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Ronnie BarkeBritish actor and comedian.
Date of Birth: 25.09.1929
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Biography of Ronald William George Barker
- Early Life and Interest in Theatre
- Early Career and Pursuit of Acting
- Success in Theatre, Radio, and Television
- 'The Two Ronnies' and Later Career
- Later Years and Legacy
Biography of Ronald William George Barker
Ronald William George Barker was a British actor and comedian, best known for his roles as Norman Stanley Fletcher in the British television comedy series 'Porridge', various roles in the British television series 'The Two Ronnies', and the role of Albert Arkwright in the series 'Open All Hours'. He was born in Bedford, Bedfordshire, England, to Leonard Barker, a clerk, and his wife Edith. Ronald had two sisters - an older sister, Vera, and a younger sister, Eileen.
Early Life and Interest in Theatre
As a child, Ronald enjoyed dressing up and pretending to be different characters, which sparked his interest in theatre. He often went with his family to see various productions, with his first play being 'Cottage to Let'. His fascination with theatre grew, and he would wait outside the theatre to collect autographs from actors and actresses. The first autograph he received was from actress Celia Johnson. In school, Ronald developed a love for humor and also became interested in music, singing in the local church choir. By the time he reached the sixth grade, Ronald decided that school had nothing more to offer him and left his education behind.
Early Career and Pursuit of Acting
Initially, Ronald planned to become an architect but soon realized that it was not the right path for him. He then took a job as a bank clerk, replacing his sister Vera, while harboring dreams of becoming a professional actor. For eighteen months, he balanced his banking job with amateur theatrical performances, and it was during this time that he got his first taste of a real production in 'A Murder Has Been Arranged'. Eventually, Ronald quit his job to pursue acting full-time, despite his father's lack of support. He managed to join a theater company in Aylesbury and began participating in weekly productions.
Success in Theatre, Radio, and Television
As Ronald gained success on the theater stage, he decided to venture into radio. His debut in radio came in 1956, and he quickly became a popular radio personality. Some of his notable roles during that time were Able Seaman Johnson and Lieutenant-Commander Stanton in 'The Navy Lark'. With his radio success, Ronald then transitioned to television and appeared in various shows, such as 'The Seven Faces of Jim' with Jimmy Edwards and June Whitfield, and 'Foreign Affairs' where he portrayed Russian ambassador Grisha Petrovich. In 1965, he landed a more serious role as Jerry Cruncher in 'A Tale of Two Cities'. However, it was not until 1966 that Ronald experienced a significant breakthrough with the satirical sketch show 'The Frost Report'. He played several middle-class characters, which resonated with audiences.
'The Two Ronnies' and Later Career
Building on the success of 'The Frost Report', Ronald, along with Ronnie Corbett and Josephine Tewson, secured a place on the BBC with their show 'The Two Ronnies'. The show became highly successful, and Ronald was given creative freedom by the channel. He worked on several successful shows for the next fifteen years. However, in 1988, Ronald decided to retire, feeling that he had reached the pinnacle of his career and did not want to tarnish his reputation with unsuccessful projects.
Later Years and Legacy
After retiring, Ronald operated his own antique shop and occasionally made television appearances. He passed away from heart failure in a hospital in Adderbury, Oxfordshire. His death was mourned by all British television and radio channels, and major publications featured the sad news. Ronald was cremated in a private ceremony attended only by family and close friends, with the exception of his son Adam, who had disputes with the police regarding his involvement with child pornography.
