Barry Letts retired from acting in the 1960s to become a television director and was recommended for a directors training course by the then Head of BBC Drama, Sydney Newman.
Brother of actress Pauline Letts.
Father of Dominic Letts and Crispin Letts.
He agreed to produce "Doctor Who" (1963) on the understanding that he would also be allowed to direct some of the stories. He ended up directing three of the 24 stories he produced, as well as directing the remaining scenes of another, "Inferno", after director Douglas Camfield became ill.
Regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of the television series "Doctor Who" (1963). As producer of the series for five years, among many other achievements he co-created (with Terrance Dicks) the character of the Master (originally played by Roger Delgado), he co-created (again with Dicks) Sarah Jane Smith (casting Elisabeth Sladen in the part) and he cast Tom Baker as the Doctor (often voted the most popular Doctor and companion in the series). Following his death, tributes were paid by Tom Baker and "Doctor Who" (2005) executive producer Russell T. Davies. One obituary written of him described him as the godfather of the series.
Served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War.
Taught directing for the BBC at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire.
Was hugely influenced by a chance encounter (during his lunchbreak from directing "The Newcomers" (1965) in Birmingham's Gosta Green) with Alan Watts' 1961 book "Psychotherapy East and West" about Zen Buddhism, a belief he went on to follow throughout his life from his 40s onwards (and elements of which he brought to the Third Doctor).