Ronald Howard (7 April 1918 – 19 December 1996) was an

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ...

actor An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), lit ...

and writer. He appeared as

Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes () is a fictional detective created by British author Arthur Conan Doyle. Referring to himself as a " consulting detective" in the stories, Holmes is known for his proficiency with observation, deduction, forensic science and ...

in a weekly television series of the same name in 1954. He was the son of the actor

Leslie Howard Leslie Howard Steiner (3 April 18931 June 1943) was an English actor, director and producer.Obituary ''Variety'', 9 June 1943. He wrote many stories and articles for ''The New York Times'', ''The New Yorker'', and ''Vanity Fair'' and was one o ...

Early life

Howard was born in

South Norwood South Norwood is a district of south-east London, England, within the London Borough of Croydon, Greater London and formerly in the historic county of Surrey. It is located 7.8 miles (12.5 km) south-east of Charing Cross, north of Wood ...

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

, the son of Ruth Evelyn (née Martin) and the actor

. He attended

Tonbridge School (God Giveth the Increase) , established = , closed = , type = Public schoolIndependent day and boarding , religion = , president = , head_label ...

. After graduating from

Jesus College, Cambridge Jesus College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college's full name is The College of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint John the Evangelist and the glorious Virgin Saint Radegund, near Cambridge. Its common name comes ...

, Ronald became a newspaper reporter for a while but decided to become an actor.

Film career

His first film role was an uncredited

bit part In acting, a bit part is a role in which there is direct interaction with the principal actors and no more than five lines of dialogue, often referred to as a five-or-less or under-five in the United States, or under sixes in British televi ...

in '' Pimpernel Smith'' (1941), a film directed by and starring his father in the title role, though young Howard's part ended up on the

cutting room floor The term cutting room floor is used in the film industry as a figure of speech referring to unused or scrapped footage not included in the finished film. Outside of the film industry, it may refer to any creative work unused in the final product. ...

. In the early 1940s, Howard gained acting experience in regional theatre, the

stage and eventually films; his official debut was in 1947's ''While the Sun Shines''. Howard received varying degrees of exposure in some well-known films, such as '' The Queen of Spades'' (1949) and '' The Browning Version'' (1951). Howard played

Will Scarlet Scarlet (also Scarlett, Scarlock, Scadlock, Scatheloke, Scathelocke and Shacklock) is a prominent member of Robin Hood's Merry Men. He is present in the earliest ballads along with Little John and Much the Miller's Son. The confusion of surn ...

in the episode of the same name of the 1950s British television classic ''

The Adventures of Robin Hood ''The Adventures of Robin Hood'' is a 1938 American Technicolor swashbuckler film from Warner Bros. Pictures. It was produced by Hal B. Wallis and Henry Blanke, directed by Michael Curtiz and William Keighley, and stars Errol Flynn, Olivia d ...

'' starring Richard Greene. The character of Scarlet was later portrayed by

Paul Eddington Paul Clark Eddington (18 June 1927 – 4 November 1995) was an English actor best known for playing Jerry Leadbetter in the television sitcom '' The Good Life'' (1975–78) and politician Jim Hacker in the sitcom '' Yes Minister'' (1980–84) ...

. The 1954 ''

'' television series, based on the

Arthur Conan Doyle Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle (22 May 1859 – 7 July 1930) was a British writer and physician. He created the character Sherlock Holmes in 1887 for ''A Study in Scarlet'', the first of four novels and fifty-six short stories about Ho ...

characters and produced by Sheldon Reynolds, ran for 39 episodes starring Howard as

Holmes Holmes may refer to: Name * Holmes (surname) * Holmes (given name) * Baron Holmes, noble title created twice in the Peerage of Ireland * Chris Holmes, Baron Holmes of Richmond (born 1971), British former swimmer and life peer Places In the Uni ...

and

Howard Marion-Crawford Howard Marion-Crawford (17 January 1914 – 24 November 1969), the grandson of writer F. Marion Crawford, was an English character actor, best known for his portrayal of Dr. Watson in the 1954 television adaptation of Sherlock Holmes. In 1 ...

Watson Watson may refer to: Companies * Actavis, a pharmaceutical company formerly known as Watson Pharmaceuticals * A.S. Watson Group, retail division of Hutchison Whampoa * Thomas J. Watson Research Center, IBM research center * Watson Systems, make ...

. In addition to 21st century DVD releases, in 2006 and 2014 this series was broadcast in the UK on the satellite channel Bonanza, before being repeated in May 2021 on

Talking Pictures TV Talking Pictures TV (TPTV) is a British free-to-air vintage-film and nostalgia television channel. It was launched on 26 May 2015 on Sky channel 343, but later also became available on Freeview, Freesat, and Virgin Media. It is on air for 24 h ...

. Howard continued mainly in British "B" films throughout the 1950s and 1960s, most notably ''

The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb ''The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb'' is a 1964 British horror film produced, written and directed by Michael Carreras, starring Terence Morgan, Ronald Howard, Fred Clark and introducing Jeanne Roland. Plot "Egypt in the year 1900". The mummy ...

'' (1964), along with a few plum television guest roles in British and American television in the 1960s, including the TV series, '' Combat!'' s.2 ep.25: "What Are the Bugles Blowin' For?" - Pt.1 & 2 (1964)

Wing Commander Wing commander (Wg Cdr in the RAF, the IAF, and the PAF, WGCDR in the RNZAF and RAAF, formerly sometimes W/C in all services) is a senior commissioned rank in the British Royal Air Force and air forces of many countries which have historical ...

Hayes in the 1967 '' Cowboy in Africa'' TV show with

Chuck Connors Kevin Joseph Aloysius "Chuck" Connors (April 10, 1921 – November 10, 1992) was an American actor, writer, and professional basketball and baseball player. He is one of only 13 athletes in the history of American professional sports to have p ...

and Tom Nardini; two episodes of Boris Karloff's TV series ''Thriller'', S1 E23 "Well of Doom" and S2 E5 "God Grante that She Lye Stille" (both 1961). Of his career in British B films the film historians Steve Chibnall and Brian McFarlane wrote, "Despite his blond good looks (and resemblance to his father) and his agreeable demeanour, he lacked genuine star quality." In the mid-1970s, he reluctantly put aside his acting career to run an art gallery.

''In Search of My Father''

In the 1980s he wrote ''In Search of My Father: A Portrait of Leslie Howard'', a biography covering the career and mysterious death of his father, whose plane was shot down over the Bay of Biscay on 1 June 1943. His conclusion (which remains in dispute) was that the Germans' goal in shooting down the plane was to kill his father, who was Jewish and who had been travelling through Spain and Portugal, ostensibly lecturing on film, but also meeting with local activists and shoring up support for the Allied cause.Howard, Ronald. In Search of My Father: A Portrait of Leslie Howard. London: St. Martin's Press, 1984; . The Nazis suspected surreptitious activities since German agents were active throughout Spain and Portugal, which, like Switzerland, was a crossroads for persons from both sides of the conflict, but even more accessible to Allied citizens."Leslie Howard."
''lesliehowardsociety.multiply.com''; Retrieved 22 July 2010. The book explores in detail written German orders to the Ju 88 ''Staffel'' based in France, assigned to intercept the aircraft, as well as communiqués on the British side that verify intelligence reports of the time indicating a deliberate attack on Howard. Ronald Howard was convinced that the order to shoot down the airliner came directly from

Joseph Goebbels Paul Joseph Goebbels (; 29 October 1897 – 1 May 1945) was a German Nazi politician who was the '' Gauleiter'' (district leader) of Berlin, chief propagandist for the Nazi Party, and then Reich Minister of Propaganda from 1933 to ...

, the

Nazi Nazism ( ; german: Nazismus), the common name in English for National Socialism (german: Nationalsozialismus, ), is the far-right totalitarian political ideology and practices associated with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party (NSDAP) in ...

Minister of Propaganda, who had been ridiculed in one of Leslie Howard's films, and who believed him to be the most dangerous British propagandist.

Filmography

* ''

Romeo and Juliet ''Romeo and Juliet'' is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career about the romance between two Italian youths from feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetime and, along with ''Ham ...

'' (1936) - Minor Secondary Role (uncredited) * ''

"Pimpernel" Smith ''"Pimpernel" Smith'' (released in the USA as ''Mister V'') is a 1941 British anti-Nazi thriller, produced and directed by its star Leslie Howard, which updates his role in ''The Scarlet Pimpernel'' (1934) from Revolutionary France to pre-Seco ...

'' (1941) - Minor Role (uncredited) * '' While the Sun Shines'' (1947) - Earl of Harpenden * '' Night Beat'' (1947) - Andy Kendall * ''

My Brother Jonathan ''My Brother Jonathan'' is a 1948 British drama film directed by Harold French and starring Michael Denison, Dulcie Gray, Ronald Howard and Beatrice Campbell. It is adapted from the 1930 novel '' My Brother Jonathan'' by Francis Brett Young, ...

'' (1948) - Harold Dakers * ''

Bond Street Bond Street in the West End of London links Piccadilly in the south to Oxford Street in the north. Since the 18th century the street has housed many prestigious and upmarket fashion retailers. The southern section is Old Bond Street and the ...

'' (1948) - Steve Winter * '' The Queen of Spades'' (1949) - Andrei * ''

Now Barabbas ''Now Barabbas'' is a 1949 British drama film directed by Gordon Parry and starring Richard Greene, Cedric Hardwicke and Kathleen Harrison. It is sometimes known as ''Now Barabbas Was a Robber''. It was based on a 1947 play of the same title by ...

'' (1949) - Roberts Bank Cashier * ''

Double Confession ''Double Confession'' is a 1950 British crime film directed by Ken Annakin and starring Derek Farr, Joan Hopkins, William Hartnell and Peter Lorre. The screenplay, written by William Templeton, is based on the novel, ''All On A Summer's Day' ...

'' (1950) - Hilary Boscombe * '' Portrait of Clare'' (1950) - Ralph Hingston * '' Flesh and Blood'' (1951) - Purley * '' The Browning Version'' (1951) - Gilbert * ''

Assassin for Hire ''Assassin for Hire'' is a 1951 British crime film directed by Michael McCarthy and starring Sydney Tafler, Ronald Howard and Katharine Blake. Its plot follows a contract killer who becomes stricken with remorse when he is led to believe he ...

'' (1951) - Detective Inspector Carson * '' Night Was Our Friend'' (1951) - John Harper * '' Wide Boy'' (1952) - Inspector Carson * '' Black Orchid'' (1953) - Dr. John Winnington * ''

Street Corner A streetcorner or street corner is the location which lies adjacent to an intersection (road), intersection of two roads. Such locations are important in terms of local planning and commerce, usually being the locations of street signs and lamp post ...

'' (1953) (aka ''Both Sides of the Law'') - David Evans * '' Noose for a Lady'' (1953) - Dr. Evershed * '' Glad Tidings'' (1953) - Corporal Brayne R.A.F. * '' Flannelfoot'' (1953) - Detective Sgt. Fitzgerald * '' The Hideout'' (1956) - Robert Grant * ''

Drango ''Drango'' is a 1957 American Western film produced by Jeff Chandler's production company Earlmar Productions, written and directed by Hall Bartlett, and released by United Artists. Starring Chandler in the title role, the film also features ...

'' (1957) - Clay Allen * ''

Light Fingers Light Fingers (1961−1988) was a New Zealand bred thoroughbred racehorse who won the Melbourne Cup in 1965. In 2017 Light Fingers was inducted to the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. Background The lightly built chestnut was by the highly succe ...

'' (1957) - Michael Lacey * '' The House in the Woods'' (1957) - Spencer Rowland * '' I Accuse!'' (1958) - Capt. Avril * ''

Gideon's Day ''Gideon's Day'' is the first in a series of police procedural novels by John Creasey writing as J.J. Marric. Published in 1955, it features a day in the professional life of Detective Superintendent George Gideon of the C.I.D., Scotland Y ...

'' (1958) - Paul Delafield * ''

Moment of Indiscretion ''Moment of Indiscretion'' is a low budget 1958 British crime film. Plot Janet Miller is accused of the murder of a stabbed woman. Janet's handkerchief and spare house key have been discovered at the crime scene, and she is cagey about her wher ...

'' (1958) - John Miller * ''

No Trees in the Street ''No Trees in the Street'' is a 1959 British crime thriller directed by J. Lee Thompson and written by Ted Willis, from his 1948 stage play of the same name. The film is set in the slums of London. It depicts the life of impoverished teenager T ...

'' (1959) - Detective Sergeant Frank Collins * ' (1959) - Fitzpatrick * '' Man Accused'' (1959) - Bob Jenson * ''

One Step Beyond One Step Beyond may refer to: Music * ''One Step Beyond'' (Dungeon album) or the title song, 2004 * ''One Step Beyond'' (Jackie McLean album), 1963 * '' One Step Beyond...'', an album by Madness, or the title song (see below), 1979 * ''One Step ...

'' (1960), "The Haunting", Series 2, Episode 25 * '' The Malpas Mystery'' - Dick Shannon * '' The Spider's Web'' (1960) - Jeremy * ''

Compelled ''Compelled'' is a 1960 British neo noir black and white crime film, one of two films directed by Ramsey Herrington. It stars Ronald Howard and Beth Rogan. Plot Ex-con Paul Adams is an engineer blackmailed into assisting with a jewel theft. U ...

'' (1960) - Paul Adams * '' The Monster of Highgate Ponds'' (1961) - Uncle Dick * ''

The Naked Edge ''The Naked Edge'' is a 1961 thriller film starring Gary Cooper (in his final film role) and Deborah Kerr. The film was a British-American co-production distributed by United Artists, directed by Michael Anderson and produced by George Glass an ...

'' (1961) - Mr. Claridge * ''

Come September ''Come September'' is a 1961 American romantic comedy film directed by Robert Mulligan and starring Rock Hudson, Gina Lollobrigida, Sandra Dee and Bobby Darin. Plot Wealthy American businessman Robert Talbot owns a villa on the Ligurian coast, ...

'' (1961) - Spencer * ''

Murder She Said Murder is the unlawful killing of another human without justification or valid excuse, especially the unlawful killing of another human with malice aforethought. ("The killing of another person without justification or excuse, especially the c ...

'' (1961) - Eastley * ''

Fate Takes a Hand ''Fate Takes a Hand'' is a 1961 British anthology drama film. Plot The recovery of a mail bag stolen in a robbery 15 years before has varying consequences on the lives of five of the recipients of the letters, when the post office decide that ...

'' (1961) - Tony * ''

The Spanish Sword ''The Spanish Sword'' is a low budget 1962 British adventure film directed by Ernest Morris and starring Ronald Howard, June Thorburn and Nigel Green. Premise Rebellion breaks out during the reign of Henry III, and a brave knight foils the pl ...

'' (1962) - Sir Richard Clovell * ''

Skin Game ''Skin Game'' is a 1971 American independent comedy western directed by Paul Bogart and Gordon Douglas, and starring James Garner and Lou Gossett. The supporting cast features Susan Clark, Edward Asner, Andrew Duggan, Parley Baer and R ...

'' (1962) - Inspector Gordon * '' Live Now, Pay Later'' (1962) - Cedric Mason * ''

Nurse on Wheels ''Nurse on Wheels'' is a 1963 British comedy film directed by Gerald Thomas, and starring Juliet Mills, Ronald Lewis, and Joan Sims. ''Nurse on Wheels'' shares its cast and production team with the ''Carry On'' films, but the film is not an of ...

'' (1963) - Dr. Harold Golfrey * '' Operation Mermaid'' (1963) - Bill Webb * ''

Siege of the Saxons ''Siege of the Saxons'' is a 1963 British adventure film directed by Nathan H. Juran and released by Columbia Pictures. Starring Janette Scott and Ronald Lewis, the film is set in the time of King Arthur, but, as with many Arthurian themed film ...

'' (1963) - Edmund * '' Bomb in the High Street'' (1963) - Capt. Manning * ''

'' (1964) - John Bray * ''

Combat Combat (French for ''fight'') is a purposeful violent conflict meant to physically harm or kill the opposition. Combat may be armed (using weapons) or unarmed ( not using weapons). Combat is sometimes resorted to as a method of self-defense, or ...

'' In episode 'What Are the Bugles Blowin'For? pt 1 and pt 2 (1964) - Captain Johns * ''

Weekend at Dunkirk ''Weekend at Dunkirk'' (french: Week-end à Zuydcoote) is a 1964 war drama film directed by Henri Verneuil and starring Jean-Paul Belmondo. It is based on the 1949 Prix Goncourt winning novel ''Week-end at Zuydcoote'' (French: ''Week-end à Zuyd ...

'' (1964) - Robinson * '' You Must be Joking'' (1965) - Cecil * '' Africa Texas Style'' (1967) - Hugo Copp * ''

Run a Crooked Mile ''Run a Crooked Mile'' is a 1969 British made-for-television thriller film starring Louis Jourdan as Richard Stuart, an ordinary schoolteacher who, whilst on holiday, is a witness to a murder in a private secluded mansion. When he reports this ho ...

'' (1969, TV Movie) - Inspector Huntington * '' The Hunting Party'' (1971) - Watt Nelson * ''

Persecution Persecution is the systematic mistreatment of an individual or group by another individual or group. The most common forms are religious persecution, racism, and political persecution, though there is naturally some overlap between these ter ...

'' (1974) - Dr. Ross * ''

Take a Hard Ride ''Take a Hard Ride'' is a 1975 Italian-American Spaghetti Western film directed by Anthony Dawson and starring Jim Brown, Lee Van Cleef, Fred Williamson and Jim Kelly. This was the second of three films Brown, Williamson, and Kelly would star in ...

'' (1975) - Halsey (final film role)

References

External links