William Hartnell

Biography: British actor William Hartnell once billed himself as "Billy," befitting his previous life as an apprentice jockey and flyweight boxer. Yearning to be a comedian like his idol Charlie Chaplin, Hartnell went on the stage at age 16 with Sir Frank Benson's Shakespeare company. In films from 1933, he spent several frustrating years playing minor villains and nondescript walk-ons. Hartnell rose to prominence in British films of the 1940s; ironically, he played an Army sergeant in his starmaking film, 1944's The Way Ahead. His film assignments diminished in importance in the 1950s, though he gained a new following in the supporting role of Sergeant Major Bullimore on the BBC TV series The Army Game. On the strength of his performance as a crusty sports agent in the 1963 film This Sporting Life, Hartnell was cast as the first of eight actors to portray TV's Doctor Who. This internationally popular sci-fi series made Hartnell a star all over again. William Hartnell was long married toBritish actor William Hartnell once billed himself as "Billy," befitting his previous life as an apprentice jockey and flyweight boxer. Yearning to be a comedian like his idol Charlie Chaplin, Hartnell went on the stage at age 16 with Sir Frank Benson's Shakespeare company. In films from 1933, he spent several frustrating years playing minor villains and nondescript walk-ons. Hartnell rose to prominence in British films of the 1940s; ironically, he played an Army sergeant in his starmaking film, 1944's The Way Ahead. His film assignments diminished in importance in the 1950s, though he gained a new following in the supporting role of Sergeant Major Bullimore on the BBC TV series The Army Game. On the strength of his performance as a crusty sports agent in the 1963 film This Sporting Life, Hartnell was cast as the first of eight actors to portray TV's Doctor Who. This internationally popular sci-fi series made Hartnell a star all over again. William Hartnell was long married to actress/playwright Heather McIntyre. Expand

William Hartnell's Scores

  • TV
Average career score: N/A
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of
  2. Mixed: 0 out of
  3. Negative: 0 out of
0 tv reviews
Title: Year: Credit: User score:
tbd Doctor Who (1963): Season 26 Sep 6, 1989 The Doctor tbd
tbd Doctor Who (1963): Season 26 Sep 6, 1989 The Doctor tbd
tbd Doctor Who (1963): Season 20 Jan 13, 1983 The Doctor tbd
tbd Doctor Who (1963): Season 20 Jan 13, 1983 The Doctor tbd
tbd Doctor Who (1963): Season 20 Jan 3, 1983 The First Doctor tbd
tbd Doctor Who (1963): Season 10 Dec 30, 1972 Dr. Who / The Doctor / The First Doctor tbd
tbd Doctor Who (1963): Season 6 Aug 10, 1968 The Doctor tbd
tbd Doctor Who (1963): Season 5 Sep 2, 1967 The Doctor 9.5
tbd Doctor Who (1963): Season 4 Sep 10, 1966 Dr. Who / The Doctor 9.3
tbd Doctor Who (1963): Season 4 Sep 10, 1966 The Doctor tbd
tbd Doctor Who (1963): Season 3 Sep 11, 1965 Abbot Of Amboise / The Doctor 8.6
tbd Doctor Who (1963): Season 3 Sep 11, 1965 The Doctor tbd
tbd Doctor Who (1963): Season 2 Oct 31, 1964 Dr. Who / The Doctor 8.5
tbd Doctor Who (1963): Season 1 Nov 23, 1963 Dr. Who / Doctor Who / Dr. Who / The Doctor 8.7
tbd Doctor Who (1963): Season 1 Nov 23, 1963 Doctor Who / Dr. Who / The Doctor tbd