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Nickname:	The Tall Light Bulb (coined by Tom Baker)
Known for:	Worzel Gummidge, Doctor Who: The Five Doctors, The Airzone Solution
Birth name:	John Devon Roland Pertwee
Birthday:	7 July 1919, Chelsea, London, England, UK
Height:	6' 3" (1.91 m)

Brother of Michael Pertwee. Known as a comedy actor until he was cast in a dramatic and action role as the third Doctor in Doctor Who. Son of Roland Pertwee. Cousin of Bill Pertwee. Father of actress Dariel Pertwee and of actor Sean Pertwee. Was well-known for his role in the radio comedy series, "Navy Lark, The", where he played the role of Chief Petty Officer Pertwee. He changed his name from "John" to "Jon" as a young actor. He was told several times when he was young that he would never become a successful actor, due to such problems as a partial lisp and a close resemblance to the American actor Danny Kaye. Knew Laurence Olivier personally when he was a young man. His closest friend in later life was the broadcaster David Jacobs. . The 60 year old actor added pop star to his repertoire in 1980 when 'Worzel's Song' reached the top 33 in the UK and stayed in the chart for seven weeks. He contacted the BBC about the vacant role of the main character in Doctor Who in 1969 on the recommendation of his Navy Lark colleague, Tenniel Evans. Jon was considered for the role of Captain Mainwaring in the BBC series Dad's Army, which eventually went to Arthur Lowe. Played "Lycus" in the original stage production of "Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, A". The film role was given to Phil Silvers since Phil Silvers had greater name recognition internationally. He worked hard to bring the character of Worzel Gummidge (Worzel Gummidge) to the television screen and counted it as his favourite role. His experience of serving in the British Navy during the Second World War inspired him to conceive the popular BBC radio comedy "Navy Lark, The". He was a star of the series for many years and provided the voices for many of the diverse characters. During WW2 he served in the RNVR as an officer. He was appointed to HMS Hood from which he was extremely fortunate to be returned to shore shortly before that vessel was sunk by the Bismarck. Was a friend of Stephen Ward, a key figure in the John Profumo political scandal in the UK in the early 1960's. Following the instructions in his will, Jon Pertwee was cremated with an effigy of the bumbling scarecrow Worzel Gummidge (Worzel Gummidge, his favourite role), attached to his casket. As the casket slid between the curtains, the effigy fell off and landed on the floor, leading one mourner to call out "That's Jon for you. Always playing it for laughs". The mourners all broke into laughter. He was a talented water-skier and had a passion for fast cars and motorbikes. He carried on riding his last bike, a Honda VT500E, until he was 74, two years before his death. Died in his sleep of a heart attack while he and his wife were on holiday in the USA, staying with actor Richard Neilson and his wife at their house in Timber Lake, Connecticut. Appeared once on BBC television's team quiz show "Quizball" as a last minute substitute for comedian Jimmy Logan, and found himself playing for Scotland. They won. Was originally meant to star in The Baby and the Battleship with George Cole, but was replaced when Cole walked out.

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