Leeds has been home to many talented and successful stars of show business. Today, we delve into the life of renowned English actor Frazer Hines, best known for his role in Doctor Who. Read on to discover more about the success story of this Leeds native on leedski.com.
Childhood and Early Life
Frazer Hines was born in the suburbs of Leeds in 1944. Growing up in a family with three children, Hines was the middle child. He attended Western Board Primary School and later Norwood College. From an early age, Frazer showed an interest in the arts, attending Margery Newbury’s School of Dance. At just seven years old, he performed the song Louise at the Royal Hall, receiving local acclaim and mentions in the press.
Hines was no stranger to the world of performance; his parents were involved in amateur dramatics and regularly attended the cinema, instilling in him a love for theatre and film. His budding talent led him to study at the Corona Theatre School in London.
Career Development
Frazer Hines made his acting debut in 1955 with a role in the film John and Julie. This was followed by appearances in films such as Moby Dick, The Weapon, and X the Unknown.
In 1957, he portrayed Napoleon in a six-part television adaptation of John Buchan’s novel Huntingtower. He later shared the screen with Charlie Chaplin in A King in New York, a performance that significantly boosted his career. His growing reputation led to roles in films and series such as The Silver Sword, Emergency – Ward 10, Coronation Street, Smuggler’s Bay, I Could Go On Singing, and You Only Live Twice.
In 1966, Hines auditioned for the role of Ben Jackson in Doctor Who, but he was initially turned down. However, he later secured a role in the series, playing Jamie McCrimmon from 1966 to 1969.
Hines and his co-stars Patrick Troughton and Wendy Padbury decided to leave the show, feeling the project was taking its toll on them. After their departure, Hines toured the UK in various productions, including Doctor in the House with Vicki Michelle and Windsor Davies, The Spider’s Web, and a national tour of The Hollow alongside Kate O’Mara.
In 2011, Hines starred in the play Five Blue-Haired Ladies Sitting on a Green Park Bench with Shirley Anne Field and Anita Harris. Two years later, he appeared in the film Two Days in the Smoke. He also starred in the musical Annie and made a guest appearance in Outlander in 2015. In 2016, he toured with the play Seriously Dead.
In 2019, Hines lent his voice to the audio drama Up Pompeii! and in 2020 starred in the Christmas comedy Lost at Christmas.
Personal Life
The celebrated English actor has been married twice. His first marriage was to Irish actress Gemma Craven, lasting three years. His second wife was water-skiing champion Liz Hobbs, but this marriage also ended in divorce.
In 2010, it was revealed that Hines had been battling cancer for 11 years, a struggle he kept private due to fears of professional repercussions. After overcoming the disease, he became an advocate for cancer awareness through organisations such as Cancer Research and the Bobby Moore Cancer Foundation. Tragically, Hines’ older brother, who was also an actor, passed away from cancer at the age of 40.
Frazer Hines, a talented actor from Leeds, built a successful career and gained nationwide recognition. We hope this article has provided insight into the life of this accomplished individual.
Do you enjoy Frazer Hines’ work? Share your thoughts in the comments.