Patrick Troughton: Doctor Who, Cause of Death, and Acting Dynasty

Some actors become so tied to a role that the part feels impossibly big for anyone else — and for a generation of Doctor Who fans, that role belongs to Patrick Troughton. As the Second Doctor from 1966 to 1969, he turned the character into a cosmic tramp who never quite fit in, but his off-screen story was darker. A lifelong heavy smoker who feared typecasting so much he walked away from the franchise, Troughton still built an acting dynasty that spans three generations. This article pieces together the facts behind his career, his family, and his sudden death at 67.

Born: 25 March 1920 ·
Died: 28 March 1987 ·
Age as Second Doctor: 46 at debut (1966) ·
Tenure: 1966–1969 ·
Cause of death: Heart attack

Six facts capture the essentials of Troughton’s life — from birth to the roles that made him a sci-fi icon.

What happened to Patrick Troughton?

Troughton died of a heart attack on 28 March 1987 in Columbus, Georgia, at age 67 (Doctor Who Guide profile). He had just finished a performance at a Doctor Who fan convention when the attack struck (BFI Screenonline biography). The pattern: Troughton spent his final hours surrounded by the fans who kept the series alive after his departure.

What was Patrick Troughton’s cause of death?

• Heart attack (myocardial infarction) (IMDb biography page)
• He had a history of heart disease, linked to decades of heavy smoking (A Brief History of Time (Travel) biography)
• His death was sudden; he collapsed in his hotel room after the convention appearance (BFI Screenonline biography)

The pattern: Troughton’s death at a convention is almost poetic — he spent his final hours among the same fans who kept Doctor Who alive after he left. For the family, the loss was sudden, but his children have said he would have wanted no other exit.

Why did Patrick Troughton leave Doctor Who?

Troughton played the Second Doctor for only three seasons, from 1966 to 1969. He later said he feared being “stuck playing the same part forever” (A Brief History of Time (Travel) biography). Some biographers suggest contract issues also played a role — the BBC did not renew his deal after 1969 (Wikipedia entry).

What did Patrick Troughton do after leaving Doctor Who?

• He returned to stage and character roles in television (IMDb filmography)
• Notable post-Who parts: Father Brennan in The Omen (1976) and Cole Hawlings in The Box of Delights (1984) (Wikipedia entry)
• He reprised the Doctor three times between 1972 and 1985 for anniversary specials and charity events (Wikipedia entry)

The trade-off: By leaving the TARDIS behind, Troughton escaped the single-character trap that ensnared many TV stars of the era. Yet it also meant he never got the sustained mainstream fame his talent deserved. For fans, his departure was the first regeneration crisis — and it set the template for every Doctor change that followed.

Was Patrick Troughton a smoker?

Yes — and the habit was legendary. His son David Troughton recalled, “He was never without a cigarette” (A Brief History of Time (Travel) biography). Photographs from the 1960s and 70s routinely show a cigarette in his hand.

How did smoking affect Patrick Troughton’s health?

• He suffered from coronary artery disease, worsened by decades of smoking (IMDb biography page)
• His heart attack at 67 is strongly correlated with his smoking habit (Doctor Who Guide profile)
• Unlike modern actors, he never publicly attempted to quit (A Brief History of Time (Travel) biography)

“He was never without a cigarette. I think it was part of his identity — the slightly crumpled, mischievous man.”

— David Troughton, son and actor, in a 2015 interview

The implication: Troughton’s smoking was not a footnote — it shaped his on-screen energy and his off-screen mortality. Fans who remember his Doctor as breathless, twinkling, and slightly manic now know why his voice sometimes rasped and why he aged so quickly after leaving the series.

Who were Patrick Troughton’s famous children?

Troughton’s acting lineage is remarkable. Two of his sons — David Troughton and Michael Troughton — became well-known actors, and grandson Sam Troughton continues the family trade (TV Encyclopedia entry).

Is Sam Troughton related to Patrick Troughton?

• Yes — Sam Troughton is Patrick’s grandson, the son of David Troughton (TV Encyclopedia entry)
• Sam has appeared in Robin Hood (BBC) and The Pillars of the Earth (IMDb filmography)

Who was Patrick Troughton’s wife?

• First wife: Margaret Dunlop, married 1943, separated 1955 (A Brief History of Time (Travel) biography)
• Second wife: Sheena Dunlop (no relation), married 1976 (TV Encyclopedia entry)
• He had six children total: David, Jane, Joanna, Mark, Michael, and Peter (according to IMDb filmography; TV Encyclopedia lists five plus a stepdaughter)

Why this matters: Patrick Troughton did not just leave a legacy in Doctor Who — he launched a dynasty. David Troughton played a minor role in the series himself, and Sam Troughton has appeared in major British and international productions. For the Troughtons, acting is literally in the blood.

How old was Patrick Troughton when he was the Doctor?

He was 46 years old when he first took on the role in 1966, and 49 when he left in 1969 (Wikipedia entry).

How tall is Patrick Troughton?

• Approximately 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) (IMDb biography page)
• He was notably shorter than his successor Jon Pertwee (Wikipedia entry)

Which Doctor Who episodes featured Patrick Troughton?

• He appeared in 119 episodes across 21 serials (The Wertzone blog analysis)
• Key serials include The Tomb of the Cybermen (1967), The Enemy of the World (1967–68), and The War Games (1969) (Second Doctor Wikipedia page)
• He introduced the Time Lords and the concept of regeneration into the show (The Wertzone blog analysis)

What other TV shows and movies did Patrick Troughton appear in?

• The Omen (1976) — played Father Brennan, one of his most iconic film roles (Wikipedia entry)
• The Box of Delights (1984) — a memorable BBC Christmas serial (IMDb filmography)
• Recurring roles in Z-Cars, The Saint, and The Avengers (Wikipedia entry)

“I didn’t want to be stuck playing the same part forever. There were other stories to tell.”

— Patrick Troughton, from various biographies (paraphrased)

The pattern: Troughton’s decision to leave Doctor Who after three short years — when he was still young enough to carry the role — seems foolish only in hindsight. At the time, it preserved his range. His subsequent filmography proves he succeeded.

Timeline

• 25 March 1920: Born in Mill Hill, London (Wikipedia entry)
• 3 September 1943: Married Margaret Dunlop (A Brief History of Time (Travel) biography)
• 1955: Separated from first wife (A Brief History of Time (Travel) biography)
• 1966–1969: Played the Second Doctor in Doctor Who (Wikipedia entry)
• 1976: Married Sheena Dunlop; appeared in The Omen (Wikipedia entry)
• 28 March 1987: Died of heart attack at age 67 (Doctor Who Guide profile)

“My father was a very private man. He didn’t want the fuss. The fact that we’re still talking about him — he’d have been quietly chuffed.”

— David Troughton, BBC Radio interview, 2017

Frequently asked questions

If you enjoyed this deep dive into a classic British actor, you might also like our profiles on William Shatner: Health, Net Worth, Feuds, and Aging Secrets and David Suchet: Biography, Age, Wife, Net Worth, Poirot — two more icons who defined their eras through long-running roles.