Advanced search

Jon Pertwee is best known for his portrayal of the Third Doctor on the BBC's science-fiction television series Doctor Who (1963) from 1970 to 1974. He was also the first to play the role following the transition of BBC One from black and white to colour. His 60-year entertainment career included work in radio, films and cabaret. This was despite the inauspicious beginning of having been thrown out of drama school as a young man and told he had no future as an actor.

Jon Pertwee was born John (after the apostle and disciple) Devon (after the county) Roland (after his father) Pertwee (an Anglicised version of the true family name, Perthuis de Laillevault) on 7 July 1919 in the Chelsea area of London. He was the second son of famous playwright, painter and actor Roland Pertwee, and his actress wife Avice - his writer brother Michael Pertwee being three years his senior. The Pertwee family had a long connection with show business and the performing arts, and it was at Wellington House preparatory school in Westgate-On-Sea in Kent that Jon, as a small and rebellious child, was encouraged in that direction. Later, at Frensham Heights co-educational school, Jon had his first taste of "real" theatre with real women in the school stage productions of "Twelfth Night" and "Lady Princess Stream". In 1936 he auditioned for, and was accepted by, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). He was later kicked out for refusing to play the part of the wind in a play.

Jon Pertwee died on 20 May 1996 of a heart attack. The BBC announced his death. He was survived by his wife Ingeborg Rhoesa, his son Sean Pertwee, a popular and talented actor, and his daughter Dariel Pertwee, an accomplished stage actress.

Dean Harens was born on 30 June 1920 in South Bend, Indiana, USA. He was an actor, known for Christmas Holiday (1944), Wonder Woman (1975) and Robert Montgomery Presents (1950). He was married to June Dayton. He died on 20 May 1996 in Van Nuys, California, USA.

Edgard Franco was born on 18 August 1937 in São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. He was an actor, known for A Muralha (1968), Mulheres de Areia (1973) and A Barba-Azul (1974). He was married to Ivonnete Vieira Franco do Nascimento. He died on 20 May 1996 in São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Jean-Jacques Delbo was born on 10 January 1909 in Paris, France. He was an actor, known for Gli invasori (1961), Il suffit d'aimer (1960) and Si Versailles m'était conté (1954). He died on 20 May 1996 in Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France.

Eric Davidson was born on 19 May 1931 in Deptford, London, England, UK. He was a writer, known for Look, Mike Yarwood! (1971), Mike Yarwood in Persons (1976) and The Dave Allen Show (1968). He died on 20 May 1996.

Willi Daume was born on 24 May 1913 in Hückeswagen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. He was an actor, known for Olympia - Olympia (1971), Dalli Dalli (1971) and Beat-Club (1965). He was married to Rosemarie. He died on 20 May 1996 in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.

Eric Barreto was born in 1962 in Garanhuns, Pernambuco, Brazil. He died on 20 May 1996 in São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Ivan Garis was born on 7 May 1923 in Jihlava, Czechoslovakia [now Czech Republic]. He was a writer and actor, known for Cesty muzu (1972), Akce v Istanbulu (1975) and Kdo prichází pred pulnocí (1980). He died on 20 May 1996 in Prague, Czech Republic.