Claim: Jon Pertwee portrayed a title role.

John Devon Roland Pertwee -LRB- 7 July 1919 -- 20 May 1996 -RRB- , known professionally as Jon Pertwee , was an English actor , entertainer and cabaret performer .   Pertwee is most known for starring as the Third Doctor in the science-fiction series Doctor Who between 1970 and 1974 . Pertwee also spent 18 years -LRB- 1959 -- 1977 -RRB- playing Chief petty officer Pertwee in The Navy Lark on BBC Radio . He later played the title character in the series Worzel Gummidge from 1979 to 1981 , and again from 1987 to 1989 .   As an actor , Pertwee appeared in many comedy roles and was once described as having `` rubbery features and ability to affect silly voices '' . Earlier in his career , Pertwee had worked as a vaudeville comedian , performed at the Glasgow Empire Theatre and shared a bill with Max Wall and Jimmy James . Towards the end of his life , he performed to audiences in a one-man show called Who Is Jon Pertwee ? .