dead William Russell

[The Watcher 320]

2 hours ago, drol said:

Surely to feature on the 2024 DL. Widely appreciated actor, turning 100 and dementia sufferer

William Russell certainly didn't look 39 when Dr Who first aired around the time of the JFK assassination. Back then anyone over 40 looked like today's 60! 

[The Old Crem 3,628]

Dead 

RIP

 

[drol 12,130]

This feels like a DL miss.

[msc 18,536]

Even expecting the remorseful day, still awful news. RIP.

[Commtech Sio Bibble 2,102]

As a massive fan of both Doctor Who, specifically the Hartnell years, and Coronation Street, this hurts like a bitch

[Bibliogryphon 9,642]

I saw him play Old Hamlet/The Player King in Hamlet at the RSC

[YoungWillz 21,189]

And Bang, my current first sub on my poker team is gone! Think I have him elsewhere.

 

While this is awful news for us fans devoted or passing of Who, we must remember he had a pretty good film resume as well.

 

RIP Chesterfield. (Little Hartnell reference ).

[drunkasaskunk 197]

I thought he died next week !!

[Windsor 2,235]

Always a shame when they get so close to 100 but don't make it. Mind you if he hadn't been fucking about in that time machine...

 

Second Shadow List hit in a week for me. From the very young, to the very old. 

[YoungWillz 21,189]

Sir, now that William Russell has gone, what do you think about alien life?

 

[Summer in Transylvania 2,208]

17 minutes ago, Windsor said:

Always a shame when they get so close to 100 but don't make it.

Well, you know what they say, not everyone makes it to 100 or is beyond 100.

[RoverAndOut 4,755]

A sad loss. Glad he got his little scene in Whittaker's farewell at the meeting of former companions. A reminder of the long history of Doctor Who, but another link to the past gone. Still got Carole and Waris Hussein, I think?

[prussianblue 1,067]

A sad loss. Have been working my way through classic Who on iPlayer since November and he was a real asset in those early years.

[msc 18,536]

1 hour ago, RoverAndOut said:

A sad loss. Glad he got his little scene in Whittaker's farewell at the meeting of former companions. A reminder of the long history of Doctor Who, but another link to the past gone. Still got Carole and Waris Hussein, I think?

 Carole Ann Ford is alive. As is Waris Hussein, though he's been a bit frail of late.

[Trome 130]

I thought he would reach 100
RIP

[The Old Crem 3,628]

1 hour ago, msc said:

 Carole Ann Ford is alive. As is Waris Hussein, though he's been a bit frail of late.

Doctor who directors seem to have a good lifespan - multiple ones from the early years still alive. 
 

While she was not an original cast member Maureen O’Brien is still around of course as well
 

 

[Sod's Law 471]

2 hours ago, prussianblue said:

A sad loss. Have been working my way through classic Who on iPlayer since November and he was a real asset in those early years.

Just a pity the very first episodes aren't on there thanks to Antony Coburn's deranged wackjob of a son.

[Handrejka 1,911]

I am quite sad about this too despite not being a Doctor Who fan.  He was in an episode of Robin of Sherwood, of which I am a big fan. 

[time 8,677]

Only since his death have I realised that the part he played in Coronation Street was that of Ted Sullivan. I used to watch the programme in those days, and remember the character (confectionery salesman, married Rita, died watching a bowls match iirc) but never made the connection.

[Commtech Sio Bibble 2,102]

On 23/10/2022 at 21:18, DaDeathGuy said:

I wonder if it sets a record for longest hiatus of an actor portraying a role.

 

I've just realised that of the 4 documented actors who've held the record for the longest gap between TV appearances playing the same character, 3 of them have died this year.

 

Current record holder William Russell who had a gap of 57 years (1965-2022) playing Ian Chesterton in Doctor Who died in June

Ysanne Churchman who held the record for 5 years with a gap of 43 years (1974-2017) playing Alpha Centauri in Doctor Who died in July

Kenneth Cope who held the record for 3 years with a gap of almost 42 years (1966-2008) playing Jed Stone in Coronation Street died last week

 

Philip Lowrie is now the only surviving record holder with a gap of almost 43 years (1968-2011) playing Dennis Tanner in Coronation Street.