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David Graham
Actor

David Graham

11 Jul 1925Born
101Age
128Credits
Hackney, London, England, UKBirthplace

Biography

David Michael Graham (born July 11, 1925) was an English actor. He voiced the Daleks in Doctor Who, Gordon Tracy, Brains, Aloysius Parker and Kyrano in Thunderbirds, and Grandpa Pig in Peppa Pig. Born in London on 11 July 1925. His sister had married a G.I. and had moved to the United States, and his uncle had run away there, so he became an actor after leaving his Orthodox Jewish household. He trained in New York City at the Neighbourhood Playhouse School of the Theatre with Sanford Meisner, following service in the Royal Air Force as a radar mechanic.

Graham's first breakout role before returning to England was Givola in The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, alongside Leonard Rossiter.

Read the full biography

While playing characters in the TV series Private Investigator in 1958, Graham met writer and producer Gerry Anderson, who was planning his first puppet productions. Graham mentioned to him that he could pull off accents well. His second voiceover role in Four Feather Falls was Grandpa Twink, whom he based on Walter Brennan. He subsequently voiced Dr. Beaker, Zarin and Mitch the Monkey in Supercar, Mat Matic and Lieutenant Ninety in Fireball XL5 and various guest characters in Stingray. Graham also played Johnny in Crossroads to Crime, a live-action film Anderson directed.

In 1963, he became the voice of the Daleks in Doctor Who, he voiced the Daleks in all four of their major First Doctor era appearances, as well as two 1960s feature films: Dr. Who and the Daleks and Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. Graham also voiced the Mechonoids and played the onscreen role of Charlie in The Gunfighters. He returned to his role as the voice of the Daleks in 2023, when he recorded new lines for that year's official colourised recut of the 1963 serial The Daleks for the show's 60th anniversary.

In 1965, Graham became the voice of Gordon Tracy, Brains, Aloysius Parker and Kyrano in Thunderbirds, as well as its film sequels: Thunderbirds Are Go and Thunderbird 6. He did not believe Brains had a stutter, claiming that he was instead excitedly trying to find the words to explain his latest ideas. He based the voice of Parker on a waiter at the King's Arms pub in Cookham, and he and Ray Barrett shared roles as many of the guest villains. Although he was not highly paid for production, the many repeats earned him a lot more. Parker became Anderson's favourite voice.

Between 1975 and 1977, Graham was part of the Radio Drama Company. In 1979, he played Professor Kerensky in the Doctor Who story City of Death.

From 2015 to 2020, he reprised his role as Parker in Thunderbirds Are Go, a reboot of the original series.

Known for

Filmography

The 80 most recent of 128 credits.

  1. TBABen and Holly's Little Kingdom: The North PoleFilm: Wise Old Elf / Mr. Gnome (voice)
  2. TBAAlbert Einstein oder Die Formel des TodesFilm: Darsteller
  3. 2025Ben & Holly's Little KingdomSeries: Wise Old Elf (104 episodes)
  4. 2025Thunderbirds 60th Anniversary Double Bill - Trapped in the Sky / Terror in New York CityFilm: Gordon Tracy / Parker / Brains / Kyrano (voice)
  5. 2023Doctor Who: The Daleks in ColourFilm: Dalek (voice)
  6. 2022Presented in SupercolorisationSeries: Grandpa Ebenezer Twink / Hank (voice), Dr. Horatio Beaker / Mitch the Monkey / Morse Operator (voice), Dr. Horatio Beaker / Mitch the Monkey / Herman Gredenski (voice), Professor Matthew Matic / Lieutenant Ninety / Zoonie the Lazoon / Zodan / Warrior Countdown (voice), Professor Mattew 'Matt' Matic / Lieutenant Ninety / Zoonie the Lazoon / Doctor Baker (voice), Professor Matthew Matic / Lieutenant Ninety / Freighter A14 (voice) (1 episode)
  7. 2020Thunderbirds: The Anniversary EpisodesSeries: Parker / Brains / Kyrano / Gordon Tracy (voice) (3 episodes)
  8. 2017Peppa Pig: My First Cinema ExperienceFilm: Grandpa Pig (voice)
  9. 2016HD21 The Worlds of Gerry Anderson in High DefinitionFilm
  10. 2015Thunderbirds 1965: Introducing ThunderbirdsFilm: Parker / Brains (voice)
  11. 2015Thunderbirds 1965: The Abominable SnowmanFilm: Parker / Gallup Din / Threatened Explorer (voice), Writer
  12. 2015Thunderbirds 1965: The Stately Homes RobberiesFilm: Gordon Tracy / Parker / Beefeater / Newspaper Vendor (voice)
  13. 2015Thunderbirds Are Go!Series: Parker / Vic (voice) (78 episodes)
  14. 2015Reggie & Thunderbirds: No Strings AttachedFilm
  15. 2015Peppa Pig: The Golden BootsFilm: Grandpa Pig / Mr Zebra (voice)
  16. 2014This Is SupermarionationFilm: Parker / Brains (voice)
  17. 2009Peter Kay's Animated All Star Band: The Official BBC Children in Need MedleyFilm: Brains / Parker / Thunderbirds (voice)
  18. 2008The Ties That Bind UsFilm: Prof Keresnky (archive footage)
  19. 2008All About 'Thunderbirds'Film
  20. 2008Stingray: The Reunion PartyFilm: Admiral Jack Denver (voice)
  21. 2006Prescription for DisasterFilm
  22. 2004Peppa PigSeries: Grandpa Pig (voice), Mr Zebra (voice) (450 episodes)
  23. 2003The Story of Doctor WhoFilm
  24. 2001Hotel!Film: Scientist
  25. 2000WildflowersFilm: Trip
  26. 1997IvanhoeSeries: Nathan Ben Israel (1 episode)
  27. 1994Space PrecinctSeries: Dr. Long (1 episode)
  28. 1990Shoot the RevolutionFilm: Postel Nicu
  29. 1989Shadow of the NooseSeries: Mr Justice Grantham (1 episode)
  30. 1987Make and BreakFilm: Dr. Horvath
  31. 1986ScreenPlaySeries: Postel Nicu (1 episode)
  32. 1985Howards' WaySeries: Mr. Ambrose (1 episode)
  33. 1985King DavidFilm: Ephraimite Elder
  34. 1984SupergirlFilm: Party Guest
  35. 1982AliensFilm: Bruno
  36. 1982Countdown to DisasterFilm: Brains / Gordon Tracy / Aloysius Parker / Kyrano / Joe / Clayton / 2nd Site Control Policeman (voice)
  37. 1981Strike: The Birth of SolidarityFilm: Mieczylaw Jagielski
  38. 1981Thunderbirds in Outer SpaceFilm: Gordon Tracy / John Tracy / Brains / Kyrano (voice)
  39. 1981Invaders from the DeepFilm: Admiral Henry Carson / Marin / Nucella / Various Characters (voice)
  40. 1980Thunderbirds to the RescueFilm: Gordon Tracy / Brains / Parker / Kyrano / Captain Hanson (voice)
  41. 1980The Incredible Voyage of StingrayFilm: Aquaphibian 2 / Aquaphibian 3 (voice)
  42. 1979Doctor Who: City of DeathFilm: Kerensky / Hermann
  43. 1978Armchair ThrillerSeries: Vicar (1 episode)
  44. 1974CallanFilm: Wireless Operator
  45. 1973Point Counter PointSeries: Frank Illidge (5 episodes)
  46. 1972HollySeries: Prosecuting Counsel (1 episode)
  47. 1971JusticeSeries: Farber (1 episode)
  48. 1970Play for TodaySeries: Bruno (1 episode)
  49. 1970Ace of WandsSeries: Landlord (uncredited) (1 episode)
  50. 1970FreelanceFilm: General
  51. 1969Softly Softly: Task ForceSeries: Jack Davis (1 episode)
  52. 1968Thunderbird 6Film: Gordon Tracy / Brains / Aloysius Parker (voice)
  53. 1968Late Night HorrorSeries: Dr. Hamid Ali (1 episode)
  54. 1968The Brahmin WidowFilm: Inspector of Customs
  55. 1967Half Hour StorySeries: Head waiter (1 episode)
  56. 1967The ProphetFilm: Robot (voice)
  57. 1966Thunderbirds: Give or Take a MillionFilm: Gordon Tracy / Brains / Kyrano / Straker / 2nd Santa (voice)
  58. 1966Thunderbirds Are GOFilm: Gordon Tracy / Brains / Aloysius Parker (voice)
  59. 1966Thunderbirds: RicochetFilm: John Tracy / Brains / Loman / Sentinel Base Computer (voice)
  60. 1966Thunderbirds: Lord Parker's 'OlidayFilm: Parker / Brains / Party Goer (voice)
  61. 1966Thunderbirds: Alias Mr. HackenbackerFilm: Gordon Tracy / Brains / Parker / Skythrust Co-Pilot / Officer / Waiter / Fashion Buyers / Ross (voice)
  62. 1966Thunderbirds: Path of DestructionFilm: Brains / Parker / Simms / Jim Lucas / Sanchos / Manuel (voice)
  63. 1966Thunderbirds: Atlantic InfernoFilm: Gordon Tracy / Parker / Brains / Atlantic Captain (voice)
  64. 1966Daleks' Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D.Film: Daleks (voice)
  65. 1966Till Death Us Do PartSeries: Telephone Operator (voice) (1 episode)
  66. 1966Doctor Who: The GunfightersFilm: Charlie
  67. 1966Thunderbirds: Security HazardFilm: Gordon Tracy / Brains / Morrison / Bob Gray / Solarnaut Asher / Captain Hanson / Frank / Dave Clayton (voice)
  68. 1966Thunderbirds: The Cham-ChamFilm: Brains / Parker / Olsen / Captain Savidge / Hitchins (voice)
  69. 1966Thunderbirds: Martian InvasionFilm: Gordon Tracy / Brains / Kyrano / Bletcher / Maguire / Production Manager (voice)
  70. 1966Thunderbirds: Attack of the Alligators!Film: Gordon Tracy / Brains / Culp (voice)
  71. 1966Lee Oswald: AssassinFilm: Manager of Shoe Store
  72. 1966Thunderbirds: Brink of DisasterFilm: Brains / Parker / Warren Grafton / Harry Malloy (voice)
  73. 1966Thunderbirds: The Duchess AssignmentFilm: Parker / Wilbur Dandridge III / Captain Hanson / Percy / Customs Officer / Elevator (voice)
  74. 1966Thunderbirds: Move - And You're DeadFilm: Gordon Tracy / Brains / Victor Gomez (voice)
  75. 1966Thunderbirds: Danger at Ocean DeepFilm: Gordon Tracy / Parker / Brains / Kyrano / No. 2, Ocean Pioneer II / Collins (voice)
  76. 1966Thunderbirds: Cry WolfFilm: Gordon Tracy / Brains / Colonel Jameson / Sergeant (voice)
  77. 1966Thunderbirds: The Man from MI.5Film: Gordon Tracy / Parker / Brains / Carl / MI.5 Agent Tidman (voice)
  78. 1966Thunderbirds: The ImpostersFilm: Gordon Tracy / Parker / Elliott / Carela / Captain Hanson / Helijet Pilot / Search Control / Jack (voice)
  79. 1966Thunderbirds: City of FireFilm: Brains / Tower Control Assistant / Woman Driver's Husband (voice)
  80. 1965Thunderbirds: The Mighty AtomFilm: Gordon Tracy / Brains / Parker / Kyrano / Reactor Controller Collins / Plant Tour Guide (voice)

Biography and credits from TMDB. This website uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.