Lawrence/Laurence 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 life Webb was born in Newport, Monmouthshire on 6 May 1924. During the Second World War, he served in the British Army as a sergeant major with the Royal Corps of Signals. He took part in the Normandy landings in 1944 and subsequently was stationed in France and Germany during the conflict. He was later sent to the far east and was discharged on 24 August 1947. He was awarded medals on 7 July 1950.

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. Doctor Who Webb played Mr Arthur Ollis in the 10th anniversary serial The Three Doctors (1972–1973). 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 +YearTitleRoleNotes1958Sid Caesar Invites YouHimself1 episodeHancock's Half Hour1st ElectricianEpisode: "Ericson the Viking"19593rd SoldierEpisode: "The Horror Serial"2nd WorkmanEpisode: "The Oak Tree"ManEpisode: "The Economy Drive"StewardEpisode: "The Cruise"2nd spectatorEpisode: "Football Pools"The Eustace DiamondsBogson2 episodes1960Hancock's Half HourMan in Off LicenceEpisode: "The Reunion Party"Bus conductorEpisode: "The Ladies' Man"2nd touristEpisode: "The Photographer"Citizen JamesUnknown3 episodes1966CooperamaUnknownEpisode: "Episode Two"King of the RiverSamEpisode: "The Great Albert Mystery"EngineerEpisode: "The End of the Voyage"MogulAttendantEpisode: "Happy Landings"1967Mickey DunneLennie CarsonEpisode: "No Flowers by Request"LennieEpisode: "Are there any more at Home like You?"1970The TroubleshootersSmithEpisode: "Operation Black Gold"Panel OperatorEpisode: "Hey, We've Got a Problem Here"1971Paul TempleBarmanEpisode: "The Specialists"DoomwatchDog OwnerEpisode: "The Inquest"BrettSenator LomanEpisode: "The Trump Card"1972Comedy PlayhousePostmanEpisode: "And Whose Side Are You On?1972–1973Doctor WhoMr OllisSerial: The Three Doctors1973WarshipCustoms OfficerEpisode: "Hot Pursuit"The GoodiesMan on sofaUncredited; episode: "The Goodies and the Beanstalk"1975The BrothersSuperintendentEpisode: "Special Licence"Softly, Softly: Task ForceTrade Market GatemanEpisode: "Female of the Species"1986The ClairvoyantCustomerEpisode: "Episode #1.1"2023Tales of the TARDISMr OllisArchive footage; episode: "The Three Doctors"

Audio +YearTitleRoleNotes2016Toby Hadoke's Who's RoundHimselfPodcast; episode: "Laurie Webb"

See also List of centenarians (actors, filmmakers and entertainers)

Notes

References

External links

Laurie Webb at the British Film Institute Laurie Webb at Theatricalia