Patrick Troughton

Patrick George Troughton (March 25, 1920–March 28, 1987) was a versatile and prolific British actor best known in his role as the second incarnation of the Doctor in the long running British sci-fi TV series Doctor Who, which he played from 1966 until 1969.

Later life and career

Two of Troughton's sons, David and Michael, are both well-known actors on stage and screen. Two of his grandchildren are also making names for themselves. Jim Troughton, plays professional cricket for Warwickshire and Sam Troughton is an up-and-coming actor, who appeared in Alien vs. Predator and the 2005 movie Spirit Trap with current Doctor Who star Billie Piper.

Related Topics:
David - Michael - Jim Troughton - Cricket - Warwickshire - Sam Troughton - Alien vs. Predator - 2005 - Movie - Spirit Trap - Billie Piper

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Troughton's health was never entirely robust and later in his life he refused to accept his doctor's advice that he had developed a serious heart condition through overwork and stress. He suffered two major heart attacks in 1978 and 1984 which prevented him from working for several months. Following each of these attacks, his doctor's warnings were again ignored as Troughton committed himself to a heavy TV and film schedule. Troughton also continued to smoke heavily and declined to commit himself to any significant physical exercise despite his worsening health and his early death being predicted as an inevitable consequence by his doctors.

Related Topics:
Heart condition - Stress - Heart attacks - 1978 - 1984 - TV - Film - Smoke

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In 1986 he appeared in the ITV sitcom The Two of Us, and his final television appearance was as a guest star on Supergran.

Related Topics:
1986 - The Two of Us - Television - Supergran

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On March 27, 1987, Troughton was a guest at the Magnum Opus Con II science fiction convention in Columbus, Georgia. Some attendees later said that Troughton looked clearly unwell at the time, although he appeared to be in good spirits throughout the day's panels and was looking forward to a belated birthday celebration which was planned for the coming Saturday evening and a screening of the Doctor Who story The Dominators, which Troughton had requested personally, on the Saturday afternoon.

Related Topics:
March 27 - 1987 - Science fiction convention - Columbus, Georgia - The Dominators

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Troughton suffered a final, fatal, heart attack at 7:25 AM the next day (March 28 1987) just after he had ordered his breakfast from the hotel staff. According to the paramedics who were called, Troughton had died before he had fallen back onto his bed. He was 67 years old.

Related Topics:
Heart attack - March 28 - 1987

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