Sean Pertwee is the son of Jon Pertwee (The 3rd Dr. Who/Worzel Gummidge)and Ingeborg Rhoesha. He has a sister, Dariel, an accomplished stage actress.

He graduated from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in 1986 and spent three years with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

He was married in 1999 to The Hon Jacqueline Hamilton-Smith. In 2001 they had twin boys prematurely, Alfred and Gilbert, but sadly Gilbert died in early 2002.

He co-owned Natural Nylon film production company with Sadie Frost, Jude Law, Johnny Lee Miller and Ewan McGregor.