William Russell was born William Russell Enoch on November 19, 1924, in Sunderland, County Durham, England, to Eva Compston (Pile) and Alfred James Enoch.
He developed a keen interest in acting at a very early age.
During his national service in the Royal Air Force, he was actively involved in organizing entertainments.
After completing his university education, he transitioned into repertory theatre.
He made his mark in London's West End with a notable performance in "Hamlet".
He went on to secure a number of film roles, often portraying a dashing hero.
In the realm of television, he made significant contributions with notable roles in "The Adventures of Sir Lancelot" (1956) for ITV, "Nicholas Nickleby" (1957),and "David Copperfield" in "Fredric March Presents Tales from Dickens" (1959) for the BBC.
In 1963, he landed the iconic role of Ian Chesterton in the popular television series "Doctor Who".
Throughout his illustrious career, he continued to excel in the theatre and held a senior position in the actor's union, Equity.
In recent years, he has been an esteemed member of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
His son, Alfred Enoch, is also an accomplished actor.
