David Graham 1925-2024

The actor David Graham was born in London in 1925. He knew he wanted to act from a very early age but his aspirations were put on hold when he was posted as a radar mechanic during WW2. 

Similarly dissatisfied with a post-war career as an office clerk, he moved to the US to live with his sister and her American GI husband in New York City, where he attended theatre school. 

After returning home, he worked in repertory theatre and was a member of Lawrence Olivier’s company at the National Theatre before getting work in television. 

Many will know him best for his iconic roles as Parker, Brains and Gordon Tracy in Thunderbirds, along with numerous other contributions to Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s productions, going right back to Dr Beaker in Supercar.

His long career also included providing the voice for Wise Old Elf and Mr Gnome for Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom, shown in the UK on Channel 5. He also had brief appearances in ITV’s Coronation Street, The Bill and London’s Burning and BBC dramas Doctors and Casualty.

For Doctor Who fans, of course, he was one of the two, original voices of the Daleks, alongside the late Peter Hawkins. He also appeared on screen in many roles throughout his career, warmly remembered as Professor Kerensky in the acclaimed Doctor Who story City of Death.

Big Finish creative director and executive producer Nicholas Briggs interviewed David for Doctor Who Magazine and worked with him on the 2015 Seventh Doctor story, The Defectors. 

Nick said: "David was a lovely chap. It was great fun chatting with him about Dalek voices and a pleasure to direct him. His voice is indelibly imprinted on my memory, mostly for Lady Penelope’s redoubtable butler, Parker, but also for his unmistakeable Dalek voices. His work made a huge impact. He will be much missed."

Jamie Anderson, who directed David for Big Finish's audio adaptations of Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons and Terrahawks, added: "Just a few weeks ago, I was with 2,000 Anderson fans at a Gerry Anderson concert in Birmingham where we sang him happy birthday – such a joyous occasion. And now, just a few weeks later, he’s left us. David was always kind and generous with his time and his talent. And what a talent."

"From the Daleks to Grandpa Pig and numerous voices for Anderson shows including Brains, Gordon Tracy and the iconic Parker. He will be sorely missed."

● David Michael Graham, actor, born 11 July 1925; died 20 September 2024