William hartnell death

William Hartnell

Born: 8th January 1908 (as William Henry Hartnell)
Died: 23rd April 1975 (aged 67 years)
Episodes Broadcast: 1963-1966, 1972, 1983, 2013, 2017

Born in London to an unwed mother and never aware of his father's identity, William Hartnell would spend the rest of his life haunted by the shame he felt towards his origins. Raised sometimes by his mother and sometimes by extended family, much of Hartnell's impoverished youth was spent at the margins of juvenile delinquency. But it was a decision at age thirteen to join a boy's boxing club which would change the course of his life. There he met an artist named Hugh Blaker who effectively became Hartnell's surrogate father, encouraging his interest in Shakespeare and helping him enroll at the Italia Conti Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Still in his teens, Hartnell joined the Shakespearean repertory company led by Sir Frank Benson. This led to bigger opportunities, including a tour of Canada during which Hartnell met an actress named Heather McIntyre. A year later -- on May 9th, 1929 -- Hartnell and McIntyre were mar

Photo and info courtesy of William Hartnell's excellent biography, Who's There? The Life and Career of William Hartnell, by his granddaughter Jessica Carney (Virgin: 1996). The book is probably out-of-print by now, but Doctor Who-related books have a tendency to turn up at conventions and in specialty shops. Hartnell's quotes come from The Handbook: The First Doctor by Howe, Stammers, and Walker (Virgin: 1994). None of this site would've been possible if I didn't have these books as references.



William Hartnell was born in London on January 8, 1908, the illegitimate son of Lucy Hartnell. Perhaps embarrassed by his background, Hartnell later claimed that he was born on a farm in Devon and raised by both of his parents. This "sanitized" account of his childhood has appeared in a number of publications, including Peter Haining's Doctor Who: A Celebration.

He spent much of his early life in the foster care of the Harris family while his mother took a nursing job in Belgium. Growing up in poverty, Hartnell was a self-professed "street urchin," proficient at shop-lifti

William Hartnell

English actor (1908–1975)

For the merchant, schoolmaster and governor, see William Edward Petty Hartnell.

William Hartnell

Hartnell in 1946

Born

William Henry Hartnell


(1908-01-08)8 January 1908

London, England

Died23 April 1975(1975-04-23) (aged 67)

Marden, Kent, England

Alma materItalia Conti Academy
OccupationActor
Years active1925–1973
Known forFirst Doctor in Doctor Who
Spouse

Heather McIntyre

(m. )​
Children1
RelativesNorman Hartnell (second cousin)

William Henry Hartnell (; 8 January 1908 – 23 April 1975) was an English actor, who is best known for portraying the first incarnation of the Doctor, in the long-running British science-fiction television series Doctor Who from 1963 to 1966; he reprised the role in 1972–1973. In film, Hartnell notably appeared in Brighton Rock (1949), The Mouse That Roared (1959) and This Sporting Life (1963). He was associated with military roles, playing Company Sergeant Major Percy Bullimore i

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