Please answer the following question: Facts:   - death place: london , england    - caption: in the web of fear -lrb- 1968 -rrb-    - birth name: stephen john whittaker    - death date: 7 february 2003    - spouse: wife , ann .      - children: a son and daughter    - birth date: 28 june 1947    - name: stephen whittaker    - image: `` actor-director_stephen_whittaker '' . jpg    - birth place: london , england , united kingdom    - occupation: actor and director   Based on these bullet points, write a short biography describing the life of stephen whittaker .
Answer:
stephen whittaker -lrb- 28 june 19477 february 2003 -rrb- was a british actor and director .he worked largely in british film and television , and trained as an actor at london 's corona academy .he began his career aged 17 , as a `` bad boy '' in the film `` to sir with love '' -lrb- 1966 -rrb- , and in the classic bbc `` doctor who '' adventure `` the web of fear '' , as a soldier battling yeti in the london underground .in 1985 whittaker took a director 's training course , and directed a short training film which he sent to john schlesinger -lrb- who had directed him in `` yanks '' -rrb- .schlesinger suggested him to producer mark shivas as director for channel 4 's drama trilogy `` what if it 's raining ? '', written by anthony minghella .this was the beginning of a directing career of prestigious tv and film work .shortly before whittaker 's death , writer julian fellowes spoke of him as , `` the most exciting director in the industry . ''in 2001 he filmed his final project `` the rocket post '' , a romantic drama set on a remote scottish island .the film had severe funding problems , and was eventually released in 2006 , three years after his death .the credits bear a dedication to his memory .