The original Dr. Who dies at 67
- Publication: The Daily Telegraph
- Date: 1975-04-25
- Author:
- Page: 17
- Language: English
That William Hartnell, the original television Dr. Who, died in hospital yesterday near his home in Marden, Kent, aged 67. He had been ill for three years.
He was familiar to two generations, first as a tough NCS in many wartime films, and second as Dr Who.
He created the "900-year-old" foe of the Daleks for the children Saturday serial in 1963. In spite of predictions that the programme would run only six weeks he kept the part for three years and three other actors have since taken turns up the role.
"Billy" Hartnell, as he used to be known, began his career in 1924. He made his West End debut in 1932. Although better known as a film actor, he scored a great success in "Seagulls over Sorrento" at the Apollo in 1950.
Invalided out
He was invalided out of the Royal Tank Corps during the war, and in 1944 fame came with the part of Sergeant Fletcher in "The Way Ahead."
He was to play tough sergeant-major type roles and many subsequent films but his range was wider. He appeared in "Brighton Rock," on the stage in 1943, and in the 1946 film. Other notable film appearances were in "Odd Man Out," (1947) and "Pickwick Papers" (1955).
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 pleasure. "I was so pleased to be offered Dr Who. To me kids are the greatest audience, and the great as critics, in the world," he said.
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- APA 6th ed.: (1975-04-25). The original Dr. Who dies at 67. The Daily Telegraph p. 17.
- MLA 7th ed.: "The original Dr. Who dies at 67." The Daily Telegraph [add city] 1975-04-25, 17. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: "The original Dr. Who dies at 67." The Daily Telegraph, edition, sec., 1975-04-25
- Turabian: "The original Dr. Who dies at 67." The Daily Telegraph, 1975-04-25, section, 17 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=The original Dr. Who dies at 67 | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/The_original_Dr._Who_dies_at_67 | work=The Daily Telegraph | pages=17 | date=1975-04-25 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=27 April 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=The original Dr. Who dies at 67 | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/The_original_Dr._Who_dies_at_67 | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=27 April 2025}}</ref>
