How Old Is David Jason The Actor

Right, let’s talk about the absolute legend that is Sir David Jason. You know, the bloke who was Del Boy, the dodgy wheeler-dealer with the gold medallion and the catchphrase "This time next year, we'll be millionaires!" I bet you’re wondering: just how old is this man, exactly? Is he still counting his money on the sofa, or has he retired to a vineyard in France?

Well, grab your cuppa and sit down, because the answer is both simple and slightly mind-boggling. David Jason was born on 2 February 1940. Do the maths with me—that makes him 84 years old as of today. Eighty-four! I know, I know. It feels like he’s been on our telly forever, but also like he hasn’t aged a day since Only Fools and Horses was in its prime. How does he do it? Is it the lager?

From a Carpet Fitter to a National Treasure

Think about his journey for a sec. He started out in the 1960s, doing bits and bobs—even working as a carpet fitter and an electrician. Can you imagine Del Boy fixing your fuse box? Probably would’ve sold you a dodgy plug.

But then he landed the role of Derek Trotter in 1981, and the rest is comedy history. The show ran for over two decades, and David was already in his forties when it started. That’s mad, right? He was a middle-aged man playing a cockney wideboy, and he made it look effortless.

And let’s not forget A Touch of Frost—that brooding, grumpy detective. Completely different. He didn’t just act; he became those characters. The man is a chameleon with a PG Tips box.

Wait, Is He Really That Old?

It’s funny, because when you look at old episodes of Open All Hours—where he played the shy, stammering Granville—he looks like a young lad. But that was the 1970s. He was already in his thirties by then. He just had that boyish charm, the kind that makes time feel like a trick.

He even played a teenager in Porridge, believe it or not. A man in his mid-thirties pretending to be a young con. And he pulled it off! So, the question “How old is David Jason?” almost feels like a philosophical one. He’s 84 in human years, but about 65 in “legendary TV character years.”

The Secret to His Youthful Energy?

Maybe it’s the fact that he’s still working. He voiced Mr. Toad in the 2023 film The Wonderful World of Disney’s Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. At 83, he was still doing voiceovers! He’s also narrated documentaries—about steam trains, of all things. Because why not?

He also had a daughter later in life. His little girl, Sophie Mae, was born in 2001 when David was 61. That’s not just "being a dad," that’s being a super-dad. It probably keeps him sprightly. You can’t be grumpy about your age when you’re teaching a kid how to ride a bike at age 70.

But let’s be honest—there’s a part of us that doesn’t want him to get older. It’s like seeing your favourite pub. You want it to stay the same forever.

So, What’s the Verdict?

David Jason is 84 years old. But he’s also timeless. He’s the bloke who made us laugh with a gaudy suit and a chorus of “Lovely jubbly.” He’s the copper we trusted to solve the case over a casserole. He’s the gentle Granville who just wanted a life.

And honestly? He’s earned the right to be whatever age he wants. If he says he’s 29 and just having a bad hair day, I’ll believe him. After all, he could sell me a second-hand car and I’d probably thank him for it.

So next time you watch Only Fools and Horses and think, “Blimey, he’s looking a bit tired there,” just remember: that episode was filmed 40 years ago. The man is a walking, talking piece of British history. And he’s still here, still cracking jokes. Legend is an understatement.

Cheers to you, Sir David Jason. You’re 84 years young, and you’ll always be a millionaire in our hearts.