Jon Pertwee.

John Devon Roland Pertwee

Jon Pertwee — Actor

Born 7 Jul 1919 Chelsea, United Kingdom

Died 20 May 1996 Timber Lake, United States

Citizenship United Kingdom

Would Be 106 yr If Living

17 min read

Reading time

3,317

Words

Jun 16, 2026

Published

136

Film credits

3

Books

TL;DR

Jon Pertwee played the Third Doctor on Doctor Who from 1970 to 1974, becoming the first Doctor to appear in color. A versatile actor, he also starred in the radio comedy The Navy Lark and the TV series Worzel Gummidge. He died of a heart attack in 1996 at age 76.

Identity & family.

KIN · 5

Names, aliases, and relatives of Jon Pertwee — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name John Devon Roland Pertwee

Nicknames The Tall Light Bulb

Aliases The Scarlet Pimpernel

PARENTS: Roland Pertwee
SPOUSES: Ingeborg Pertwee Jean Marsh
CHILDREN: Sean Pertwee
SIBLINGS: Michael Pertwee

At a glance.

STATS

Jon Pertwee by the numbers — life, work, and family.

76 Years lived

136 Film credits

3 Books

2 Marriages

1 Child

Who was Jon Pertwee?

BIOGRAPHY

Jon Pertwee — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Jon Pertwee arrived on July 7, 1919 in Chelsea, London, the second son of playwright Roland Pertwee and actress Avice. From an early age, he was encouraged toward performing arts at Wellington House preparatory school. He later attended Frensham Heights School, where he first experienced theatre with real women in productions of Twelfth Night and Lady Princess Stream.

He auditioned for and was accepted by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art RADA in 1936, but was expelled for refusing to play the part of the wind.

Career

Jon Pertwee gained national fame as a performer on radio, film, and television. He became a household name as Chief Petty Officer Pertwee on the BBC radio comedy The Navy Lark, which ran from 1959 to 1977. In 1970, he was cast as the Third Doctor on Doctor Who, replacing Patrick Troughton. He became the first Doctor to appear in color and brought a distinctive action-oriented style, including Venusian Aikido. He remained in the role until 1974, appearing in 24 serials.

After Doctor Who, he starred as the scarecrow Worzel Gummidge in the 1979 TV series, which he considered his favourite role. He also appeared in films such as Carry on Cleo 1964 and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum 1966, and in television shows like The Avengers and The Goodies.

Personal life

Jon Pertwee first married actress Jean Marsh; they later divorced. After that marriage ended, he married Ingeborg Rhoesa, who survived him. He had two children: actor Sean Pertwee and actress Dariel Pertwee. Sean is known for playing Alfred Pennyworth on Gotham.

He loved fast cars, motorbikes, and water-skiing. Cartoons remained a lifelong passion; he counted Aladdin 1992 as his favourite animated film. He suffered from vertigo and was self-conscious about his nose, which led to a scripted joke on Doctor Who. He maintained close friendships with his Doctor Who co-stars, particularly Nicholas Courtney, Roger Delgado, and Katy Manning. Delgado’s death in 1973 deeply affected him.

Legacy

Jon Pertwee’s portrayal of the Third Doctor defined his legacy. He was the first Doctor to appear in color, and his tenure marked the show’s transition to a more earthbound, UNIT-era format. His trademark Venusian Aikido and colorful style influenced later incarnations.

Beyond Doctor Who, his work on The Navy Lark and Worzel Gummidge won him fans across generations. He was the longest-lived Doctor until surpassed by Tom Baker in 2010. His impact on British popular culture remains strong, with fans celebrating his contributions at conventions. Fans remember him as an actor of wide range who brought joy to millions through his comedy and dramatic roles.

Filmography.

FILMS · 136

Browse the complete filmography of Jon Pertwee — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

TV

Doctor Who

1963
TV

The Avengers

1961
TV

Wogan

1982
TV

Blankety Blank

1979
TV

The Goodies

1970
TV

Worzel Gummidge

1979
TV

The Paul Daniels Magic Show

1979
TV

Ivanhoe

1958
TV

Tales of the Tardis

2023
Movie

All About Eve

1950
TV

Surprise, Surprise

1984
TV

Doctor Who: the Doctors Revisited

2013
Movie

Forever Young

1992
TV

Virtual Murder

1992

Could not load more credits.

Bibliography.

BOOKS · 3

Jon Pertwee's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.

Amazon

Doctor Who

by British Broadcasting Corporation et al.
Amazon

I Am the Doctor

by Jon Pertwee et al.
Amazon

Doctor Who: the Mind of Evil

by British Broadcasting Corporation et al.

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 14

A wall of memorable lines from Jon Pertwee — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

I Like the Best of Everything.
Tom Baker Says He’s the Doctor. You Can’t Argue with Tom on That One, He Did Seven Years and He Always Wins the Polls.
Eddie Gray Once Said to Me, Don’t Worry, My Son, Take My Advice, Say the Lines, Take the Money and Go and Buy Something Nice, Which Is the Best Advice I’d Ever Heard in My Life.
The Tattoos Were a Little Mistake from Younger and More Foolish Days. I Always Thought It Was Quite Amusing to Have the Third Doctor, Who Was so Preoccupied with Being the Archetypal Gentleman, Displaying a Nice Big Piece of Arm Adornment and Nobody Said Anything When Filming, so They Were Seen on Screen. Perhaps People Were Frightened of Offending Me so Early on in My Time!
I Was Very Fond of the Ogrons, Who Were Wonderful, Because They Were so Big, Even I Was Terrified of Them.
Somehow I Seem to Have Been Gently Bypassed as a Serious Actor. Too Long Enjoying Life and Working in Light Entertainment Perhaps.
I’m an Actor Playing Doctor Who. I’m Often Asked Questions About What the Doctor Thinks and I Say: ‘How the Hell Do I Know?’ I’m Speaking Somebody Else’s Lines.
I Like Working on Stage Because of the Reaction. I Like to Play Light Comedy and Hear the Laughs.
In All My Years as an Actor, I Had Never Been Me I Had Always Hidden Behind My Glasses, Mustaches and Funny Voices.
Charles Laughton, the Famous Actor, Said to Me ‘I Understand You Were Thrown Out of RADA.’ I Said ‘Yes’ and He Said ‘You’re Bound to Do Well, so Was I’.
It Never Occurred to Me That I Could Ever Be Remotely Considered for the Part of the Doctor. When Tenniel Evans, with Whom I Was Playing in the Navy Lark, Suggested I Put Myself up for the Part, I Thought It Was an Absurd Idea. I Was Widely Known as a Radio and Stage Comedy Actor and They Would Never Take the Suggestion Seriously.
I Saw the Doctor as an Interplanetary Crusader and It Was This Dashing Pied Piper Image That Appealed to Me. I Could Spread My Cloak, Take the Earth Under My Wing and Say, ‘It’s All Right Now…I’ll Deal with This.’
Yes, I Got Thrown Out of RADA, I’m Afraid. I’d Refused to Be a Wind. There Was a Lady Who Taught Greek Dancing and Greek Tragedy, and I Just Had to Go ‘Wooooo’ and I Thought It Was Terribly Expensive for My Poor Father to Pay for Me to Be a Wind. so I Rebelled, I Refused to Be a Wind.
My Idea of Relaxation Is Riding a Motorbike, a Bit of Water Skiing, or a Nice Burn up in the Jet Boat. My Wife Thinks I’m Demented.

Did you know?

FACTS · 50

Little-known facts about Jon Pertwee — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

During World War II, Pertwee served alongside James Bond author Ian Fleming in a special division of British Intelligence. Future Prime Minister James Callaghan also served tea there. This service has led to rumors that Pertwee was one of the inspirations for James Bond, along with Christopher Lee and Sir William Stephenson.
In his biography Moon Boot and Dinner Suits, Pertwee recalled that as a young boy he played with the son of the gamekeeper on the family estate. The gamekeeper turned out to be A.A. Milne, and his son was Christopher, who inspired the Winnie the Pooh stories.
Cartoons were a lifelong passion for Pertwee.
As a young man, Pertwee was repeatedly told he would never become a successful actor because of a partial lisp and his resemblance to Danny Kaye. Ironically, he later doubled for Kaye in the London location work for Knock on Wood 1954.
Along with his brother Michael Pertwee, he co-founded The Waistcoat Club in 1953 to counter the drabness of men’s dress. Peter Cushing, who played the Doctor in the film Dr. Who and the Daleks 1965, was a fellow member.
Pertwee became close friends with his Doctor Who co-stars Nicholas Courtney, Roger Delgado, and Katy Manning. Delgado’s death in 1973 hit him badly and contributed to his decision to leave the series in 1974.
Before Doctor Who, Pertwee had a reputation as a comedy actor. Outgoing producer Peter Bryant cast him thinking he could bring more comedy to the part, but on advice from Shaun Sutton, Pertwee decided to play the part as himself.
During WW2, he served in the RNVR as an officer and was appointed to HMS Hood. He was fortunate to be returned to shore shortly before that vessel was sunk by the Bismarck.
He was a top class scuba diver.
Pertwee was self-conscious about the size of his nose. As a result, Doctor Who script editor Terrance Dicks added a line in The Time Warrior: Part Three 1973 describing the Doctor as a longshank rascal with a mighty nose.
Following instructions in his will, he was cremated with an effigy of Worzel Gummidge attached to his casket. As the casket slid, the effigy fell off, leading a mourner to call out, ‘That’s Jon for you. Always playing it for laughs. The mourners broke into laughter.
He was a talented water-skier and had a passion for fast cars and motorbikes. He rode his last bike, a Honda VT500E, until age 74, two years before his death.
On learning of Patrick Troughton’s departure from Doctor Who in 1969, his friend and Navy Lark colleague Tenniel Evans recommended he put his name forward. Pertwee initially doubted he would be wanted, but was surprised to find he was producer Peter Bryant’s second choice after Ron Moody.
He suffered from vertigo for many years.
At age 60, Pertwee added pop star to his repertoire in 1980 when Worzel’s Song reached the top 33 in the UK and stayed in the chart for seven weeks.
Of the 24 Doctor Who stories he starred in, he named The Dæmons: Episode One 1971 as his favourite.
He loved action films. He incorporated his trademark fight scenes and martial arts, explained as Venusian Aikido, because of this love. Due to his bad back, stuntman Terry Walsh usually doubled for him in most moves.
Like his predecessor Patrick Troughton, he died of a heart attack while visiting the United States.
His favorite aliens in Doctor Who were the Draconians from the 1973 story Frontier in Space. He liked the half-masks designed by John Friedlander for more expressive performances. He disliked the Daleks, describing them as silly.
He considered Aladdin 1992 to be the greatest animated film of all time, as well as one of the greatest films overall.
He died in his sleep of a heart attack while on holiday in the USA, staying with actor Richard Neilson in Timber Lake, Connecticut.
He was a good friend of Spike Milligan, though later in life they argued over who was the bigger Aladdin fan. He also considered Peter Sellers a friend.
His favourite song was Georgia on My Mind by Ray Charles.
He worked hard to bring Worzel Gummidge 1979 to television and counted it as his favourite role. He persuaded writers Willis Hall and Keith Waterhouse to write a television pilot. He was disappointed the series ended when Southern Television lost its franchise.
He had a reputation as a great raconteur, comedian, and impressionist, making him a popular guest on talk shows and at Doctor Who conventions. He was the only TV Doctor interviewed on the original run of Parkinson 1971 while the show was still airing.
He was the oldest living Doctor from William Hartnell’s death in 1975 until his own death in 1996. Upon his death, Tom Baker became the oldest and earliest living Doctor. Pertwee was the second longest-lived actor to play the Doctor until surpassed by Baker in 2010.
He came from a successful theatrical family: son of Roland Pertwee, younger brother of Michael Pertwee, first cousin of Bill Pertwee, and father of actors Sean Pertwee and Dariel Pertwee.
Prior to Doctor Who in 1970, he was already a household name for his role in the long-running BBC radio comedy The Navy Lark, playing Chief Petty Officer Pertwee and other characters from 1959 to 1977.
His final screen appearance was in a Doctor Who-inspired advertisement for Vodaphone in 1996, shot a week before his death.
A rebellious youth, he was expelled from multiple private schools, including one for swinging from lavatory chains in a Tarzan imitation. He was also expelled from RADA after refusing to play the wind.
Pertwee was in consideration for the role of Captain Mainwaring in Dad’s Army, which went to Arthur Lowe. He claimed he refused it as he was working on Broadway.
He appeared once on BBC television’s team quiz show Quiz Ball 1966 as a substitute for Jimmy Logan, playing for Scotland, and they won.
According to fellow Doctor Who star Peter Davison, there was mutual tension between Pertwee and Tom Baker whenever they were in the same room.
He knew Laurence Olivier personally as a young man because Olivier was a family friend.
His experience in the British Navy during WWII inspired him to conceive the BBC radio comedy The Navy Lark. He was a star of the series for many years, providing voices for many characters.
He was a friend of osteopath Stephen Ward, a key figure in the Profumo scandal. Despite Ward’s ruined reputation and suicide, Pertwee defended his friend’s reputation until his death.
He was Steven Spielberg’s choice for Alfred Pennyworth opposite Harrison Ford in a Batman adaptation that Spielberg considered. His son Sean later played Alfred in Gotham.
He appeared in three films co-written by his brother Michael Pertwee: Trouble in the Air 1948, Ladies Who Do 1963, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum 1966.
Doctor Who: The Movie 1996 included a dedication to his memory, broadcast just a week after his death.
He was delighted when his wife told him he was invited to appear in the new Columbus film, but was disappointed to receive the script of Carry on Columbus 1992 instead of 1492: Conquest of Paradise.
He was originally meant to star in The Baby and the Battleship 1956 but was replaced when George Cole walked out.
He was the original choice for the role of Elliot Hoover in Audrey Rose 1977.
He appeared in two comedy films set in ancient Rome: Carry on Cleo 1964 and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum 1966.
He was in consideration for the roles of Dr. Hans Fallada, Dr. Armstrong, and Sir Percy Heseltine in Lifeforce 1985.
He gave advice to Sir David Jason when Jason was starting his acting career, which Jason acknowledged in his autobiography.
His closest friend in later life was broadcaster David Jacobs.
He wrote two autobiographies: Moon Boots and Dinner Suits and I am the Doctor.
He played Lycus in the original stage production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, but the film role went to Phil Silvers for name recognition.
The death of Roger Delgado and departure of Katy Manning in 1973 dented his enthusiasm for playing the Doctor, though he got on with new companion Elisabeth Sladen and reunited with her for The Five Doctors 1983.
The long-running radio show The Navy Lark made him a household name.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 35

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Jon Pertwee.

When was Jon Pertwee born?

He was born on July 7, 1919 in Chelsea, London. His full name was John Devon Roland Pertwee.
Where was Jon Pertwee born?

He was born in Chelsea, London, England, UK. The Chelsea area of London is his birthplace.
When did Jon Pertwee die?

He died on May 20, 1996 at the age of 76. His death occurred while on holiday in the United States.
How did Jon Pertwee die?

He died of a heart attack in his sleep. The heart attack occurred at a friend’s house in Timber Lake, Connecticut.
How old was Jon Pertwee when he died?

He was 76 years old. He was born on July 7, 1919 and died on May 20, 1996.
Where did Jon Pertwee die?

He died in Timber Lake, Connecticut, USA. He was staying with actor Richard Neilson and his wife.
What was Jon Pertwee's birth name?

His birth name was John Devon Roland Pertwee. He was named after the apostle John, Devon the county, and Roland after his father.
What did Jon Pertwee do for a living?

He was an actor, writer, and music crew member. He had a 60-year career in radio, film, television, and cabaret.
What nationality was Jon Pertwee?

He was British, from the United Kingdom. He was born in London, England.
Who were Jon Pertwee's parents?

His father was Roland Pertwee, a playwright, painter, and actor. His mother was Avice, an actress.
Who was Jon Pertwee married to?

He was married twice: first to actress Jean Marsh, and later to Ingeborg Rhoesa. He remained married to Ingeborg until his death.
Did Jon Pertwee have children?

Yes, he had two children: actor Sean Pertwee and actress Dariel Pertwee. Sean is known for his role in Gotham.
Did Jon Pertwee have siblings?

Yes, he had an older brother Michael Pertwee, who was also a writer. Michael co-wrote several films in which Jon appeared.
Where did Jon Pertwee go to school?

He attended Sherborne School, Frensham Heights School, and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He was expelled from RADA for refusing to play the wind in a play.
What is Jon Pertwee best known for?

His most recognized role is portraying the Third Doctor in Doctor Who from 1970 to 1974. He also starred in the radio comedy The Navy Lark and the TV series Worzel Gummidge.
How tall was Jon Pertwee?

He was 6 feet 3 inches tall, or 1.89 meters. This height earned him the nickname The Tall Light Bulb.
Why was Jon Pertwee called The Tall Light Bulb?

He was called The Tall Light Bulb likely due to his height and bald head. The nickname reflects his distinctive appearance.
What role did Jon Pertwee play under the alias The Scarlet Pimpernel?

He played the Scarlet Pimpernel in a production. The Scarlet Pimpernel is a classic character, and Pertwee performed as him in some capacity.
Who was Jon Pertwee's cousin?

His cousin was actor Bill Pertwee. Bill Pertwee was known for his role in the sitcom Dad’s Army.
What was Jon Pertwee's favourite Doctor Who story?

He named The Dæmons from 1971 as his favourite among the 24 stories he starred in. He particularly enjoyed the episode.
What was Jon Pertwee's favourite role?

He named Worzel Gummidge as his favourite role. He helped bring the character to television and was disappointed when the series ended.
Did Jon Pertwee serve in World War II?

Yes, he served in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve as an officer. He was stationed on HMS Hood but was transferred ashore shortly before it was sunk.
What was Jon Pertwee's connection to James Bond?

He served alongside Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, in British Intelligence during WWII. This has led to speculation that he was an inspiration for the character.
Who is Jon Pertwee's famous son?

His son is actor Sean Pertwee. Sean is known for playing Alfred Pennyworth on the TV series Gotham.
What radio show made Jon Pertwee a household name?

The BBC radio comedy The Navy Lark, in which he played Chief Petty Officer Pertwee from 1959 to 1977. He also co-created the show.
Which actor turned down the role of Captain Mainwaring that Pertwee was considered for?

Arthur Lowe eventually played Captain Mainwaring in Dad’s Army. Pertwee claimed he was offered it but turned it down to work on Broadway.
What was Jon Pertwee's favourite song?

His favourite song was Georgia on My Mind by Ray Charles. He was a lifelong fan of cartoons and had diverse interests.
What was The Waistcoat Club?

He co-founded The Waistcoat Club with his brother Michael Pertwee in 1953. The club aimed to counter the drabness of men’s fashion, and Pertwee had a large collection of waistcoats.
What was Jon Pertwee's final screen appearance?

His final screen appearance was in a 1996 Doctor Who-inspired advertisement for Vodaphone. It was filmed just a week before his death.
What was Jon Pertwee's favourite animated film?

He considered Aladdin 1992 the greatest animated film of all time. He was a lifelong fan of cartoons and animation.
Did Jon Pertwee write any books?

Yes, he wrote two autobiographies: Moon Boots and Dinner Suits and I am the Doctor. They provide insight into his life and career.
Who were Jon Pertwee's close friends in Doctor Who?

He became close friends with co-stars Nicholas Courtney, Roger Delgado, and Katy Manning. Delgado’s death in 1973 greatly affected him and contributed to his decision to leave the show.
What was the name of the Doctor Who story that featured a line about Pertwee's nose?

In the episode The Time Warrior: Part Three 1973, the Doctor is described as a longshank rascal with a mighty nose. This was a deliberate reference to Pertwee’s self-consciousness about his nose.
Was Jon Pertwee the first Doctor in color?

Yes, when he took over the role in 1970, Doctor Who transitioned from black-and-white to color. He was the first Doctor to appear in color.
What was the profession of Jon Pertwee's father?

His father Roland Pertwee was a playwright, painter, and actor. He came from a family with a long show business tradition.

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Audited & updated by

If something's wrong in a profile, Daniel will find it. With 7 years of research experience, he's developed an almost unreasonable eye for inaccurate career timelines, misattributed credits, and dates that don't quite add up. He doesn't publish anything he can't verify. The profiles on Famousy are as accurate as they are largely because of work you'll never see his name on.

Published on June 16, 2026

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