One of the most famous actors to play the Doctor was the late Jon Pertwee, who portrayed the iconic Time Lord's third incarnation for five seasons. Beloved by fans, Pertwee's casting resulted in Doctor Who achieving some of its highest ratings, as the series made the transition from black and white to color television.
Jon Pertwee sadly passed away in 1996 at the age of 76, and since his death fans have discovered many interesting facts about the actor's life. Pertwee's personal circumstances had taken some unexpected turns over the years, with the actor having made a few surprising educational and career choices. These aspects of Jon Pertwee's life are not so well-known, with audiences largely unaware of his adventurous past.
He Was A Circus Performer
Jon Pertwee developed a strong reputation as a thrill-seeker from an early age, and one of his most dangerous exploits came at the age of 16. During his mid-teenage years, he entertained many audiences as he made the brave decision to join the circus as a Wall Of Death rider (Via BBC Radio 4).
This risky stunt involved him riding a motorbike across the wall whilst a toothless lion sat beside him in the sidecar. Pertwee's life within the circus lasted for two years, before he left at 18 years of age to work as an actor for the BBC. However, this wasn't the end of Jon Pertwee's circus performances, as he later starred in the BBC's transmission of Billy Smart's Circus (Via BBC News), in a move that left many viewers entertained.
He Helped Design The Whomobile
Considered by fans as one of the best non-Sonic devices, the Whomobile is an especially iconic aspect of Jon Pertwee's era. However, what some viewers may not realize is that the Doctor himself was partly responsible for the vehicle's design. Jon Pertwee collaborated alongside two racecar engineers, in order to bring the Time Lord's remarkable car to life (Via Tor).
The result was a truly impressive piece of engineering. The Whomobile was fitted with everything from a television set to a computer bank, making it one of the most technologically advanced cars to feature during the classic series. Pertwee was especially enthusiastic about their creation, labeling it a "revolutionary" vehicle.
He Was In A Disney Movie
Jon Pertwee developed an extensive filmography across his acting career, but one of his least known roles came in the Disney movie One Of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing. Based on the book The Great Dinosaur Robbery, this family comedy movie saw Pertwee play Colonel Mortimer, who is determined to get his hands on the film's stolen dinosaur skeleton.
In this cinematic feature, Pertwee provided an especially entertaining performance. The actor's cameo delivered one of the film's greatest scenes, as the colonel rides on the dinosaur's back whilst it's transported through London. Demonstrating much of the eccentricity he displayed in his portrayal of the Doctor, Jon Pertwee's Colonel truly dominated the screen.
He Was Nearly Cast In Dad’s Army
Famous for his comedic acting, Jon Pertwee had featured in many comedy television programs and movies. He also came tantalizingly close to being cast in one of the UK's most beloved sitcoms, Dad's Army (According to Gold). The show follows Captain Mainwaring's useless platoon of soldiers as they attempt to defend the country during World War II, and is regarded by many as a must-watch British comedy.
Alongside actors including David Jason and Leonard Rossiter, Jon Pertwee was considered by the BBC for the role of Mainwaring. Ultimately, however, it was not to be, as Pertwee opted to turn down the part. Captain Mainwaring would eventually be portrayed by Arthur Lowe, who gave a hilariously pompous performance, but Jon Pertwee's alternate take still remains an intriguing thought to consider.
He Was A Talented Water Skier
Both on and off-screen, Jon Pertwee possessed an adventurous spirit. Partaking in numerous hobbies such as abseiling and scuba diving, he had no fear of perilous pursuits. A little-known fact about the actor, however, is that he was also a talented water skier. In 1964, he demonstrated his skills as part of a televised water ski circus (Via Pathe).
Amusingly gliding across the sea with his water skis disguised by a tin bath, Jon Pertwee displayed an impressive degree of talent. The actor remained steady and composed, despite the bathtub reaching increasingly fast speeds. Pertwee would later become the founding member of the Ruislip Water Ski Club (Via Hillingdon Gov), using his expertise to inspire others keen to partake in the sport.
He Was In Young Indiana Jones
Jon Pertwee's starring role in Doctor Who saw him appear in one of the biggest media franchises, but the actor also made a small appearance in another iconic series. With many viewers still unaware these Indy stories existed, Jon Pertwee's Young Indiana Jones role became one of his more obscure outings. The actor featured in the show's TV movie, Attack Of The Hawkmen, where he played the German general Von Kramer.
Jon Pertwee was particularly skilled at putting on a myriad of unique voices, and this film role allowed him to demonstrate his vocal techniques. The actor delivered an especially convincing German accent, providing a characterful performance in an otherwise brief role. It proved to be an entertaining star turn from Jon Pertwee, and one which deserves greater recognition.
He Was A Spy
The Third Doctor was a man of action, and the same was true of Jon Pertwee, whose early life saw him engaging in espionage. During the Second World War, the star worked as a secret agent for the Naval Intelligence Division (Via Daily Mail). Alongside his spy work, Pertwee was expected to teach commandoes secret service skills and attend regular meetings with Winston Churchill.
This surprising aspect of Pertwee's life also saw the actor work alongside one of the world's most famous authors. Ian Fleming, who would later write the James Bond novels as well as the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang book, developed a close bond with Jon Pertwee, recommending the spy agent for an undercover role in Tahiti. With Pertwee having utilized many James Bond-style gadgets, including smoking pipes that fired bullets and secret maps in handkerchiefs, the actor may have proved a major inspiration behind Fleming's later work.
He Released A Doctor Who Single
Doctor Who is known for its music, with the series having delivered some of the best soundtracks. Jon Pertwee released his own musical take on the show in 1972, entitled "Who Is The Doctor." This largely unknown facet of Pertwee's time on the show involved the actor delivering a monologue as the Doctor to a funky remix of the series' theme song.
"Who Is The Doctor" was an especially powerful performance from Jon Pertwee, as he delivered many inspirational quotes. Declaring "eternal wisdom" as his "guide" and referencing "a presence science can't deny," the actor's rendition was moving and profound. Despite these captivating lyrics, however, the song failed to chart, leaving most audiences unaware of its existence.
He Was Expelled From RADA
Before his sad passing in 1996, Jon Pertwee was one of the UK's most distinguished actors. It came as little surprise to Doctor Who fans, therefore, to learn that the actor studied at RADA. A lesser-known fact regarding his attendance at this prestigious acting school, however, is that he was also expelled for poor behavior (Via Independent).
Jon Pertwee was an unruly student during his time at this school. The actor's expulsion came after he was caught scrawling rude messages in the men's toilets. RADA's principal was quick to label him 'talentless' following this incident, but despite this setback, Pertwee was encouraged by actor Charles Laughton to continue pursuing his acting dreams. The result was one of Britain's most famous actors.
He Was Cremated With Worzel Gummidge
Outside of Doctor Who, Jon Pertwee's most famous role was Worzel Gummidge. The popular children's series saw the actor portray the titular scarecrow, who comes to life after he is visited by two orphan children. The part left such an impact on Jon Pertwee that he specifically requested to be cremated with Worzel Gummidge in his will (Via The Doctors Who's Who).
An effigy of the famous scarecrow was created for Jon Pertwee's burial, after he died of a heart attack in 1996. This was then attached to the front of the coffin, before it was lowered into the ground. Pertwee left the world with one of his most popular creations, as he found peace with Worzel Gummidge by his side.