David Jason
Biography
David Jason is an English actor who trained as an electrician before moving into acting on television, radio and the West End stage. Born in Edmonton, London, in 1940, he started his television career in 1965 and appeared in the children's comedy Do Not Adjust Your Set. He played Del Boy Trotter in Only Fools and Horses from 1981, and he also played Granville in Open All Hours and later in Still Open All Hours, Pop Larkin in The Darling Buds of May and Detective Inspector Jack Frost in A Touch of Frost. He provided voices for Danger Mouse, Count Duckula and the BFG, and appeared as Albert in Hogfather (2006). His honors include four BAFTA awards, four British Comedy Awards, seven National Television Awards and a knighthood in 2005.
86years old
Turns 87 on February 2in 84 days
- Born Edmonton
- Star sign: AquariusThe sign runs January 20 to February 18
- David John White (birth name)Also credited as Sir David John White
Movie Career
- Films
- 3
- Career span
- 31 years1975 to 2006
Every film, newest first
- 2006HogfatherIMDb rating 7.4
- 1990The BFGIMDb rating 6.7
- 1975Royal FlashIMDb rating 6.3
Genres
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A role that slipped away
David Jason was cast as Lance Corporal Jones in Dad's Army in 1968, but the BBC's Bill Cotton overruled David Croft and gave the part to Clive Dunn because Dunn was better known. Jason said he was cast at noon and sacked by three.
A role that slipped away
In 1973, Jason was passed over for the lead part of Frank Spencer in Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em. BBC executives at the time felt he did not have "star quality".
A change of course
David Jason spent six years training as an electrician. He then gave up that trade and became an actor who struggled to find work.
Beyond film
Jason played Brian Runnicles in the West End farce No Sex Please, We're British in 1973, a role he stayed with for 18 months.
Big break
Ronnie Barker noticed Jason's variety performances, where he was a supporting act for Dick Emery, and brought him into Hark at Barker in 1969. There he played Dithers, a gardener who was 100 years old.
David Jason movies on Netflix
Worked with
David Jason shares two films with Joss Ackland, and one with each of the others. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Joss Ackland's page
Malcolm McDowell's page
David Warner's page
Oliver Reed's page
Bob Hoskins's page
Michael Hordern's page
Vadim JeanDirector, 1 film, 2006
All films by Vadim Jean
Brian CosgroveDirector, 1 film, 1990
All films by Brian Cosgrove
All films by Richard Lester
Awards
Two awards and honors.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| Knight Bachelor | Won | ||
| Officer of the Order of the British Empire | Won | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.