Olaf Pooley Biography

Fast Facts

• Trained at the Architectural Association in London and studied painting at the Chelsea School of Art
• Got his first job in the industry as a designer at Pinewood Film Studios before joining the BBC Radio Drama Repertory Company
• Quote: "I got the giggles when I realized I was going to turn 100․ I just couldn't believe it; it seemed so weird and almost if someone else was experiencing it for me ․․․ I just felt it couldn't really be me - could it?"
• Best known for playing Professor Stahlman in "Doctor Who" and Reid in "The Corpse․"
• In addition to acting, he was also a writer who worked on "Falcon's Gold" and "Lifeforce," as well as the screenplay for 1980's "The Godsend," which was directed by his future wife Gabrielle Beaumont
• At the time of his death, he was the oldest living actor to have appeared in "Doctor Who," and held the same distinction in the "Star Trek" franchise
• Joined the small group of actors who have appeared in both "Doctor Who" and "Star Trek" when he played the Cleric in the 2000 "Star Trek: Voyager" episode "Blink of an Eye․"
• Was a painter who held exhibitions throughout his career, including a special event at the Santa Monica Art Studios in celebration of his 100th birthday