Ronald Howard (7 April 191819 December 1997) was an English actor and writer. He appeared as

Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes () is a Detective fiction, fictional detective created by British author Arthur Conan Doyle. Referring to himself as a "Private investigator, consulting detective" in his stories, Holmes is known for his proficiency with obser ...

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, producer and writer.Obituary, '' Variety'', 9 June 1943. He wrote many stories and articles for ''The New York Times'', ''The New Yorker'', and '' Vanity Fair'' an ...

Early life and education

Ronald Howard was born on 7 April 1918 in

South Norwood South Norwood is a district of South 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 Woodside and ...

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

, the son of actor

and Ruth Evelyn (née Martin). He attended

Tonbridge School Tonbridge School is a public school (English fee-charging boarding and day school for boys aged 13–18) in Tonbridge, Kent, England, founded in 1553 by Sir Andrew Judde (sometimes spelt Judd). It is a member of the Eton Group and has clo ...

. After graduating from

Jesus College, Cambridge Jesus College is a Colleges of the University of Cambridge, constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Jesus College was established in 1496 on the site of the twelfth-century Benedictine nunnery of St Radegund's Priory, Cambridge, St ...

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

Film career

His first movie 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 televisio ...

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. 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 ''While the Sun Shines'' is a 1947 British comedy film directed by Anthony Asquith and starring Barbara White, Ronald Squire, Brenda Bruce, Bonar Colleano, and Michael Allan. It was based on Terence Rattigan's 1943 play of the same name. P ...

''. 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 Will 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 su ...

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 Epic film, epic swashbuckler film from Warner Bros. Pictures. It was produced by Hal B. Wallis and Henry Blanke, directed by Michael Curtiz and William Keighley, and written by Norman Reilly Ra ...

'' starring

Richard Greene Richard Marius Joseph Greene (25 August 1918 – 1 June 1985) was a noted English film and television actor. A matinée idol who appeared in more than 40 films, he was perhaps best known for the lead role in the long-running British TV series ...

. The character of Scarlet was later portrayed by

Paul Eddington Paul Clark Eddington (18 June 1927 – 4 November 1995) was an English actor who played Jerry Leadbetter in the television sitcom '' The Good Life'' (1975–1978) and politician Jim Hacker in the sitcom '' Yes Minister'' (1980–1984) and its ...

. 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 Hol ...

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

Holmes Holmes may refer to: People and fictional characters * Holmes (surname), a list of people and fictional characters ** Sherlock Holmes, a fictional detective * Holmes (given name), a list of people * Gordon Holmes, a penname used by Louis Trac ...

and

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

as Watson. 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. Later it also became available on Freeview, Freesat and Virgin Media. It is on air 24 hours a day and fe ...

. Howard continued mainly in British "B" films throughout the 1950s and 1960s, most notably '' The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb'' (1964), along with a few plum television guest roles in British and American television, including ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'', s.5 ep. 10: "Occurrence At Owl Creek" (1959), '' Combat!'' s.2 ep.25: "What Are the Bugles Blowin' For?"Pt.1 & 2 (1964)

Wing Commander Wing commander (Wg Cdr or W/C) is a senior officer rank used by some air forces, with origins from the Royal Air Force. The rank is used by air forces of many countries that have historical British influence. Wing commander is immediately se ...

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

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

and

Tom Nardini Tom Nardini is an American film actor who had a lengthy career in television. His best-known roles were in '' Cowboy in Africa'' (1967), and in ''Cat Ballou'' (1965), for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe award. Early life Born in Los ...

; 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 Brian McFarlane is a Canadian television sportscaster and author. He is best known as a broadcaster on Hockey Night In Canada and as an author of hockey books. He is also the honorary president of the Society for International Hockey Researc ...

wrote, "Despite his blond good looks (and resemblance to his father) and his agreeable demeanour, he lacked genuine star quality." Additionally in 1960 he appeared in the television series ''

Danger Man ''Danger Man'' (retitled ''Secret Agent'' in the United States for the revived series, and ''Destination Danger'' and ''John Drake'' in other overseas markets) is a British television series that was broadcast between 1960 and 1962, and again ...

'' in the episode entitled "The Traitor" as Noel Goddard. 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 which was 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 Nazism, Nazi politician and philologist who was the ''Gauleiter'' (district leader) of Berlin, chief Propaganda in Nazi Germany, propagandist for the Nazi Party, and ...

, the

Nazi Nazism (), formally named National Socialism (NS; , ), is the far-right politics, far-right Totalitarianism, totalitarian socio-political ideology and practices associated with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party (NSDAP) in Germany. During H ...

Minister of Propaganda A ministry of propaganda also known as agency, bureau or department of propaganda is the part of a government charged with generating and distributing propaganda. Though governments routinely engage in propaganda, ministries or departments with t ...

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

Personal life

Howard married Patricia Horsman in 1941, which ended in divorce in 1945. He married Jean Millar in 1946.

Death

He died on 19 December 1997 in Dorset.

Filmography

Television

* ''

'' (1954)Sherlock Holmes * ''

'' (1955) (Two episodes)) Will Scarlet two episodes) * '' The Adventures of Aggie'' (1956) (Season 1, episode 6: "The Chiseller")Heinrich * '' Mary Britten, M.D.'' (1958)Stephen Britten * ''

Alfred Hitchcock Presents ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' is an American television anthology series created, hosted and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, airing on CBS and NBC, alternately, between 1955 and 1965. It features dramas, thrillers, and mysteries. Between 1962 ...

'' (1959) (Season 5, episode 13: "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge")Peyton Farquhar * ''

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 Ste ...

'' (1960) (Season 2, episode 25 "The Haunting")Colin Chandler * ''

'' (1961) (Season 6, episode 33: "A Secret Life")James Howgill * '' Combat!'' (1964) (Season 2, episodes 25 and 26 "What Are the Bugles Blowin'For?" pt 1 and pt 2)Captain Johns * '' Run a Crooked Mile'' (1969, TV Movie)Inspector Huntington

Film

* ''

Romeo and Juliet ''The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet'', often shortened to ''Romeo and Juliet'', is a Shakespearean tragedy, tragedy written by William Shakespeare about the romance between two young Italians from feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's ...

'' (1936)Minor Secondary Role (uncredited) * '' "Pimpernel" Smith'' (1941)Minor Role (uncredited) * ''

'' (1947)Earl of Harpenden * '' Night Beat'' (1947)Andy Kendall * '' My Brother Jonathan'' (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 l ...

'' (1948)Steve Winter * '' The Queen of Spades'' (1949)Andrei * '' Now Barabbas'' (1949)Roberts Bank Cashier * '' Double Confession'' (1950)Hilary Boscombe * '' Portrait of Clare'' (1950)Ralph Hingston * '' Flesh and Blood'' (1951)Purley * '' The Browning Version'' (1951)Gilbert * '' Assassin for Hire'' (1951)Detective Inspector Carson * '' Night Was Our Friend'' (1951)John Harper * ''

Wide Boy ''Wide boy'' is a British term for a man who lives by his wits, wheeling and dealing. According to the ''Oxford English Dictionary'' it is synonymous with spiv.Oxford English Dictionary accessed 13 Dec 2010 The word "wide" used in this sense mean ...

'' (1952)Inspector Carson * '' Black Orchid'' (1953)Dr. John Winnington * '' Street Corner'' (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 ''Flannelfoot'' is a 1953 British second feature ('B') crime film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring Ronald Howard, Mary Germaine and Jack Watling. It was written by Carl Heck and Jack Henry, and made at Walton Studios. The film's sets ...

'' (1953)Detective Sergeant Fitzgerald * '' The Hideout'' (1956)Robert Grant * '' Drango'' (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 succes ...

'' (1957)Michael Lacey * '' The House in the Woods'' (1957)Spencer Rowland * '' I Accuse!'' (1958)Captain Avril * '' Gideon's Day'' (1958)Paul Delafield * '' Moment of Indiscretion'' (1958)John Miller * '' No Trees in the Street'' (1959)Detective Sergeant Frank Collins * '' Babette Goes to War'' (1959)Fitzpatrick * '' Man Accused'' (1959)Bob Jenson * '' The Malpas Mystery''Dick Shannon * '' The Spider's Web'' (1960)Jeremy * '' Compelled'' (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 United Kingdom, British-American co-production distributed by United Artists, directed by Michael Anderson (director), Micha ...

'' (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. The film was the first produced by Hudson's film production company, 7 Pictures Corp ...

'' (1961)Spencer * '' Murder She Said'' (1961)Eastley * '' Fate Takes a Hand'' (1961)Tony * '' The Spanish Sword'' (1962)Sir Richard Clovell * '' Skin Game'' (1962)Inspector Gordon * '' Live Now, Pay Later'' (1962)Cedric Mason * '' Nurse on Wheels'' (1963)Dr. Harold Golfrey * '' The Bay of St Michel'' (1963)Bill Webb * '' Siege of the Saxons'' (1963)Edmund * '' Bomb in the High Street'' (1963)Captain Manning * '' The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb'' (1964)John Bray * '' Weekend at Dunkirk'' (1964)Robinson * '' You Must be Joking'' (1965)Cecil * '' Africa Texas Style'' (1967)Hugo Copp * '' 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 term ...

'' (1974)Dr. Ross * '' Take a Hard Ride'' (1975)Halsey (final film role)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Howard, Ronald 1918 births 1997 deaths Alumni of Jesus College, Cambridge English male film actors English male stage actors English male television actors English people of Hungarian-Jewish descent Actors from the London Borough of Croydon People educated at Tonbridge School 20th-century English male actors Male actors from London People from South Norwood