Sir David Jason has revealed that early in his career, before he became a professional actor, he had trained as an electrician and was forced to return to that day job when acting work was scarce. The 86-year-old made the admission during a recent talk in London, where he spoke to a live audience and BBC host Mike Bushell.
Early Career and Stage Work
Jason made his television debut in the ITV soap opera Crossroads in 1964, and 17 years later landed one of his most iconic roles as Derek "Del Boy" Trotter in the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses. Prior to his successful on-screen career, the actor first took to the stage and recalled working alongside Wendy Padbury in the Wizard of Oz, where he played the scarecrow.
Despite securing an acting gig, he revealed it was not long before he had to return to his day job as an electrician. "I had to go back to earn a living," the legendary actor and comedian said at An Evening with Sir David Jason. "Before I managed to get my first job as a professional actor, I had trained to become an electrician."
Return to Day Job
The on-screen star said despite getting work in the West End, he had to return to his day job. He previously worked as an electrician and joined the Bromley Repertory Company around age 25. David added: "The point of the story was that I was able to go back to doing that job when I hadn't got any work as an actor."
Jason is one of Britain's most celebrated and versatile actors, famous for a career spanning more than six decades since 1963. His first TV role was in Crossroads in 1964, and three years later he moved into comedy with the sketch show Do Not Adjust Your Set.
Career Highlights
Impressing Ronnie Barker, he was cast in Hark at Barker in 1969. Then, in 1973, the two starred in a pilot for Open All Hours, which spawned a series in 1976. The following year, Jason headlined his own sitcom, A Sharp Intake of Breath, which ran until 1981, at which point he took on his defining role as Del Trotter in Only Fools and Horses.
Through the 1980s and 1990s, he enjoyed a string of parts in popular shows, including The Darling Buds of May and A Touch of Frost.
