Ronald Lewis was a Welsh actor known for his roles in films such as Helen of Troy, Storm Over the Nile, and Billy Budd. He was active in the British film industry throughout the 1950s, but his career declined in the following decades.
Personal and Family Life
Born on December 11, 1928, in Port Talbot, West Glamorgan, Wales, Ronald Lewis had a brief marriage to Norah Gorsen before marrying Elizabeth Phillips in 1963, with whom he had one child. The couple divorced in 1967. Lewis had a heart attack in 1975 which impacted his health and career.
Career Highlights
Ronald Lewis gained fame in the 1950s with his appearances in various British films and on stage. He graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in 1950 and made his London debut at the Open Air Theatre in Regents Park. However, his career dwindled in the 1960s and 70s, leading to financial troubles and declaring bankruptcy in 1981.
Death and Legacy
Ronald Lewis died on January 11, 1982, in Pimlico, London, due to a drug overdose, which was classified as a suicide. His struggles with health and career downturns contributed to his tragic end. Despite his challenges, he is remembered for his contributions to British cinema and theatre in the mid-20th century.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Paul and Michelle | 1974-03-15 | Sir Robert |
| Friends | 1971-03-24 | Mr. Harrison |
| Billy Budd | 1962-11-12 | Enoch Jenkins, Maintopman |
| Mr. Sardonicus | 1961-10-08 | Sir Robert Cargrave |
| The Secret Place | 1957-02-06 | Gerry Carter |
| Taste of Fear | 1961-06-05 | Robert |
| The Prisoner | 1955-04-19 | The Guard |
| The Brigand of Kandahar | 1965-08-09 | Lt. Case |
| The Wind Cannot Read | 1958-06-10 | Fenwick |
| The Full Treatment | 1960-10-01 | Alan Colby |
| Jigsaw | 1962-08-21 | Det. Sgt. Jim Wilks |
| Conspiracy of Hearts | 1960-04-07 | Major Spoletti |
| Helen of Troy | 1956-01-26 | Aeneas |
| The Square Ring | 1953-07-13 | Eddie Lloyd |
| Robbery Under Arms | 1957-01-10 | Dick Marston |
| Siege of the Saxons | 1963-07-01 | Robert Marshall |
| Storm Over the Nile | 1955-12-26 | Peter Burroughs |
| A Hill in Korea | 1956-09-18 | Pvt. Wyatt |
| Nurse on Wheels | 1963-01-03 | Henry Edwards |
| Bachelor of Hearts | 1958-12-12 | Hugo Foster |
| Sailor Beware | 1956-09-04 | Albert Tuffnell |
| The Beachcomber | 1954-08-10 | Headman’s Son |
| Twice Round the Daffodils | 1962-04-02 | Bob White |
| Sailor Beware! | 1955-06-05 | Albert Tufnell AB |
| The John Sullivan Story | 1979-08-05 | Marko Karadjic |
| The Second Interview | 1970-09-29 | Derek Ballantyne |
| Some Lapse of Time | 1965-12-06 | Dr. Max Harrow |
| Lambda 1 | 1966-10-20 | Eric Benedict |
| Crown Court | 1972-10-11 | |
| Big Boy Now! | 1976-05-30 | |
| His And Hers | 1970-06-23 | |
| Public Eye | 1965-01-23 | Julian Bradley |
| The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes | 1971-09-20 | Dagobert Trostler |