Richard Hurndall: Difference between revisions
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{{real world}} | {{real world}} | ||
{{Infobox Person | {{Infobox Person | ||
|birth date = [[3 November (people)|3 November]] [[1910 (people)|1910]] | |birth date = [[3 November (people)|3 November]] [[1910 (people)|1910]] | ||
|death date = [[13 April (people)|13 April]] [[1984 (people)|1984]] | |death date = [[13 April (people)|13 April]] [[1984 (people)|1984]] | ||
|role = [[First Doctor]] | |role = [[First Doctor]] | ||
|story = ''[[The Five Doctors (TV story)|The Five Doctors]]'' | |story = ''[[The Five Doctors (TV story)|The Five Doctors]]'' | ||
|time = | |time = 1983 | ||
|imdb = 0403528 | |imdb = 0403528 | ||
| | |job title = Actor|image=RichardHurndall.jpg}}'''Richard Hurndall''' (born in Darlington<ref>https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b9f46b957</ref> on [[3 November (people)|3 November]] [[1910 (people)|1910]], died [[13 April (people)|13 April]] [[1984 (people)|1984]]<ref>[http://guide.doctorwhonews.net/person.php?name=RichardHurndall Doctor Who Guide]</ref>) portrayed the [[First Doctor]] in the television story ''[[The Five Doctors (TV story)|The Five Doctors]]'', replacing the late [[William Hartnell]]. | ||
| | |||
}} | == Early Life and Career == | ||
'''Richard Hurndall''' ([[3 November (people)|3 November]] [[1910 (people)|1910]] | Hurndall was born in Darlington. After training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, he appeared in several plays at Stratford-upon-Avon. Hurndall acted with the BBC radio drama repertory company from 1949 to 1952. | ||
In 1958 he became the third host of the Radio Luxembourg program ''This I Believe'', which had originally been hosted by Edward R. Murrow on the U.S. CBS Radio Network from 1951 to 1955. It was edited in London for rebroadcast on Radio Luxembourg's 208 wavelength with a British style of presentation. | In 1958 he became the third host of the Radio Luxembourg program ''This I Believe'', which had originally been hosted by Edward R. Murrow on the U.S. CBS Radio Network from 1951 to 1955. It was edited in London for rebroadcast on Radio Luxembourg's 208 wavelength with a British style of presentation. | ||
Hurndall appeared in many radio and stage plays, films and television series over the course of his lengthy career, including | Hurndall appeared in many radio and stage plays, films and television series over the course of his lengthy career, including ''[[The Avengers]]'', ''The Persuaders!'', ''Whodunnit!'' (with another Doctor, [[Jon Pertwee]]), and ''Bergerac''. He played the suave London gangster Mackelson in the 1968 drama series ''Spindoe'' and did a camp turn as a [[gay]] antique dealer who takes a shine to Harold Steptoe in the comedy ''Steptoe and Son''. | ||
''The Avengers'', ''The Persuaders!'', ''Whodunnit!'' (with another Doctor, [[Jon Pertwee]]), and ''Bergerac''. He played the suave London gangster Mackelson in the 1968 drama series ''Spindoe'' and did a camp turn as a [[gay]] antique dealer who takes a shine to Harold Steptoe in the comedy ''Steptoe and Son''. | |||
== Doctor Who == | == ''Doctor Who'' == | ||
In 1983, to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the long-running BBC science fiction television series ''Doctor Who'', producer John Nathan-Turner planned a special event, ''The Five Doctors'', a ninety-minute episode to feature the five actors who had at that point played the role of the Doctor. However, William Hartnell, the actor who originated the role, had died in 1975. The show's unofficial fan consultant, Ian Levine, had seen Hurndall in Blake's 7, another BBC science fiction series, and suggested him to the producers as a possible replacement. Hurndall eventually won the role of the First Doctor, playing him as acerbic and temperamental but in some ways wiser than his successors. When the Fourth Doctor, Tom Baker, decided not to appear in the programme, Hurndall's role was beefed up slightly to have the First Doctor take a greater part in the action. | In 1983, to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the long-running BBC science fiction television series ''Doctor Who'', producer John Nathan-Turner planned a special event, ''The Five Doctors'', a ninety-minute episode to feature the five actors who had at that point played the role of the Doctor. However, William Hartnell, the actor who originated the role, had died in 1975. The show's unofficial fan consultant, Ian Levine, had seen Hurndall in Blake's 7, another BBC science fiction series, and suggested him to the producers as a possible replacement. Hurndall eventually won the role of the First Doctor, playing him as acerbic and temperamental but in some ways wiser than his successors. When the Fourth Doctor, Tom Baker, decided not to appear in the programme, Hurndall's role was beefed up slightly to have the First Doctor take a greater part in the action. | ||
Hurndall died of a [[heart attack]], less than half a year after the first broadcast of ''The Five Doctors''. As with [[William Hartnell]] a decade earlier, Hurndall's heart condition was known at the time of filming the show; those involved with the production of ''The Five Doctors'' subsequently praised Hurndall's bravery in accepting such a demanding part and shoot. A myth claims that he was going to reprise his role in ''[[The Two Doctors (TV story)|The Two Doctors]]'' prior to his death, but knowledge of his heart condition makes this more than likely a false rumour. | |||
Contrary to common fan belief that Hurndall died before receiving his pay cheque, [[Richard Bignell]] has since clarified that this is untrue and he was paid in full before his death.<ref>https://twitter.com/NothingLane/status/1271845398404116482</ref> | |||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
{{imdb name|id=0403528}} | {{imdb name|id=0403528}} | ||
== Footnotes == | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
{{NameSort}} | {{NameSort}} | ||
[[Category:Doctor Who guest actors]] | [[Category:Doctor Who guest actors]] | ||
[[Category:Actors who portrayed the First Doctor]] | |||
Latest revision as of 03:12, 13 March 2024
Richard Hurndall (born in Darlington[1] on 3 November 1910, died 13 April 1984[2]) portrayed the First Doctor in the television story The Five Doctors, replacing the late William Hartnell.
Early Life and Career[[edit] | [edit source]]
Hurndall was born in Darlington. After training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, he appeared in several plays at Stratford-upon-Avon. Hurndall acted with the BBC radio drama repertory company from 1949 to 1952.
In 1958 he became the third host of the Radio Luxembourg program This I Believe, which had originally been hosted by Edward R. Murrow on the U.S. CBS Radio Network from 1951 to 1955. It was edited in London for rebroadcast on Radio Luxembourg's 208 wavelength with a British style of presentation.
Hurndall appeared in many radio and stage plays, films and television series over the course of his lengthy career, including The Avengers, The Persuaders!, Whodunnit! (with another Doctor, Jon Pertwee), and Bergerac. He played the suave London gangster Mackelson in the 1968 drama series Spindoe and did a camp turn as a gay antique dealer who takes a shine to Harold Steptoe in the comedy Steptoe and Son.
Doctor Who[[edit] | [edit source]]
In 1983, to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the long-running BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who, producer John Nathan-Turner planned a special event, The Five Doctors, a ninety-minute episode to feature the five actors who had at that point played the role of the Doctor. However, William Hartnell, the actor who originated the role, had died in 1975. The show's unofficial fan consultant, Ian Levine, had seen Hurndall in Blake's 7, another BBC science fiction series, and suggested him to the producers as a possible replacement. Hurndall eventually won the role of the First Doctor, playing him as acerbic and temperamental but in some ways wiser than his successors. When the Fourth Doctor, Tom Baker, decided not to appear in the programme, Hurndall's role was beefed up slightly to have the First Doctor take a greater part in the action.
Hurndall died of a heart attack, less than half a year after the first broadcast of The Five Doctors. As with William Hartnell a decade earlier, Hurndall's heart condition was known at the time of filming the show; those involved with the production of The Five Doctors subsequently praised Hurndall's bravery in accepting such a demanding part and shoot. A myth claims that he was going to reprise his role in The Two Doctors prior to his death, but knowledge of his heart condition makes this more than likely a false rumour.
Contrary to common fan belief that Hurndall died before receiving his pay cheque, Richard Bignell has since clarified that this is untrue and he was paid in full before his death.[3]
