William Russell has died
- Thread starter marillion
- Start date
Saw it on twitter, lots of messages of condolenses for the great William Russell, whom I've known the earlier in my life, as I recently discovered, from Superman: The Movie (he was one of the snooty Kryptonians that, as we know, ended up dying on the planet).
RIP, to the last of the original human companions. Or maybe, the Doctor finally picked him up for one last adventure before the great beyond..
RIP, to the last of the original human companions. Or maybe, the Doctor finally picked him up for one last adventure before the great beyond..
RIP.
This is sad, but what bloody good innings! He almost made 100 and what a wonderful life and career though, and he was still working relatively recently. I'm glad he came back one last time in Doctor Who 2 years ago.
Incredible to think the man was born in 1924, four years before my own father (who passed in 2010) was born. It boggles the mind.
Incredible to think the man was born in 1924, four years before my own father (who passed in 2010) was born. It boggles the mind.
Damn, that's very sad news. 
That makes his appearance in "The Power of the Doctor" all the more touching...but also leaves me disappointed that we had so many years and opportunities to reunite him with The Doctor on screen and it never happened. I especially wanted him to meet The Eleventh Doctor.
Definitely time to watch some Ian serials and/or listen to Big Finish audio plays.
That makes his appearance in "The Power of the Doctor" all the more touching...but also leaves me disappointed that we had so many years and opportunities to reunite him with The Doctor on screen and it never happened. I especially wanted him to meet The Eleventh Doctor.
Definitely time to watch some Ian serials and/or listen to Big Finish audio plays.
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Yeah. JNT really wanted Russell in the Fifth Doctor's "Marwyn Undead" but scheduling prevented it.
I'm glad that he had a cameo in "The Power of the Doctor", I just wish the RTD and the others could have found a way to work him into a story.
Edit to add.
Too bad the first episode is locked up in a legal tangle because what more of a fitting tribute than for the BCC/Disney+ to air the episode that started it all.
I'm glad that he had a cameo in "The Power of the Doctor", I just wish the RTD and the others could have found a way to work him into a story.
Edit to add.
Too bad the first episode is locked up in a legal tangle because what more of a fitting tribute than for the BCC/Disney+ to air the episode that started it all.
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Godspeed, sir.
He's probably fighting giants in Valhalla now, because schoolteachers in the 60s were fucking HARD.
He's probably fighting giants in Valhalla now, because schoolteachers in the 60s were fucking HARD.
Same here. What a waste. I think we've commiserated over this before too!
Fun fact: he is the father of Alfie Enoch aka Dean Thomas from the Harry Potter films.
He was 64 when he had Alfie!
He was 64 when he had Alfie!
I'm pretty sure we have. The contrast in ages and personalities would've been amazing. Alas.
I don't think I knew about that familial connection!Fun fact: he is the father of Alfie Enoch aka Dean Thomas from the Harry Potter films.
He was 64 when he had Alfie!
I didn't even know he was in Superman the movie
I knew about The Great Escape, but not Superman!I didn't even know he was in Superman the movie
Damn. While anyone who makes it into their nineties can be said to have lived a long and full life, it often makes me even sadder when someone goes just shy of making it to a hundred. Would be nice to make that milestone, though one can't deny the impact William Russell has had regardless. RIP.
Alas.
Yeah, I often imagine an alternate version of Day of the Doctor where instead of meeting with the Curator, the Eleventh Doctor has a chat with Ian who is just visiting the museum. While the Doctor recognizes Ian, Ian of course has no idea who the Doctor is. When the conversation is winding down, the Doctor gets up, heads towards the TARDIS and says "see you around, Chesterfield." That gets Ian's attention, he looks in the Doctor's direction just in time to see him enter the TARDIS. We then focus on Ian's surprised face as the TARDIS noise goes and he gets a look of realization.
Alas.
His appearance in Superman is one of those things I know I've heard about before but I always forget about it until someone reminds me that's him.
RIP William Russell.I didn't even know he was in Superman the movie
I knew about the Superman cameo because I've seen the film so many times and (read the cast list at the end). I didn't realise he was in The Great Escape until I saw it not too long ago. I remember when I saw him in it and saw the actor who played Stonn (and I think a Romulan in Balance of Terror), I hoped they'd have a scene together.
Crap. I've always liked Ian. Requiescat in pace.
I've always liked Ian. Requiescat in pace.That would have been brilliant.
Re: Ian and the 11th Doctor, it happened in the comics.
https://tardis.fandom.com/wiki/Hunters_of_the_Burning_Stone_(comic_story)
https://tardis.fandom.com/wiki/Hunters_of_the_Burning_Stone_(comic_story)
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