About David Jason
Sir David John White (born 2 February 1940), known professionally as David Jason, is an English actor. He has played Derek "Del Boy" Trotter in the sitcom Only Fools and Horses, Detective Inspector Jack Frost in the drama series A Touch of Frost, Granville in the sitcoms Open All Hours and Still Open All Hours, and Pop Larkin in the comedy drama series The Darling Buds of May, as well as voicing several cartoon characters, including the title characters of Danger Mouse and Count Duckula, Mr. Toad in The Wind in the Willows, and the BFG in the 1989 film of the same name. In September 2006, Jason topped the poll to find TV's 50 Greatest Stars, as part of ITV's 50th anniversary celebrations. He was knighted in 2005 for services to acting and comedy. Jason has won four British Academy Television Awards (BAFTAs), (1988, 1991, 1997, 2003), four British Comedy Awards (1990, 1992, 1997, 2001) and seven National Television Awards (1996 twice, 1997, 2001 twice, 2002 and 2011). Upon leaving school, Jason wanted to be an actor, influenced by his elder brother (Arthur White), but their father advised that he first learn a trade. Jason played idealistic employee Granville in the first programme of the comedy anthology Seven of One (1973), called Open All Hours (BBC) and starring Barker as the curmudgeonly proprietor of a corner shop. In 1981, Jason was cast as Del Boy Trotter in the BBC situation comedy Only Fools and Horses, created by John Sullivan.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.