First Dr. Who dies
- Publication: The Newcastle Journal
- Date: 1975-04-25
- Author:
- Page: 6
- Language: English
Actor William Hartnell, television's original Dr. Who, died in hospital yesterday near his home and Marden, Kent.
He was 67 and had been ill for about three years.
Hartnell was a familiar face to two generations, first as a tough sergeant-major in dozens of wartime films and secondly as Dr. Who.
He created the Doctor role in 1963 and in spite of predictions that the programme would run only six weeks, he kept the part for three years. Three other actors have since taken turns in the serial, which is still running.
"Bill" Hartnell, as he used to be known, began his career in 1924, went into films in 1931 and had his first London stage part the next year.
He was invalided did get out of the royal tank or during the war, and in 1944 fame came with the role of Sergeant Fletcher in "The Way Ahead."
A string of hard-nosed characters followed leading naturally to the part of Sergeant-Major Bullimore in ITV's "The Army Game."
He was 55 when he became a hero to millions of children as the eccentric time traveller Dr. Who - a part which brought him great plreasure after years of playing tough roles.
He said: "I was so pleased to be offered Dr. Who. To me, kids are the greatest audience - and the greatest critics in the world."
Hartnell is survived by his wife, Heather McIntyre, the former actress and playwright, and daughter Anne.
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- APA 6th ed.: (1975-04-25). First Dr. Who dies. The Newcastle Journal p. 6.
- MLA 7th ed.: "First Dr. Who dies." The Newcastle Journal [add city] 1975-04-25, 6. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: "First Dr. Who dies." The Newcastle Journal, edition, sec., 1975-04-25
- Turabian: "First Dr. Who dies." The Newcastle Journal, 1975-04-25, section, 6 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=First Dr. Who dies | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/First_Dr._Who_dies | work=The Newcastle Journal | pages=6 | date=1975-04-25 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=23 April 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=First Dr. Who dies | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/First_Dr._Who_dies | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=23 April 2025}}</ref>
