Prentis Hancock 1942-2025

The actor Prentis Hancock has died at the age of 83.

Prentis Hancock appeared in four roles in Doctor Who.

In 1970, he had a small role in the Third Doctor's debut story Spearhead from Space, where he played a journalist sent to cover the meteorite shower which accompanied the third Doctor's arrival. 

He had a much larger role when he played Vaber in the 1973 story Planet of the Daleks. Vaber was the hothead member of the Thal task force sent to Spiridon to defeat the Daleks.

His third appearance was in the Fourth Doctor story Planet of Evil where he played Salamar, the captain of the Morestran probe ship sent to Zeta Minor to make contact with Professor Sorenson's expedition.

His final appearance came in 1978 in The Ribos Operation where he played the Shrieve captain guarding the crown jewels of Ribos.

Hancock's best-known role was in the first season of science fiction series Space: 1999 where he played Paul Morrow. Other appearances included roles in Dr. Finlay's Casebook (1962)Dr. Finlay's Casebook, Dixon of Dock Green, Z-Cars, Colditz, The New Avengers, Danger UXB, Minder, Secret Army, The Professionals, The Bill, Bergerac and Bodyguards

Prentis Hancock was born in 1942. He died peacefully in hospital surrounded by his sister, neice and daughter on Friday 30th May