John Leeson

John Leeson

82 · Born: Mar 16, 1943

Personal Details

BornMar 16, 1943 Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK

Biography

After completing his education, John Leeson embarked on a journey that would shape his future. He began by working in a bookshop, where he honed his skills and gained valuable experience. Subsequently, he secured a position as a porter at the Leicester Royal Infirmary Hospital, where he developed a strong work ethic and a sense of responsibility.

As his passion for the performing arts grew, John joined the Leicester Dramatic Society, a prestigious organization that would provide him with the opportunity to hone his craft. His exceptional talent and dedication ultimately led him to be accepted into the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, a renowned institution that would help him achieve his dreams.

Upon graduating from RADA, John began his career in repertory and pantomimes, where he had the opportunity to work alongside talented individuals and refine his skills. It was during this time that he met his future wife, with whom he would share a lifetime of love and support.

John's early work in television was marked by a series of small but significant roles, including a walk-on part in a BBC play called "The Wedding Feast." This was followed by appearances in "The Spanish Farm" (1968),"Dad's Army," and numerous situation comedies.

One of John's most notable roles was that of Bungle the bear in the popular children's series "Rainbow" (1972). He also set questions for the iconic game show "Mastermind" and provided voiceover services for the BBC on a freelance basis.

John's voice work for the BBC would eventually lead him to land the role of a lifetime - the voice of K-9 in the beloved science fiction series "Doctor Who." This iconic character would become an integral part of British popular culture, and John's contribution to the role would be remembered for generations to come.

In the years following his time in "Doctor Who," John continued to act and provide voiceover services for the BBC and other companies. He appeared in the "Doctor Who" spin-off video drama "Downtime" in 1995, playing the role of a disc jockey. Throughout his career, John has remained committed to his craft, always striving to deliver high-quality performances and make a lasting impact on the world of entertainment.

Career

{"id":191242,"title":"Rebels Without a Clue","year":"2014","character":"Shopkeeper","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/rebels-without-a-clue","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_191242.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_191242.jpg"},"released":1}
2014
{"id":103849906,"title":"SJA: Alien Files","year":2010,"character":"K9","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/sja-alien-files","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_103849906.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_103849906.jpg"},"released":1}
2010
{"id":8783,"title":"The Sarah Jane Adventures","year":2010,"character":"K9 (voice)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/the-sarah-jane-adventures","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/71m995f0fuj0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/71m995f0fuj0.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":7745,"title":"K9","year":2009,"character":"K-9 (voice)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/k9","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_7745.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_7745.jpg"},"released":1}
2009
K9
K9 as K-9 (voice)
{"id":149666,"title":"The Sarah Jane Adventures","year":"2007","character":"K9","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-sarah-jane-adventures","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_149666.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_149666.jpg"},"released":1}
2007
{"id":184554,"title":"Doctor Who: Shada","year":"2003","character":"K9 (voice)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/doctor-who-shada-2003","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_184554.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_184554.jpg"},"released":1}
2003
Doctor Who: Shada
Doctor Who: Shada as K9 (voice)
{"id":54897,"title":"K9 Unleashed","year":"2000","character":"","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/k9-unleashed","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_54897.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_54897.jpg"},"released":1}
2000
{"id":156283,"title":"Where on Earth Is... Katy Manning Because She'd Really Like to Know!","year":"1998","character":"","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/where-on-earth-is-katy-manning-because-shed-really-like-to-know-1998","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_156283.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_156283.jpg"},"released":1}
1998
{"id":57715,"title":"Downtime","year":"1995","character":"Anthony the D.J.","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/downtime-1995","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_57715.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_57715.jpg"},"released":1}
1995
Downtime
Downtime as Anthony the D.J.
{"id":8553,"title":"Minder","year":1994,"character":"Passport Officer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/minder","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_8553.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_8553.jpg"},"released":1}
1994
Minder
Minder as Passport Officer
{"id":61278,"title":"Whoops Apocalypse","year":"1986","character":"TV Interviewer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/whoops-apocalypse","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_61278.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_61278.jpg"},"released":1}
1986
Whoops Apocalypse
Whoops Apocalypse as TV Interviewer
{"id":162314,"title":"Doctor Who","year":"1983","character":"K9 (voice)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/doctor-who-1983","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_162314.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_162314.jpg"},"released":1}
1983
Doctor Who
Doctor Who as K9 (voice)
{"id":185831,"title":"The Barretts of Wimpole Street","year":"1982","character":"Henry Barrett","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-barretts-of-wimpole-street-1982","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_185831.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_185831.jpg"},"released":1}
1982
{"id":162901,"title":"K-9 and Company: A Girl's Best Friend","year":"1981","character":"K-9 (voice)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/k-9-and-company-a-girls-best-friend-1981","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_162901.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_162901.jpg"},"released":1}
1981
{"id":8531,"title":"Sorry!","year":1981,"character":"","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/sorry","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_8531.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_8531.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":80985,"title":"Tarka the Otter","year":"1979","character":"Secretary of the Hunt","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/tarka-the-otter","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1g9f3o6fi02o.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1g9f3o6fi02o.jpg"},"released":1}
1979
Tarka the Otter
Tarka the Otter as Secretary of the Hunt
{"id":10390,"title":"Doctor Who","year":1977,"character":"K9 (voice)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/doctor-who-1975","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/1c95o1t6mauo.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/1c95o1t6mauo.jpg"},"released":1}
1977
Doctor Who
Doctor Who as K9 (voice)
{"id":103831286,"title":"Rainbow","year":1972,"character":"Bungle","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/rainbow","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_103831286.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_103831286.jpg"},"released":1}
1972
Rainbow
Rainbow as Bungle
{"id":38679,"title":"The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot","year":"2013","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-fiveish-doctors-reboot","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_38679.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_38679.jpg"},"released":1}
2013
{"id":154590,"title":"Longleat 83: The Greatest Show in the Galaxy","year":"2001","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/longleat-83-the-greatest-show-in-the-galaxy","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_154590.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_154590.jpg"},"released":1}
2001