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April Walker

April Walker (born 1943) is a retired English actress. Born in , Dorset, she trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art from 1960 to 1962. Her acting career, spanning 1962 to 2009, included numerous television appearances in BBC comedies and dramas such as , , , , and , as well as theatre roles in West End productions like (1968) and international tours. She also featured in films including (1976) and Rhubarb Rhubarb (1980). Walker is notably known for being cast in 1973 as Sarah Jane Smith, the new companion in the BBC science fiction series Doctor Who, opposite Jon Pertwee. After signing a contract, she was replaced by Elisabeth Sladen following objections from Pertwee, though she received payment for the full season.

Early life and education

Birth and upbringing

April Walker was born on January 6, 1966, in , . She grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant (Bed-Stuy) neighborhood, in a family deeply rooted in music; her grandfather was a member of the vocal group The Treniers, and her father was active in the music scene. Raised in the artistic environment of 1970s and 1980s , Walker was exposed to singing, acting, dance, and jazz clubs featuring artists like and . At age 13, she began teaching classes at Cadman Memorial Church in , using the earnings to sell custom t-shirts, sparking her early entrepreneurial interests. Her childhood in Bed-Stuy, influenced by her mother's refined style and her father's swagger, as well as the emerging hip-hop culture—particularly Salt-N-Pepa's album Hot, Cool & Vicious—shaped her passion for fashion and urban aesthetics.

Education

Walker graduated from Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Brooklyn around 1985. She then attended the State University of New York at New Paltz (SUNY New Paltz), where during her junior year in 1987, she opened her first shop, Fashion In Effect, blending her studies with early fashion ventures.

Professional career

April Walker's career in fashion began in 1988 when, at age 21, she opened Fashion In Effect, a custom clothing atelier in Brooklyn, New York, catering to the emerging hip-hop culture. This venture evolved into Walker Wear in 1991, the first streetwear brand founded by a woman of color, which pioneered urban menswear by blending workwear, athletic gear, and hip-hop aesthetics. The brand quickly gained prominence, generating millions in sales and breaking distribution barriers for urban fashion, ultimately contributing to the growth of a multi-billion-dollar global streetwear industry. Walker Wear's designs, including baggy jeans, hoodies, and logoed apparel, became staples in . The brand expanded through collaborations with major artists and entities, such as , , , and the , as well as NBA stars and brands like Starter and the WNBA's . Walker also designed custom pieces for high-profile events, including attire for in the ring, and ventured into entertainment with costumes for films like the Transformers series. By the mid-1990s, her influence extended to licensing deals with and . In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Walker took on executive roles, serving as vice president at Phat Farm, where she helped shape its urban apparel lines, and launching the women's division, Dimes, for the basketball brand And1. She provided consulting services to companies including Champion, DreamWorks, and MLB-licensed products, focusing on integrating streetwear elements into mainstream markets. These positions solidified her role in bridging hip-hop culture with broader fashion and sports industries. Transitioning into education and mentorship, Walker became an at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, teaching courses on urban fashion and creative entrepreneurship. She contributed to the development of Parsons School of Design's Streetwear Essentials curriculum and consulted for the Department of Education on design programs. In 2023, Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design named its apparel lab after her in recognition of her pioneering work. Walker also authored Walkergems: Get Your A%$ Off The Couch, a motivational guide for creators, and offers online courses for aspiring fashion entrepreneurs. As of 2025, Walker continues to innovate, exploring technologies through collaborations like the People of Crypto Lab's Cultureverse NFT project and Culture Cards, while maintaining her influence in . In September 2024, she was honored at Michigan's only HBCU, Lewis College of Business, during the National Black Footwear Forum for her contributions to Black entrepreneurship in design.

Doctor Who involvement

Audition process

In 1973, the production team for sought a new companion to succeed Katy Manning's departure as , pairing with in his role as the Third Doctor for the show's eleventh season. The character, , was conceived as a feisty investigative from , requiring an actress capable of embodying intelligence, bravery, and relatability in high-stakes adventures. Producer Barry Letts led the search, reviewing and auditioning a wide array of candidates to find the right fit for the ensemble dynamic. April Walker, a 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) blonde actress with prior television credits including guest roles in comedies like , was shortlisted based on her versatile screen presence. Her audition, which she later described as "adventurous" and lasting about 1.5 hours, simulated a full read-through of script scenes tailored to Sarah Jane's profile. It tested her physical agility and emotional depth through actions such as climbing fences, feigning terror and fainting, and delivering intense dramatic lines, highlighting her suitability for the character's bold, action-oriented journalism. Letts emphasized Walker's striking height, fair-haired look, and proven acting range during the , which aligned with the vision for a companion who could stand out alongside Pertwee without overshadowing the . Following this rigorous and multi-stage process, Letts formally offered Walker the part on 14 March 1973, and she signed a committing her to the entire season, including costume fittings and preparations for the premiere story, .

Casting and dismissal

Following a successful audition process, April Walker was selected and contracted by Barry Letts to play the role of opposite in the Eleventh season of . However, Pertwee vetoed the casting because he felt Walker was too tall, busty, and dominant a performer for the role, preferring a shorter, more petite and dark-haired actress whom he could portray as protecting like a daughter in the children's show. Walker stood at 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m), while Pertwee was 6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m) tall, prompting Letts to reluctantly recast the part. Elisabeth Sladen was ultimately chosen as the replacement, debuting as in the 1973 serial . Despite filming no episodes, Walker received full payment for the season under her existing contract, having already been measured for costumes. This episode underscored the influence of lead actors on casting decisions in 1970s British television production, where star vetoes could override producer choices even after contracts were signed.

Personal life

Marriages

April Walker has kept much of her personal life private, focusing public attention on her career in fashion and entrepreneurship. Little information about her marriages or long-term relationships is publicly available. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, she was in a relationship with player .

Later years

Born January 6, 1966, in , , Walker was raised in the Bed-Stuy neighborhood by a family with deep roots in music, including a grandfather who was a musician. As of November 15, 2025, she is 59 years old and continues to reside in , remaining active in the fashion industry through her brand Walker Wear, educational roles at institutions like NYU, and public appearances. Her ongoing contributions include mentoring young designers and participating in cultural events, such as the 2023 Fashion Icon Award at the Public Library's People's Ball.

References

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