditioned for the Central School of Dramatic Arts but was unable to secure a place due to his pronounced speech impediment. He then enrolled in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1936 but was later expelled for refusing to play the role of a Greek wind during a class exercise and for defacing a local toilet with derogatory remarks about the teachers.

War Experience and Acting Career

During World War II, Pertwee served as an officer in the Royal Navy and was part of the crew of the battleship HMS Hood. He was transferred off the ship shortly before it was sunk, with only three crew members surviving the attack. It was during this time that Pertwee woke up with a tattoo on his right arm, which occasionally made appearances during his role in Doctor Who.

After the war, Pertwee established himself as a comedic actor and had a successful career in radio. From 1959 to 1977, he played the role of Chief Petty Officer Pertwee in the radio series The Navy Lark on BBC Radio. Pertwee was often compared to American actor Danny Kaye and even portrayed his doppelgänger in the 1949 film Murder at the Windmill. He also had numerous stage roles and appeared in various television shows, including The Avengers and The Goodies.

Doctor Who and Legacy

Pertwee's most memorable role was as the third incarnation of the Doctor in the long-running British television series Doctor Who. He portrayed the Doctor from 1970 to 1974, appearing in 128 episodes, and made a special appearance in the 129th episode, which brought together all five Doctors up to that point. Pertwee became synonymous with the character, and his portrayal left an indelible mark on the series.

Pertwee's contribution to Doctor Who earned him a dedicated fan base and secured his place in television history. Despite his extensive acting career, which included approximately 70 film and television roles, Pertwee's legacy will always be tied to his portrayal of the Doctor. Doctor Who continues to air on BBC and remains an iconic science fiction series.

Personal Life and Death

Pertwee married actress Jean Marsh in 1955, but the couple divorced in 1960. Just five days after the divorce, Pertwee married Ingeborg Rhoesa on August 13, 1960. They had two children, daughter Dariel Pertwee and son Sean Pertwee, both of whom also pursued acting careers.

John Pertwee passed away on May 20, 1996, in Connecticut at the age of 76. His cause of death was a heart attack. Despite his untimely death, Pertwee's contributions to the entertainment industry and his memorable portrayal of the Doctor continue to be celebrated by fans around the world.

Actor