History Creator / PatrickTroughton

** When BBC controller Michael Grade contacted ''Series/DoctorWho'' creator Creator/SydneyNewman asking for ideas for {{retool}}ing the show, Newman came up with a scenario where Troughton would've returned to the role of the Doctor for Season 24 before regenerating into a woman at the end of it. However, negotiations between Newman and BBC head of drama Jonathan Powell fell apart due to CreativeDifferences, and even if they didn't, Troughton's death in March of 1987 would've nixed the idea of him returning. 35 years later, the overall concept itself would be RefittedForSequel with Creator/DavidTennant returning for a short stint as a new incarnation, before being replaced by Creator/NcutiGatwa at the end of a set of specials created for the show's 60th anniversary. Ironically enough, Tennant's new incarnation is succeeding [[Creator/JodieWhittaker the first female Doctor]].

He died of a heart attack at the Magnum Opus Con II Science Fiction [[FanConvention convention]] in America, after ignoring the advice of his doctors who had told him not to go. He had two daughters, four sons, and two stepchildren across two marriages and a partnership. Many of his sons and grandsons have followed in his footsteps and become actors. His son Creator/DavidTroughton has made two significant ''Doctor Who'' appearances, as King Peladon in the Third Doctor story [[Recap/DoctorWhoS9E2TheCurseOfPeladon "The Curse of Peladon"]] and as Professor Hobbes in the Tenth Doctor episode [[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E10Midnight "Midnight"]] (in addition to minor roles elsewhere throughout the series, the [[Recap/DoctorWhoS5E4TheEnemyOfTheWorld first]] [[Recap/DoctorWhoS6E7TheWarGames two]] of which were during his father's tenure). His other son Creator/MichaelTroughton appeared in [[Recap/DoctorWho2014CSLastChristmas the 2014 Christmas special]], and as of 2022 is the new official Second Doctor for Big Finish's ''Doctor Who'' audio dramas. David's son, Creator/SamTroughton, is best known as Much in the 2006 [[Series/RobinHood BBC Robin Hood series]]. The son of Patrick's daughter Joanna[[note]][[BerserkButton Don't bring up her father if you meet Jo]] as she had cut off all contact with him following his messy divorce from her mother -- his first wife -- and they were never reconciled[[/note]], Creator/HarryMelling, is best known as Dudley Dursley in the [[Franchise/HarryPotter Harry Potter films]]. (Alice Troughton, who directed several episodes of ''Doctor Who'' during the Moffat era, is '''not''' a close relative of his.)

He died of a heart attack at the Magnum Opus Con II Science Fiction [[FanConvention convention]] in America, after ignoring the advice of his doctors who had told him not to go. He had two daughters, four sons, and two stepchildren across two marriages and a partnership. Many of his sons and grandsons have followed in his footsteps and become actors. His son Creator/DavidTroughton has made two significant ''Doctor Who'' appearances, as King Peladon in the Third Doctor story [[Recap/DoctorWhoS9E2TheCurseOfPeladon "The Curse of Peladon"]] and as Professor Hobbes in the Tenth Doctor episode [[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E10Midnight "Midnight"]] (in addition to minor roles elsewhere throughout the series, the [[Recap/DoctorWhoS5E4TheEnemyOfTheWorld first]] [[Recap/DoctorWhoS6E7TheWarGames two]] of which were during his father's tenure). His other son Creator/MichaelTroughton appeared in [[Recap/DoctorWho2014CSLastChristmas the 2014 Christmas special]], and as of 2022 is the new official Second Doctor for Big Finish's ''Doctor Who'' audio dramas. David's son, Creator/SamTroughton, is best known as Much in the 2006 [[Series/RobinHood BBC Robin Hood series]]. The son of Patrick's daughter Joanna[[note]][[BerserkButton Don't bring up her father if you meet Jo]] as she had cut off all contact with him following his messy divorce from her mother -- his first wife -- and they were never reconciled[[/note]], Creator/HarryMelling, is best known as Dudley Dursley in the [[Franchise/HarryPotter Harry Potter films]]. (Alice Troughton, who has directed several episodes of ''Doctor Who'', is '''not''' a close relative of his.)

** When BBC controller Michael Grade contacted ''Series/DoctorWho'' creator Creator/SydneyNewman asking for ideas for {{retool}}ing the show, Newman came up with a scenario where Troughton would've returned to the role of the Doctor for Season 24 before regenerating into a woman at the end of it. However, negotiations between Newman and BBC head of drama Jonathan Powell fell apart due to CreativeDifferences, and even if they didn't, Troughton's death in March of 1987 would've nixed the idea of him returning. 35 years later, the overall concept itself would be RefittedForSequel with Creator/DavidTennant returning for a short stint as a new incarnation, before being replaced by Creator/NcutiGatwa at the end of a set of specials created for the show’s 60th anniversary. Ironically enough, Tennant’s new incarnation is succeeding [[Creator/JodieWhittaker the first female Doctor]]

Patrick George Troughton (25 March 1920 – 28 March 1987) was an English actor, best known for playing the [[Characters/DoctorWhoSecondDoctor Second Doctor]] in the TV series ''Series/DoctorWho''. He was in the [[UsefulNotes/BritsWithBattleships Royal Navy]] during the [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarII Second World War]]. He was the first actor to play the folk hero ''RobinHood'' on television.

** His initial idea for the Second Doctor would've been to dress up as a mix between a pirate and a genie in {{blackface}}, mostly to disguise his visage so that people wouldn't see him on the street and say "''that's'' the man who killed ''Doctor Who!''" The idea fell through very quickly, ultimately leading to the "mop top hobo" appearance shown on-screen.

* FollowTheLeader: Creator/PeterDavison, Creator/ColinBaker, Creator/SylvesterMcCoy, Creator/DavidTennant, Creator/MattSmith and Creator/PeterCapaldi are [[LongList all]] big fans of the Second Doctor, and even Creator/TomBaker has admitted that his performance as the Fourth Doctor was partially inspired by Troughton's. Troughton also chose to reinvent the Doctor rather than portray him as Hartnell did, something which all subsequent actors who took the role of the Doctor have done as well.

Troughton left the role after three years alongside co-stars Creator/FrazerHines and Creator/WendyPadbury out of fear of being [[{{Typecasting}} typecast]] and from pressure from his wife [[note]]Hines has said that he believes, had Troughton not listened to his wife, we would still have the Second Doctor, Jamie and Zoe as the TARDIS team, even to this day[[/note]]. It would be over [[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E17E18TheEndOfTime 40]] [[Recap/DoctorWhoS31E1TheEleventhHour years]] until the entire cast changed at once again. He retained a life-long affiliation with the programme, returning to play the Doctor three more times in various special episodes ([[Recap/DoctorWhoS10E1TheThreeDoctors "The Three Doctors"]], [[Recap/DoctorWho20thASTheFiveDoctors "The Five Doctors"]] and [[Recap/DoctorWhoS22E4TheTwoDoctors "The Two Doctors"]]). By extent, he is also the actor who reprised his role for televised multi-Doctor specials most often, beating runner-up Creator/JonPertwee ("The Five Doctors" and [[Recap/DoctorWho30thASDimensionsInTime "Dimensions in Time"]] ) by one story[[note]]other returning actors only appeared once; the First Doctor's appearances in "The Five Doctors" and [[Recap/DoctorWho2017CSTwiceUponATime "Twice Upon A Time"]] were respectively [[TheOtherDarrin recast]] with Richard Hurndall and Creator/DavidBradley in the part on account of Hartnell's death in 1975, two years after his spot in "The Three Doctors"[[/note]]. Creator/MattSmith, the Eleventh Doctor, cites Troughton as an inspiration for his version of the character, and it shows, right down to the outfit. Troughton advised Creator/PeterDavison to limit his time to three seasons in order to avoid being typecast as the Doctor, and the rule has since been followed by Creator/DavidTennant, Creator/MattSmith, Creator/PeterCapaldi ''and'' Creator/JodieWhittaker[[note]]most of Davison's other successors left the role ''before'' three seasons for various reasons, mostly external circumstances; Creator/SylvesterMcCoy's tenure also lasted three seasons, but he would've gotten a fourth one to formally end his run had the show not been cancelled[[/note]]. He spoke out in favour of a female incarnation of the Doctor many decades before [[Creator/JodieWhittaker the Thirteenth Doctor]] was cast.

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/pt.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350: [[Recap/DoctorWho20thASTheFiveDoctors The little fellow.]] ]]

** When BBC controller Michael Grade contacted ''Series/DoctorWho'' creator Creator/SydneyNewman asking for ideas for {{retool}}ing the show, Newman came up with a scenario where Troughton would've returned to the role of the Doctor for Season 24 before regenerating into a woman at the end of it. However, negotiations between Newman and BBC head of drama Jonathan Powell fell apart due to CreativeDifferences, and even if they didn't, Troughton's death in March of 1987 would've nixed the idea of him returning.

** Had this dynamic with Creator/JonPertwee: While filming [[Recap/DoctorWhoS10E1TheThreeDoctors ''The Three Doctors'']] their two approaches to acting clashed (Pertwee was incredibly "by the book", Troughton enjoyed ad-libbing) and they got on each other's nerves. After that they grew to become close friends but kept bickering during public appearances as they enjoyed this effect. They were disappointed about their lack of shared screentime in [[Recap/DoctorWho20thASTheFiveDoctors the twentieth anniversary special]].

He died of a heart attack at the Magnum Opus Con II Science Fiction [[FanConvention convention]] in America, after ignoring the advice of his doctors who had told him not to go. He had two daughters, four sons, and two stepchildren across two marriages and a partnership. Many of his sons and grandsons have followed in his footsteps and become actors. His son David has made two significant ''Doctor Who'' appearances, as King Peladon in the Third Doctor story [[Recap/DoctorWhoS9E2TheCurseOfPeladon "The Curse of Peladon"]] and as Professor Hobbes in the Tenth Doctor episode [[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E10Midnight "Midnight"]] (in addition to minor roles elsewhere throughout the series, the [[Recap/DoctorWhoS5E4TheEnemyOfTheWorld first]] [[Recap/DoctorWhoS6E7TheWarGames two]] of which were during his father's tenure). His other son Michael appeared in [[Recap/DoctorWho2014CSLastChristmas the 2014 Christmas special]], and as of 2022 is the new official Second Doctor for Big Finish's ''Doctor Who'' audio dramas. David's son, Creator/SamTroughton, is best known as Much in the 2006 [[Series/RobinHood BBC Robin Hood series]]. The son of Patrick's daughter Joanna[[note]][[BerserkButton Don't bring up her father if you meet Jo]] as she had cut off all contact with him following his messy divorce from her mother -- his first wife -- and they were never reconciled[[/note]], Creator/HarryMelling, is best known as Dudley Dursley in the [[Franchise/HarryPotter Harry Potter films]]. (Alice Troughton, who has directed several episodes of ''Doctor Who'', is '''not''' a close relative of his.)

He died of a heart attack at the Magnum Opus Con II Science Fiction [[FanConvention convention]] in America, after ignoring the advice of his doctors who had told him not to go. He had two daughters, four sons, and two stepchildren across two marriages and a partnership. Many of his sons and grandsons have followed in his footsteps and become actors. His son David has made two significant ''Doctor Who'' appearances, as King Peladon in the Third Doctor story [[Recap/DoctorWhoS9E2TheCurseOfPeladon "The Curse of Peladon"]] and as Professor Hobbes in the Tenth Doctor episode [[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E10Midnight "Midnight"]] (in addition to minor roles elsewhere throughout the series, the [[Recap/DoctorWhoS5E4TheEnemyOfTheWorld first]] [[Recap/DoctorWhoS6E7TheWarGames two]] of which were during his father's tenure). His other son Michael appeared in [[Recap/DoctorWho2014CSLastChristmas the 2014 Christmas special]], and as of 2022 is the new official Second Doctor for Big Finish's ''Doctor Who'' audio dramas. David's son, Creator/SamTroughton, is best known as Much in the 2006 [[Series/RobinHood BBC Robin Hood series]]. The son of Patrick's daughter Joanna ([[BerserkButton Don't bring up her father if you meet Jo]] as she had cut off all contact with him following his messy divorce from her mother - his first wife - and they were never reconciled), Creator/HarryMelling, is best known as Dudley Dursley in the [[Franchise/HarryPotter Harry Potter films]]. (Alice Troughton, who has directed several episodes of ''Doctor Who'', is '''not''' a close relative of his.)

* ThrowItIn: Troughton loved to improvise and improve the script on the fly. This ended up leading to a number of clashes with Creator/JonPertwee, who preferred to stick to his scripts, during the making of [[Recap/DoctorWhoS10E1 "The Three Doctors"]], to the point where Creator/TerranceDicks intentionally limited the pair's shared screentime in [[Recap/DoctorWho20thASTheFiveDoctors "The Five Doctors"]] to mitigate the possibility of this happening again.

He died of a heart attack at the Magnum Opus Con II Science Fiction [[FanConvention convention]] in America, after ignoring the advice of his doctors who had told him not to go. He had two daughters, four sons, and two stepchildren across two marriages and a partnership. Many of his sons and grandsons have followed in his footsteps and become actors. His son David has made two significant ''Doctor Who'' appearances, as King Peladon in the Third Doctor story [[Recap/DoctorWhoS9E2TheCurseOfPeladon "The Curse of Peladon"]] and as Professor Hobbes in the Tenth Doctor episode [[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E10Midnight "Midnight"]] (in addition to minor roles elsewhere throughout the series, the [[Recap/DoctorWhoS5E4TheEnemyOfTheWorld first]] [[Recap/DoctorWhoS6E7TheWarGames two]] of which were during his father's tenure). His other son Michael appeared in [[Recap/DoctorWho2014CSLastChristmas the 2014 Christmas special]], and as of 2022 is the new official Second Doctor for Big Finish's ''Doctor Who'' audio dramas. David's son, Creator/SamTroughton, is best known as Much in the 2006 [[Series/RobinHood BBC Robin Hood series]]. The son of Patrick's daughter Joanna ([[BerserkButton Don't bring up her father if you meet Jo]] as she had cut off all contact with him following his divorce from his first wife and they were never reconciled), Creator/HarryMelling, is best known as Dudley Dursley in the [[Franchise/HarryPotter Harry Potter films]]. (Alice Troughton, who has directed several episodes of ''Doctor Who'', is '''not''' a close relative of his.)

Troughton left the role after three years alongside co-stars Creator/FrazerHines and Creator/WendyPadbury out of fear of being [[{{Typecasting}} typecast]] and from pressure from his wife [[note]]Hines has said that he believes, had Troughton not listened to his wife, we would still have the Second Doctor, Jamie and Zoe as the TARDIS team, even to this day[[/note]]. It would be over [[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E17E18TheEndOfTime 40]] [[Recap/DoctorWhoS31E1TheEleventhHour years]] until the entire cast changed at once again. He retained a life-long affiliation with the programme, returning to play the Doctor three more times in various special episodes ([[Recap/DoctorWhoS10E1TheThreeDoctors "The Three Doctors"]], [[Recap/DoctorWho20thASTheFiveDoctors "The Five Doctors"]] and [[Recap/DoctorWhoS22E4TheTwoDoctors "The Two Doctors"]]). By extent, he is also the actor who reprised his role for televised multi-Doctor specials most often, beating runner-up Creator/JonPertwee ("The Five Doctors" and [[Recap/DoctorWho30thASDimensionsInTime "Dimensions in Time"]] ) by one story[[note]]other returning actors only appeared once; the First Doctor's appearances in "The Five Doctors" and [[Recap/DoctorWho2017CSTwiceUponATime "Twice Upon A Time"]] were respectively [[TheOtherDarrin recast]] with Richard Hurndall and Creator/DavidBradley in the part on account of Hartnell's death in 1975, two years after his spot in "The Three Doctors"[[/note]]. Creator/MattSmith, the Eleventh Doctor, cites Troughton as an inspiration for his version of the character, and it shows. Troughton advised Creator/PeterDavison to limit his time to three seasons in order to avoid being typecast as the Doctor, and the rule has since been followed by Creator/DavidTennant, Creator/MattSmith, Creator/PeterCapaldi ''and'' Creator/JodieWhittaker (Davison's other successors left the role ''before'' three seasons for various reasons, mostly external circumstances). He spoke out in favour of a female incarnation of the Doctor many decades before [[Creator/JodieWhittaker the Thirteenth Doctor]] was cast.

He died of a heart attack at the Magnum Opus Con II Science Fiction [[FanConvention convention]] in America, after ignoring the advice of his doctors who had told him not to go. He had two daughters and four sons. Many of his sons and grandsons have followed in his footsteps and become actors. His son David has made two significant ''Doctor Who'' appearances, as King Peladon in the Third Doctor story [[Recap/DoctorWhoS9E2TheCurseOfPeladon "The Curse of Peladon"]] and as Professor Hobbes in the Tenth Doctor episode [[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E10Midnight "Midnight"]] (in addition to minor roles elsewhere throughout the series, the [[Recap/DoctorWhoS5E4TheEnemyOfTheWorld first]] [[Recap/DoctorWhoS6E7TheWarGames two]] of which were during his father's tenure). His other son Michael appeared in [[Recap/DoctorWho2014CSLastChristmas the 2014 Christmas special]], and as of 2022 is the new official Second Doctor for Big Finish's ''Doctor Who'' audio dramas. David's son, Creator/SamTroughton, is best known as Much in the 2006 [[Series/RobinHood BBC Robin Hood series]]. The son of Patrick's daughter Joanna ([[BerserkButton Don't bring up her father if you meet Jo]] as she had cut off all contact with him years before his death and they were never reconciled), Creator/HarryMelling, is best known as Dudley Dursley in the [[Franchise/HarryPotter Harry Potter films]]. (Alice Troughton, who has directed several episodes of ''Doctor Who'', is '''not''' a close relative of his.)

* ThrowItIn: Troughton loved to improvise and improve the script on the fly.

* VitriolicBestBuds: Had this dynamic with Creator/JonPertwee: While filming [[Recap/DoctorWhoS10E1TheThreeDoctors ''The Three Doctors'']] their two approaches to acting clashed (Pertwee was incredibly "by the book", Troughton enjoyed ad-libbing) and they got on each other's nerves. After that they grew to become close friends but kept bickering during public appearances as they enjoyed this effect. They were disappointed about their lack of shared screentime in [[Recap/DoctorWho20thASTheFiveDoctors the twentieth anniversary special]].

* WhatCouldHaveBeen

He died of a heart attack at the Magnum Opus Con II Science Fiction [[FanConvention convention]] in America, after ignoring the advice of his doctors who had told him not to go. He had two daughters and four sons. Many of his sons and grandsons have followed in his footsteps and become actors. His son David has made two significant ''Doctor Who'' appearances, as King Peladon in the Third Doctor story [[Recap/DoctorWhoS9E2TheCurseOfPeladon "The Curse of Peladon"]] and as Professor Hobbes in the Tenth Doctor episode [[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E10Midnight "Midnight"]] (in addition to minor roles elsewhere throughout the series, the [[Recap/DoctorWhoS5E4TheEnemyOfTheWorld first]] [[Recap/DoctorWhoS6E7TheWarGames two]] of which were during his father's tenure), whilst his other son Michael appeared in [[Recap/DoctorWho2014CSLastChristmas the 2014 Christmas special]]. David's son, Creator/SamTroughton, is best known as Much in the 2006 [[Series/RobinHood BBC Robin Hood series]]. The son of Patrick's daughter Joanna ([[BerserkButton Don't bring up her father if you meet Jo]] as she had cut off all contact with him years before his death and they were never reconciled), Creator/HarryMelling, is best known as Dudley Dursley in the [[Franchise/HarryPotter Harry Potter films]]. (Alice Troughton, who has directed several episodes of ''Doctor Who'', is '''not''' a close relative of his.)

Troughton left the role after three years alongside co-stars Creator/FrazerHines and Creator/WendyPadbury out of fear of being [[{{Typecasting}} typecast]] and from pressure from his wife [[note]]Hines has said that he believes, had Troughton not listened to his wife, we would still have the Second Doctor, Jamie and Zoe as the TARDIS team, even to this day[[/note]]. It would be over [[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E17E18TheEndOfTime 40]] [[Recap/DoctorWhoS31E1TheEleventhHour years]] until the entire cast changed at once again. He retained a life-long affiliation with the programme, returning to play the Doctor three more times in various special episodes. He is also the actor who reprised his role for televised multi-Doctor specials most often ([[Recap/DoctorWhoS10E1TheThreeDoctors "The Three Doctors"]], [[Recap/DoctorWho20thASTheFiveDoctors "The Five Doctors"]] and [[Recap/DoctorWhoS22E4TheTwoDoctors "The Two Doctors"]]), beating runner-up Creator/JonPertwee ("The Five Doctors" and [[Recap/DoctorWho30thASDimensionsInTime "Dimensions in Time"]] ) by one story[[note]]other returning actors only appeared once; the First Doctor's appearances in "The Five Doctors" and [[Recap/DoctorWho2017CSTwiceUponATime "Twice Upon A Time"]] were respectively [[TheOtherDarrin recast]] with Richard Hurndall and Creator/DavidBradley in the part on account of Hartnell's death in 1975, two years after his spot in "The Three Doctors"[[/note]]. Creator/MattSmith, the Eleventh Doctor, cites Troughton as an inspiration for his version of the character, and it shows. Troughton advised Creator/PeterDavison to limit his time to three seasons in order to avoid being typecast as the Doctor, and the rule has since been followed by Creator/DavidTennant, Creator/MattSmith, Creator/PeterCapaldi ''and'' Creator/JodieWhittaker (Davison's other successors left the role ''before'' three seasons for various reasons, mostly external circumstances). He spoke out in favour of a female incarnation of the Doctor many decades before [[Creator/JodieWhittaker the Thirteenth Doctor]] was cast.

Troughton left the role after three years alongside co-stars Creator/FrazerHines and Creator/WendyPadbury out of fear of being [[{{Typecasting}} typecast]] and from pressure from his wife [[note]]Hines has said that he believes, had Troughton not listened to his wife, we would still have the Second Doctor, Jamie and Zoe as the TARDIS team, even to this day[[/note]]. It would be over [[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E17E18TheEndOfTime 40]] [[Recap/DoctorWhoS31E1TheEleventhHour years]] until the entire cast changed at once again. He retained a life-long affiliation with the programme, returning to play the Doctor three more times in various special episodes. He is also the actor who reprised his role for televised multi-Doctor specials most often ([[Recap/DoctorWhoS10E1TheThreeDoctors "The Three Doctors"]], [[Recap/DoctorWho20thASTheFiveDoctors "The Five Doctors"]] and [[Recap/DoctorWhoS22E4TheTwoDoctors "The Two Doctors"]]), beating fellow actors from that period Creator/JonPertwee ([[Recap/DoctorWho30thASDimensionsInTime "Dimensions in Time"]] and "The Five Doctors") and William Hartnell ("The Three Doctors"; the First Doctor's appearances in "The Five Doctors" and [[Recap/DoctorWho2017CSTwiceUponATime "Twice Upon A Time"]] were respectively [[TheOtherDarrin recast]] with Richard Hurndall and Creator/DavidBradley in the part on account of Hartnell's death in 1975). Creator/MattSmith, the Eleventh Doctor, cites Troughton as an inspiration for his version of the character, and it shows. Troughton advised Creator/PeterDavison to limit his time to three seasons in order to avoid being typecast as the Doctor, and the rule has since been followed by Creator/DavidTennant, Creator/MattSmith, Creator/PeterCapaldi ''and'' Creator/JodieWhittaker (Davison's other successors left the role ''before'' three seasons for various reasons, mostly external circumstances). He spoke out in favour of a female incarnation of the Doctor many decades before [[Creator/JodieWhittaker the Thirteenth Doctor]] was cast.

He died of a heart attack at the Magnum Opus Con II Science Fiction [[FanConvention convention]] in America, after ignoring the advice of his doctors who had told him not to go. He had two daughters and four sons. Many of his sons and grandsons have followed in his footsteps and become actors. His son David has made two significant ''Doctor Who'' appearances, as King Peladon in the Third Doctor story [[Recap/DoctorWhoS9E2TheCurseOfPeladon "The Curse of Peladon"]] and as Professor Hobbes in the Tenth Doctor episode [[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E10Midnight "Midnight"]] (in addition to minor roles elsewhere throughout the series, the [[Recap/DoctorWhoS5E4TheEnemyOfTheWorld first]] [[Recap/DoctorWhoS6E7TheWarGames two]] of which were during his father's tenure), whilst his other son Michael appeared in [[Recap/DoctorWho2014CSLastChristmas the 2014 Christmas special]]. David's son, Creator/SamTroughton, is best known as Much in the 2006 [[Series/RobinHood BBC Robin Hood series]]. The son of Patrick's daughter Joanna ([[BeserkButton Don't bring up her father if you meet Jo]] as she had cut off all contact with him years before his death and they were never reconciled), Creator/HarryMelling, is best known as Dudley Dursley in the [[Franchise/HarryPotter Harry Potter films]]. (Alice Troughton, who has directed several episodes of ''Doctor Who'', is '''not''' a close relative of his.)

He died of a heart attack at the Magnum Opus Con II Science Fiction [[FanConvention convention]] in America, after ignoring the advice of his doctors who had told him not to go. He had two daughters and four sons. Many of his sons and grandsons have followed in his footsteps and become actors. His son David has made two significant ''Doctor Who'' appearances, as King Peladon in the Third Doctor story [[Recap/DoctorWhoS9E2TheCurseOfPeladon "The Curse of Peladon"]] and as Professor Hobbes in the Tenth Doctor episode [[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E10Midnight "Midnight"]] (in addition to minor roles elsewhere throughout the series, the [[Recap/DoctorWhoS5E4TheEnemyOfTheWorld first]] [[Recap/DoctorWhoS6E7TheWarGames two]] of which were during his father's tenure), whilst his other son Michael appeared in [[Recap/DoctorWho2014CSLastChristmas the 2014 Christmas special]]. David's son, Creator/SamTroughton, is best known as Much in the 2006 [[Series/RobinHood BBC Robin Hood series]]. Another grandson, Creator/HarryMelling, is best known as Dudley Dursley in the [[Franchise/HarryPotter Harry Potter films]]. (Alice Troughton, who has directed several episodes of ''Doctor Who'', is '''not''' a close relative of his.)

** When BBC controller Michael Grade contacted ''Series/DoctorWho'' creator Creator/SydneyNewman asking for ideas for {{retool}}ing the show, Newman came up with a scenario where the Troughton would've returned to the role of the Doctor for Season 24 before regenerating into a woman at the end of it. However, negotiations between Newman and BBC head of drama Jonathan Powell fell apart due to CreativeDifferences, and even if they didn't, Troughton's death in March of 1987 would've nixed the idea of him returning.

Troughton left the role after three years alongside co-stars Creator/FrazerHines and Creator/WendyPadbury out of fear of being [[{{Typecasting}} typecast]] and from pressure from his wife [[note]]Hines has said that he believes, had Troughton not listened to his wife, we would still have the Second Doctor, Jamie and Zoe as the TARDIS team, even to this day[[/note]]. It would be over [[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E17E18TheEndOfTime 40]] [[Recap/DoctorWhoS31E1TheEleventhHour years]] until the entire cast changed at once again. He retained a life-long affiliation with the programme, returning to play the Doctor three more times in various special episodes (more than any other actor in the part). Creator/MattSmith, the Eleventh Doctor, cites Troughton as an inspiration for his version of the character, and it shows. He is also the actor who reprised his role for televised multi-Doctor specials most often ([[Recap/DoctorWhoS10E1TheThreeDoctors "The Three Doctors"]], [[Recap/DoctorWho20thASTheFiveDoctors "The Five Doctors"]] and [[Recap/DoctorWhoS22E4TheTwoDoctors "The Two Doctors"]]), beating fellow actors from that period Creator/JonPertwee ([[Recap/DoctorWho30thASDimensionsInTime "Dimensions in Time"]] and "The Five Doctors") and William Hartnell ("The Three Doctors" and TheOtherDarrin in "The Five Doctors" [[Creator/DavidBradley and ]][[Recap/DoctorWho2017CSTwiceUponATime "Twice Upon A Time"]]). Troughton advised Creator/PeterDavison to limit his time to three seasons in order to avoid being typecast as the Doctor, and the rule has since been followed by Creator/DavidTennant, Creator/MattSmith, Creator/PeterCapaldi ''and'' Creator/JodieWhittaker (Davison's other successors left the role ''before'' three seasons for various reasons, mostly external circumstances). He spoke out in favour of a female incarnation of the Doctor many decades before [[Creator/JodieWhittaker the Thirteenth Doctor]] was cast.