Patrick Troughton

He was considered for the roles of Dr. Armstrong and Sir Percy Heseltine in Lifeforce (1985). However, Patrick Stewart and Aubrey Morris were cast respectively.

When it was announced in 1980 that Peter Davison was to play the Fifth Doctor, he advised the 29-year-old actor to limit his time on the series to three years, as he had done, in order to avoid being typecast. Davison followed this advise. In March 1987, only weeks before Troughton's death, Davison advised Sylvester McCoy, who had been announced as the Seventh Doctor that month, to do likewise.

He was the earliest living Doctor from the death of William Hartnell on April 23, 1975 until his own death on March 28, 1987. As he predeceased Jon Pertwee, nine months his senior, he was never the oldest living Doctor.

He was the only actor to play the Doctor and his nemesis in the same story, which was Doctor Who: The Enemy of the World: Episode 1 (1967), in which he played a Hispanic dictator named Salamander. It is considered by many to be a tour de force by Troughton during his time on the series. Unfortunately, at some point between 1972 and 1978, the BBC wiped all except episode three of this serial. However, the discovery of 16mm film prints of the complete serial in Nigeria made national news in the UK in the series' 50th anniversary year.

He claimed to have had a "whale of a time" playing the Second Doctor in Doctor Who (1963). He also developed a close relationship with his co-star Frazer Hines, who said working with Troughton was the happiest time in his long acting career. They had previously worked together in Smuggler's Bay (1964) and came back to the series for Doctor Who: The Five Doctors (1983) and Doctor Who: The Two Doctors: Part One (1985).

Troughton once claimed his favourite role on television had been Daniel Quilp in the BBC's adaptation of Charles Dickens's classic story The Old Curiosity Shop (1962). Like much television from the era, not a single episode exists today.

He appeared in episodes of three different series with Roger Moore: Ivanhoe (1958), The Saint (1962) and The Persuaders! (1971).

He played Sir James Tyrrell in Richard III (1955) while his grandson Sam Troughton played George, Duke of Clarence in The Hollow Crown: Richard III (2016).

He was the first actor to play the legendary folk hero Robin Hood on television, in Robin Hood (1953). The series ran for six episodes in March and April 1953 and were broadcast live. Coincidentally, his grandson Sam Troughton plays Much, a trusted friend and ally of the character, in Robin Hood (2006).

He was one of a select few classically trained actors to be cast by Laurence Olivier in his film Hamlet (1948). The young Troughton was also cast in another acclaimed Olivier production, Richard III (1955).

He appeared in two adaptations of "Hamlet" in as many years: Hamlet Part 1 (1947) and Hamlet (1948). He played Horatio in the former and the Player King in the latter.

He received the 1939-45 Star, the Atlantic star, the Defence medal, the 1939-45 war medal and a mention in dispatches during World War II.

He played Alan Breck in two different adaptations of Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 novel "Kidnapped": Kidnapped (1952) and Kidnapped (1956).

He appeared in two different adaptations of Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 novel "Treasure Island": Treasure Island (1950) and Treasure Island (1977). He played Roach in the former and Israel Hands in the latter.

He played British Prime Ministers in two separate ITV historical drama series: Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) in Jennie: Lady Randolph Churchill (1974) and Clement Attlee (1883-1967) in Edward & Mrs. Simpson (1978).