Jon Pertwee

John Devon Roland Pertwee (July 7, 1919–May 20, 1996), better known as Jon Pertwee, was a British actor. He is best known for his roles in the science fiction television series Doctor Who, where he played the third incarnation of the Doctor from 1970 to 1974, and as the title character in the series Worzel Gummidge. He also hosted the murder mystery quiz programme Whodunnit! between 1974 and 1978.

Related Topics:
July 7 - 1919 - May 20 - 1996 - British - Actor - Science fiction television - Doctor Who - Third incarnation - The Doctor - 1970 - 1974 - Worzel Gummidge - Whodunnit! - 1978

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Pertwee was also a comic actor, with roles such as the conniving Officer Pertwee in The Navy Lark on BBC Radio and in another radio comedy series "Waterlogged Spa". He also played the part of Lycus in the 1963 London stage production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and appeared in the smaller role of Crassus in the 1966 film version. He appeared in four Carry On films: Carry on Cleo (1964), Carry On Screaming! (1966), Carry On Cowboy (1965) and Carry On Columbus (1992). He also guest starred in the British comedy television series The Goodies in the episode "Wacky Wales".

Related Topics:
The Navy Lark - BBC Radio - 1963 - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - 1966 - Carry On films - The Goodies

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He made a guest appearance in the "Lords and Ladies" episode of the BBC Radio 4 comedy series "Harry Hill's Fruit Corner", playing a Time Lord of course. He returned to the role of the Doctor in the 1983 20th-Anniversary television movie The Five Doctors and in the 1993 charity special Dimensions in Time.

Related Topics:
BBC Radio 4 - Harry Hill's Fruit Corner - Time Lord - 1983 - The Five Doctors - 1993 - Dimensions in Time

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Pertwee was an officer in the Royal Navy, spending some time working in naval intelligence during the Second World War. He was a crew member of The Hood and was transferred off the ship shortly before it sank, losing all but three men. He was married twice, first to Jean Marsh (1955–1960), whom he divorced, and then, on August 13, 1960, to Ingeborg Rhoesha, by whom he had two children, Sean and Dariel.

Related Topics:
Royal Navy - Second World War - The Hood - Jean Marsh - 1955 - 1960 - August 13 - Sean - Dariel

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Pertwee would continue to act in films and television as well as make appearances world-wide in support of Doctor Who until his death, aged 76, from a heart attack whilst on holiday in the American state of Connecticut on May 20 1996 (some reports, however, place the location of his death in New York). He passed away only days after the American broadcast of the Doctor Who television movie which used in its opening credits a logo based on the one from his era of the television series. The BBC broadcast of the television movie featured a dedication to Pertwee at its conclusion.

Related Topics:
Heart attack - American - Connecticut - May 20 - 1996 - New York - ''Doctor Who'' television movie

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His last association with the series was posthumous. With the approval of his widow, Ingeborg, his voice was utilised as part of the plot of the Big Finish Productions 40th-Anniversary Doctor Who audio drama, Zagreus. Pertwee's voice was culled from a fan-produced Doctor Who film, "Devious", portions of which were recorded prior to his death.

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