Laurie Webb

Lawrence Melvin Henry Webb (6 May 1924 – 29 March 2026) was a Welsh actor known for his roles in television series such as Doctor Who, Hancock's Half Hour, Paul Temple and Doomwatch.

Webb started his television career in 1958, appearing on Sid Caesar's TV series Sid Caesar Invites You.

Early career

Webb was an accomplished singer and dancer and had a very successful career in the theatre, getting his first role in 1932 at just eight years old, touring for two weeks in a farce called Lend Me Your Wife. Within 10 days of his discharge from the Army he was back on stage, starting a three-year theatre tour with The Dancing Years. The rest of his career saw Webb moving from one show to another, and in between productions taking TV roles that came up. He had sizeable stage parts with billing in London’s West End and played Grumio in Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew at Chichester. Webb joined the cast of Guys and Dolls when it started in 1953 at the Coliseum in London’s West End. Sidney James joined the show near the end of its run and they both joined the tour which opened at The Golders Green Hippodrome in November 1955. Webb and James became friends, socialising and playing golf together. They later appeared on television together in Hancock’s Half Hour and Citizen James. Webb appeared in stage musicals up to 1984. When he retired he became bored and passed The Knowledge in just 20 months to become a London black cab driver.

Webb was a regular cast member of the TV comedy series Hancock's Half Hour, and featured in numerous guest roles on television series including King of the River, The Troubleshooters, Paul Temple and science fiction series Doomwatch. He became the oldest-living person associated with the show following Arnold Yarrow's death on 9 December 2024.

On 31 May 2025, he attended a signing event in Chiswick with fellow Doctor Who actor Katy Manning and is believed to be the oldest to do so.

Personal life and death Webb, an avid golfer, celebrated his centenary by playing nine holes of golf at Pyrford Lakes Golf Club as a fundraiser for Alzheimer's Society.

Webb died on 29 March 2026, at the age of 101.

Filmography

Television

Audio