Claim: The first episode of Doctor Who came out in 1963.

William Henry Hartnell -LRB- 8 January 1908 -- 23 April 1975 -RRB- , also known as Billy Hartnell or Bill Hartnell , was an English actor . Hartnell played the first incarnation of the Doctor in Doctor Who , from 1963 to 1966 . He was also known for his roles as Sergeant Grimshaw , the title character of the first Carry On film , Carry On Sergeant in 1958 , and Company Sergeant Major Percy Bullimore in the sitcom The Army Game from 1957 until 1958 , and again in 1960 .