David Jason facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir David Jason OBE
Jason in 2012
Born	David John White (1940-02-02) 2 February 1940 (age 85) Edmonton, Middlesex, England
Occupation	Actor, comedian, screenwriter, television producer
Years active	1963–present
Spouse(s)	Gill Hinchcliffe ​ (m. 2005)​
Partner(s)	Myfanwy Talog (1977–1995; her death)
Children	2
Relatives	Arthur White (brother)

Sir David Jason (born David John White on February 2, 1940) is a very famous English actor. He is well-known for playing many popular characters on TV. These include Derek "Del Boy" Trotter in the comedy show Only Fools and Horses, Detective Inspector Jack Frost in A Touch of Frost, and Granville in Open All Hours. He also voiced many cartoon characters, like Mr. Toad in The Wind in the Willows, the BFG, and the main characters in Danger Mouse and Count Duckula.

In 2006, David Jason was voted the top star in a poll for ITV's 50th anniversary. He was made a knight in 2005 for his amazing work in acting and comedy. He has won many important awards, including four British Academy Television Awards (BAFTAs) and several National Television Awards.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

David Jason's father, Arthur Robert White, worked at a fish market. His mother, Olwen Jones, was from Wales and worked as a cleaner. David was born in February 1940 with a twin brother, but sadly, his twin passed away.

He chose "Jason" as his stage name because he liked the movie Jason and the Argonauts. The name "David White" was already being used by another actor.

David grew up in North Finchley, London. After school, he wanted to be an actor, just like his older brother, Arthur White. However, his father told him to learn a trade first. So, David trained as an electrician for six years before becoming an actor.

David and his brother Arthur have acted together in some shows. Arthur played Ernie Trigg in A Touch of Frost and also appeared in The Colour of Magic and The Darling Buds of May.

Starting His TV Journey

David Jason began his TV career in 1964. He played Bert Bradshaw in the show Crossroads. In 1967, he was in a children's comedy series called Do Not Adjust Your Set. He played a funny superhero named Captain Fantastic.

Later, in 1968, he almost got a role in the famous comedy Dad's Army. The show's creator, David Croft, thought he was perfect for the part of Lance Corporal Jones. But another BBC boss chose a more well-known actor instead. David Jason later said, "I was cast at 12 o'clock and sacked by three." He also missed out on a main role in Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em because some thought he didn't have "star quality."

In the 1970s, David Jason also worked on radio comedies. He appeared in shows like Week Ending and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. He also performed on stage in London.

His talent caught the eye of comedian Ronnie Barker. David Jason then appeared with Ronnie Barker in shows like Hark at Barker and His Lordship Entertains. He also played the helpful employee Granville in the comedy Open All Hours. This show became very popular and ran for many years. He also appeared with Ronnie Barker in the prison comedy Porridge.

Voice Acting for Kids' Shows

In the 1980s, David Jason became a popular voice actor for children's TV shows. He worked with a company called Cosgrove Hall.

He voiced many beloved characters, including:

• Danger Mouse
• The BFG
• Count Duckula
• Hugo from Victor and Hugo
• Toad from The Wind in the Willows

He also voiced Father Christmas in Father Christmas and the Missing Reindeer and characters in animated films like Wombling Free and The Water Babies.

Becoming a Leading Star

Jason with Corporal Oliver Kennedy and Hermione Norris at the Sun Military Awards in 2012

In 1981, David Jason got the role of Del Boy Trotter in the BBC comedy Only Fools and Horses. Del Boy is a street-smart trader from South London who tries to make money, often in funny ways. He works with his brother Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst) and his Grandad (Lennard Pearce) or Uncle Albert (Buster Merryfield). This show became one of Britain's most loved comedies.

David Jason also showed his talent in serious roles. He played Skullion in Porterhouse Blue and Sidney "Pop" Larkin in the charming rural show The Darling Buds of May. This show also featured a young Catherine Zeta-Jones.

In 1992, he signed a deal with ITV to star as Detective Inspector Jack Frost in the long-running TV series A Touch of Frost. He played this role for 16 years.

In 2006, he was voted the number one star in ITV's poll of "TV's Greatest Stars." He also appeared in Terry Pratchett's Hogfather and Terry Pratchett's The Colour of Magic.

In 2013, he returned to play Granville in Still Open All Hours, a new series based on the original show. He also voiced Captain Skipper in the animated series Pip Ahoy!. In 2021, he made a surprise appearance as Del Boy in the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.

Honours and Personal Life

In 1993, David Jason was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). Twelve years later, in 2005, he was made a knight by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to acting and comedy. He said he was "humbled" by this "fantastic tribute."

David Jason lived with his girlfriend, actress Myfanwy Talog, for 18 years until she passed away in 1995. In 2001, at the age of 61, he became a father when his girlfriend, Gill Hinchcliffe, gave birth to their daughter. David and Gill married in 2005.

David Jason supports several charities. He is a patron of the Shark Trust, which works to protect sharks. He is also an Honorary Vice Patron of the Royal International Air Tattoo, a big air show. He is a qualified helicopter pilot.

In 2013, he released his autobiography called David Jason: My Life. He has since released two more books about his career.

Selected Works

David Jason has had a long and successful career in television, film, and radio. Here are some of his notable roles:

Television

• Do Not Adjust Your Set (1967–1969) – Various characters
• Open All Hours (1976–1985) – Granville
• Only Fools and Horses (1981–2003) – Derek "Del Boy" Trotter
• The Darling Buds of May (1991–1993) – Pop Larkin
• A Touch of Frost (1992–2010) – DI Jack Frost
• Still Open All Hours (2013–2019) – Granville

Film

• Under Milk Wood (1972) – Nogood Boyo
• Royal Flash (1975) – The Mayor

Animation Voice Roles

• Danger Mouse (1981–1992) – Danger Mouse, Count Duckula, and others
• The Wind in the Willows (1983) – Mr. Toad, Chief Weasel
• Count Duckula (1988–1993) – Count Duckula
• The BFG (1989) – The BFG
• Pip Ahoy! (2014–2020) – Skipper

Awards and Achievements

David Jason has won many awards throughout his career. His most famous show, Only Fools and Horses, received many honours. His crime drama A Touch of Frost also won and was nominated for awards many times.

Here are some of his major awards:

• 1987: BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor (for Porterhouse Blue)
• 1990: British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy Actor (for A Bit of a Do)
• 1990: BAFTA TV Award for Best Light Entertainment Performance (for Only Fools and Horses)
• 1992: British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy Actor (for The Darling Buds of May)
• 1996: National Television Award for Most Popular Comedy Performer (for Only Fools and Horses)
• 1996: National Television Award Special Recognition Award
• 1996: BAFTA TV Award for Best Comedy Performance (for Only Fools and Horses)
• 1997: British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy Actor (for Only Fools and Horses)
• 1997: National Television Award for Most Popular Actor (for Only Fools and Horses)
• 2001: British Comedy Award for Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2001: National Television Award for Most Popular Actor (for A Touch of Frost)
• 2001: National Television Award for Most Popular Comedy Performer (for Only Fools and Horses)
• 2002: National Television Award for Most Popular Actor (for A Touch of Frost)
• 2003: BAFTA Fellowship (a special award for outstanding contribution to television)
• 2011: National Television Award for Outstanding Drama Performance (for A Touch of Frost)

See also

In Spanish: David Jason para niños