roger caesar marius bernard de delgado torres castillo roberto (1 march 1918 – 18 june 1973), better known as roger delgado, was a british actor. he began his acting career in 1939. he is best known as the first actor to play the master in the bbc science fiction series "doctor who". he appeared as the master in 37 episodes from 1971 until his death in 1973.