Douglas Norman Wilmer (8 January 1920 – 31 March 2016)[1] was an English actor, best known for playing Sherlock Holmes in the eponymous 1965 TV series.

Together with co-star Nigel Stock, who played Doctor Watson, Wilmer was brought back for a further twelve episodes of the Sherlock Holmes series.

In 1973, Wilmer played author Jacques Futrelle's Holmesian detective Professor Van Dusen in The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes for ITV.

[6] He recorded a series of the stories on audiocassette for Penguin audio books[5] and appeared as a guest at several UK and US events, including the Society's Golden Jubilee Dinner in January 2001.

[5] On 24 March 2009 Wilmer was guest of honour at a launch party for his book, held at the National Liberal Club in Whitehall Place, London.

[6][1] Roger Moore posted a tribute on social media the same day that Wilmer had died; the actors had worked together in the James Bond feature film Octopussy (1983) and on the television show The Saint (a 1963 episode).