Nicholas Courtney, the renowned actor, was born in Egypt to a British diplomat father, and his early life was marked by a nomadic existence, spending his formative years in Kenya and France. At the tender age of 18, he was called up for National Service, where he served in the British forces for 18 months before pursuing his passion for acting.
Following his stint in the military, Courtney enrolled in the prestigious Webber Douglas drama school, where he spent two years honing his craft. He then embarked on a successful career in repertory theatre in Northampton, before making the move to London.
The 1960s saw Courtney make a name for himself in popular television series, and in 1965, he made a memorable appearance on the iconic show "Doctor Who" during the tenure of William Hartnell. Director Douglas Camfield took notice of his talent and cast him as "Captain Knight" in the 1967 episode "The Web of Fear".
Courtney's big break came when he took on the iconic role of "Lethbridge-Stewart", a character that would become synonymous with his name. Initially, he was cast in the part when the original actor had to drop out, and he worked alongside Patrick Troughton, the star of the series at the time.
As his popularity grew, Courtney was offered the chance to play the role regularly and accepted, securing his position on the show until 1975. During his time on the program, he forged a lasting friendship with Jon Pertwee, and he returned to the role on several occasions in 1983, 1988, and 1989.
In addition to his work on "Doctor Who", Courtney has had a diverse television career, including a comedy stint with Frankie Howerd. He has remained closely associated with the "Doctor Who" franchise, narrating the documentary "Doctor Who: Thirty Years in the TARDIS" in 1993 and attending conventions and appearing in spin-offs.
