doctor

[the s star]

who was the oldest person ever to play dr. Who?

[Robble]

That'd be William Hartnell who was the first Doctor- IMDB has his birthday at 08/01/1908 making him 55 when took the role...

[elgroucho]

Yes Robble, and he played the part for another 3 years, meaning he was 58 when he stopped.

Jon Pertwee wass 55 when he quit, so Hartnell was the oldest doctor.

[Robble]

Trick question then - who was the 2nd oldest?

[Robble]

Actually - I'll answer my own question here cos technically I was wrong before. Richard Hurndall who took over Hartnell's role in The Five Doctor's story in 1983 was born 03/11/1910 meaning he was 2 years younger than Hartnell but playing the Doctor at a ripe old age of 73 - thus making him the oldest actor to play the role - head hurts now...! Phew!

[tonymclark]

I'm going to be a fan-boy here and say that only in the 1960's cinema films, "Doctor Who and the Daleks" and "Daleks - Invasion Earth 2150AD", did the character ever introduce himself as Doctor Who ( played by Peter Cushing ).

The character was credited as Dr Who or Doctor Who throughout most of the programme's run.

Peter Davison, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy were all credited as "The Doctor".

But I know what you mean, and the answers given are correct.

So far, the actors have died in order of their appearence in the show. Tom Baker should be worried!