William Hartnell
Biography
William Hartnell was an English actor who began in repertory theater and Shakespearean touring before finding success in British films. Born in St Pancras, London, he trained at the Italia Conti Drama School and joined Frank Benson's company in 1925. After appearing in the stage play Brighton Rock, he took his breakthrough role as Sergeant Ned Fletcher in The Way Ahead (1944). Tough military parts followed, including the television sitcom The Army Game and the film Carry On Sergeant (1958). He later played a more sympathetic character in This Sporting Life (1963). In 1963 he was cast as the Doctor in Doctor Who, playing the character's first incarnation. He reprised the part in The Three Doctors (1972 to 1973) and died in 1975.
67years old at death
- Born St Pancras
- Died Marden
- Star sign: CapricornThe sign runs December 22 to January 19
- William Henry Hartnell (birth name)
Movie Career
- Films
- 16
- Career span
- 73 years1944 to 2017
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Early training
Blaker funded Hartnell's studies at the Italia Conti Drama School, where he began in late 1923. Among the actors also there were Jack Hawkins, Barry and Roger Livesey, and Frederick Peisley.
A role that slipped away
Hartnell declined a supporting part as a sergeant in The Third Man (1949), wanting the lead instead, which Joseph Cotten got. He came to regret turning it down because the film did well, particularly in the United States.
A role that slipped away
Producer Norman Spencer said Hartnell was cast in Noël Coward's 1942 film In Which We Serve, but was fired after arriving late on the first day and being scolded in front of the cast and crew. Michael Anderson, a unit production manager, got the role.
Big break
Hartnell played a sergeant in The Way Ahead, and the part made him a leading actor. British National Films then signed him for four films, the first being The Agitator.
Languages
Hartnell's first TV role after Doctor Who came in 1967, when he played a rent collector and former sergeant major in one episode of No Hiding Place. Two Indian co-stars taught him some Hindustani for it.
William Hartnell movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Carol Reed directed two of these films, John Boulting two. Three actors appear in four of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Tom Baker's page
Patrick Troughton's page
Jon Pertwee's page
Peter Capaldi's page
Peter Davison's page
Marianne Stone's page
All films by Carol Reed
John BoultingDirector, 2 films, 1948 to 1963
All films by John Boulting
Also two films together12 more actors
- Richard HarrisThis Sporting Life (1963) and Shake Hands with the Devil (1959)
- Peter SellersHeavens Above! (1963) and The Mouse That Roared (1959)
- David TennantDoctor Who: The Day of the Doctor (2013) and Doctor Who: The Next Doctor (2008)
- Cyril CusackShake Hands with the Devil (1959) and Odd Man Out (1947)
- Matt LucasDoctor Who: Twice Upon a Time (2017) and Doctor Who: The Husbands of River Song (2015)
- Hermione BaddeleyThe Pickwick Papers (1952) and Brighton Rock (1948)
- James DonaldThe Pickwick Papers (1952) and The Way Ahead (1944)
- Eric BarkerHeavens Above! (1963) and Carry On Sergeant (1958)
- Jenna ColemanDoctor Who: Twice Upon a Time (2017) and Doctor Who: The Day of the Doctor (2013)
- Nicholas BriggsDoctor Who: Twice Upon a Time (2017) and Doctor Who: The Next Doctor (2008)
- Gerald CampionCarry On Sergeant (1958) and The Pickwick Papers (1952)
- Marjorie RhodesHell Drivers (1957) and Footsteps in the Fog (1955)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.