Walter Prentis Hancock, a Scottish character actor, was born and raised in Glasgow, where he received his education. Initially, he studied architecture, but his true passion lay in the world of theatre, and he began acting with a local amateur dramatic company. Hancock's thirst for knowledge led him to further his studies at the renowned Rose Bruford Training College of Speech and Drama in London.
It was in 1969 that Hancock made his television debut, marking the beginning of a long and illustrious career in the medium. He quickly became a prolific actor, with a wide range of roles under his belt. One of his most notable early roles was as a regular cast member of the BBC drama Spy Trap, alongside the likes of Paul Daneman, Julian Glover, and Michael Gwynn. The drama followed the exploits of "The Department", a fictional British counter-espionage organisation.
Hancock's next major role was as mission controller and second-in-command Paul Morrow in the first season of Gerry Anderson's iconic science fiction series, Space: 1999. Fans of the show will remember him fondly for his portrayal of this character.
In addition to his work in Space: 1999, Hancock also made appearances in four episodes of the beloved British sci-fi series Doctor Who. His roles in the show included that of the impulsive Dalek victim Vaber in the serial Planet of the Daleks, as well as the similarly misguided (and equally ill-fated) Controller Salamar in Planet of Evil.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Hancock remained a steady presence in British episodic television, appearing in a wide range of shows. Outside of his acting career, Hancock was an avid sportsman and, at one time, even worked as a fencing instructor.
