Patrick Troughton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Patrick Troughton
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| Born |
Patrick George Troughton
25 March 1920 |
| Died | 28 March 1987 (aged 67) |
| Resting place | Ashes scattered at Bushy Park, Teddington, Greater London, England |
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| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1947–1987 |
| Spouse(s) |
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| Children | 6, including David and Michael |
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Patrick George Troughton (born March 25, 1920 – died March 28, 1987) was an English actor. He trained for the stage but became famous for his roles in television and movies. He appeared in many fantasy, science fiction, and horror films.
Patrick Troughton is best known for playing the Second Doctor in the popular British science-fiction TV show Doctor Who. He played the Doctor from 1966 to 1969. He also returned to the role in 1972–1973, 1983, and 1985. Many of his early TV shows, including some of his Doctor Who episodes, were unfortunately lost or destroyed by broadcasters.
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Early life and education
Patrick Troughton was born in Mill Hill, Middlesex, England, on March 25, 1920. His father, Alec George Troughton, was a lawyer. His mother was Dorothy Evelyn Offord. Patrick had an older brother, Alec Robert, and a younger sister, Mary Edith.
He went to Mill Hill School and lived in Mill Hill for most of his life. While at school, he acted in a play called Bees on the Boat Deck in 1937. Troughton later studied acting at the Embassy School of Acting in London. He also won a scholarship to study acting in New York, in the United States.
World War II service
When World War II started, Troughton left his studies in the U.S. to join the war effort in Great Britain. On his way back, his ship hit a sea mine near Britain. He escaped in a lifeboat as the ship sank.
In 1940, Troughton joined the Royal Navy. He served on ships that protected convoys along the East Coast of Britain. Later, he was part of Coastal Forces' Motor Gun Boats in the North Sea and English Channel. He was recognized for his bravery and leadership during his service.
Acting career
After the war, Patrick Troughton returned to acting in the theatre. He worked with several theatre companies.
First TV and film roles
He made his first TV appearance in 1947. In 1948, he appeared in his first movie, Hamlet. He also had a small role as a pirate in Disney's Treasure Island (1950).
In 1953, Troughton became the first actor to play the famous folk hero Robin Hood on television. He starred in six episodes of a BBC show simply called Robin Hood. He also appeared in another Robin Hood series later on. He played Tyrrell in the film Richard III (1955).
Troughton had many other notable roles. He played Phineus in the fantasy film Jason and the Argonauts (1963). He also played Paul of Tarsus in a BBC series in 1960. Before Doctor Who, he appeared in many TV shows like Danger Man, The Saint, and Z-Cars.
Becoming the Doctor
In 1966, the producer of Doctor Who, Innes Lloyd, needed to find a new actor for the main role. The show's future depended on viewers accepting a different actor. The first Doctor, William Hartnell, even approved of the choice. Lloyd chose Troughton because he was a very experienced and versatile actor.
Troughton thought about different ways to play the Doctor. He wanted his version to be different from Hartnell's. He considered ideas like a "tough sea captain" or a pirate. The show's creator, Sydney Newman, suggested the Doctor could be a "cosmic hobo," like Charlie Chaplin. This is the idea they went with. Patrick Troughton was the first Doctor whose face appeared in the show's opening credits. In one story, The Enemy of the World, he even played two characters: the Doctor and the villain, Salamander.
During his time on Doctor Who, Troughton preferred to stay out of the spotlight. He rarely gave interviews. He once said, "I think acting is magic. If I tell you all about myself it will spoil it." He worried that too much fame might limit his future acting roles.
Troughton was well-liked by the show's team and his co-stars. The producer, Innes Lloyd, said Troughton was like a "father figure" to everyone. Troughton was also known for being a practical joker on set.
The filming schedule for Doctor Who was very demanding, with 40 to 44 episodes a year. Troughton found it very tiring. He decided to leave the series in 1969 after three years. He also wanted to avoid being typecast as only the Doctor.
Returning to Doctor Who
Patrick Troughton came back to Doctor Who three times after leaving. His first return was in The Three Doctors in 1972–73. This story opened the show's 10th season.
In 1983, he appeared in the 20th anniversary special, The Five Doctors. He also attended Doctor Who fan events and conventions. Troughton enjoyed returning to the show so much that he agreed to appear one more time. He played the Second Doctor with Colin Baker's Sixth Doctor in The Two Doctors (1985). He even advised Fifth Doctor actor Peter Davison to only stay in the role for three years to avoid being typecast.
In 2013, the BBC made a TV movie about the early days of Doctor Who for its 50th anniversary. It was called An Adventure in Space and Time, and actor Reece Shearsmith played Patrick Troughton.
Later career
After leaving Doctor Who in 1969, Patrick Troughton continued to act in many films and TV shows. His film roles included Father Brennan in The Omen (1976) and Melanthius in Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977).
On television, he played Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk in The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1970). He also appeared in shows like The Goodies, Coronation Street, and Minder. In 1984, he played Cole Hawlings in the TV show The Box of Delights, based on a children's book.
Troughton had some health problems later in his life, including a heart condition. He continued to work a lot despite this. His last filmed role was in an episode of Super Gran in May 1987. His final TV appearance was in Knights of God, which had been filmed two years earlier. He also appeared in the first episode of Inspector Morse in 1987.
Personal life
Patrick Troughton married his first wife, Margaret Dunlop, in 1943. They had three children together: Joanna, David, and Michael.
Later, Patrick Troughton had three more children with Ethel Margaret "Bunny" Nuens: Jane, Peter, and Mark. In 1976, he married Shelagh Holdup. His children David and Michael became actors. His grandsons, Sam Troughton, William Troughton, and Harry Melling, are also actors. Another grandson, Jim Troughton, played professional cricket.
Death
On March 27, 1987, just after his 67th birthday, Patrick Troughton was a guest at a science fiction convention in Columbus, Georgia, United States. He was in good spirits and took part in the day's events.
Sadly, Troughton suffered a heart attack on March 28, 1987, and passed away instantly. His ashes were flown back to England and scattered by his widow, Shelagh, in Bushy Park, a place he loved.
Images for kids
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Patrick Troughton in a promotional photo for R.U.R. in 1948.
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Patrick Troughton at a convention in Minneapolis–Saint Paul in October 1986.
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Patrick Troughton (left) in a publicity photo for the 1976 film The Omen.
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