Derek Martin

Known for ActingBorn 1933-04-11Died 2026-01-10Bow, London, England, UK

Derek Martin was one of the most authentic working class voices in British film and television since the 1970s. Born Derek William Rapp in 1933, Martin was in the RAF for his National Service and took up a series of jobs including road worker, Smithfield Meat Market porter, and professional gambler, before entering showbusiness as an extra and stunt performer in a variety of programmes including Doctor Who. He retired from stunt work following an injury on Elizabeth I in 1971 and moved into acting. His most famous break out role was as the corrupt detective Fred Pyle in GF Newman's controversial 1978 drama Law & Order. In the following decade Martin had major roles in TV dramas such as The Chinese Detective and King & Castle, and played James Cagney's aide in milos Forman's epic 1981 film Ragtime. In 2000, Martin joined the cast of EastEnders as Charlie, the patriarch of the Slater family, a role he continued to play on and off for sixteen years.Read more

Movies & web series

Doctor Who: Inferno

Ready, Steady, Cook

The Sweeney

The Duchess of Duke Street

The Counterfeit Man

Survivors

Doctor Who

The Zoo Gang

Upstairs, Downstairs

The Professionals

Elizabeth R

Shoestring

Softly, Softly

Law & Order

Celebrity Coach Trip

Big Deal

The Gentle Touch

EastEnders: Pat and Mo

Little Britain

The Chinese Detective

Paul Temple

Z-Cars

Minder

Theatre 625

The Aerodrome

Ragtime

The Detectives

Doctor Who: Image of the Fendahl

Target

Playhouse

Maigret

Hart to Hart

Candleshoe

Dempsey and Makepeace

Play for Today

Terry and June

Boston Kickout

Spaghetti House

Celebrity Mastermind

New Scotland Yard

The Evil of Frankenstein

The Enigma Files

GMTV

Dixon of Dock Green

Eldorado

Private Schulz

The Sex Thief

Priest of Love