Ronald Adam (actor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ronald Adam
|
|
|---|---|
in Green for Danger (1946)
|
|
| Born |
Ronald George Hinings Adams
31 December 1896 Bromyard, Herefordshire, England
|
| Died | 28 March 1979 (aged 82) London, England
|
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1914–1978 |
| Spouse(s) |
|
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
|
| Years of service | 1914–1918 1939–1945 |
| Rank | Wing commander |
| Service number | 76367 |
| Unit |
|
| Battles/wars | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Officer of the Order of the British Empire |
Ronald George Hinings Adams (born December 31, 1896 – died March 28, 1979), known as Ronald Adam, was a talented British man. He was an officer in the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force. He was also a successful actor on stage and in movies, and he managed theatres too.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Ronald Adam was born in Bromyard, Herefordshire, England, on December 31, 1896. His parents and grandparents were all involved in theatre. This meant he grew up around acting and plays. He went to school at University College School.
Serving in World War I
When he was only 17, Ronald joined the British Army as First World War began in 1914. He quickly moved to the Royal Flying Corps (RFC). This was an early air force. He first worked as an observer in France. Later, he trained to become a pilot.
As a pilot, Ronald flew Sopwith Camel planes in Britain. He helped defend the country from air raids. His squadron was one of the first to use night-fighters. These planes would try to stop Zeppelin airships attacking London. He then went back to France to fly with No. 73 Squadron.
On April 1, 1918, the RFC became the Royal Air Force (RAF). Just a few days later, on April 7, 1918, Ronald's plane was shot down in France. He was badly hurt and became a prisoner of war. He spent eight months in hospitals and prison camps. He returned home in December 1918.
A Career in Acting
After the war, Ronald first trained to be an accountant. But he soon found his true passion was theatre. He changed his name to "Ronald Adam" for his acting career.
From 1924 to 1926, he worked as a manager for famous actors. In 1932, he started managing the Embassy Theatre. He put on more than 150 new plays and revivals there. Many of these plays were so popular that they moved to bigger theatres in London's West End. He also acted in many of these plays himself.
Ronald started acting in films in 1938. Some of his early movies included Strange Boarders and The Drum. He also kept performing in live theatre.
Serving in World War II
When Second World War started, Ronald Adam rejoined the RAF. He served from 1939 to 1945. During the important Battle of Britain in 1940, he had a very important job. He was a Fighter Controller for the Hornchurch area.
His job was to guide RAF fighter planes. He used information from radar and ground observers. Then he would tell the fighters where to go to stop enemy planes. There are even old film clips of him doing this job. A famous pilot, Jeffrey Quill, said Ronald's calm voice helped a lot during the battle.
Ronald also acted in films during the war. He played a German bomber chief in The Lion Has Wings (1939).
After the Wars
In 1946, Ronald Adam was given an award called the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This was for his service.
After 1946, he continued acting in plays. He even performed on Broadway in New York City in 1951. However, he spent most of his time acting in films and on television. Between 1946 and 1978, he appeared in over 140 movies and TV shows. In the 1952 film Angels One Five, he played a Group Controller. This was the same job he had in real life during the Battle of Britain.
Selected Film Roles
Ronald Adam acted in many films. Here are a few examples:
- The Drum (1938)
- The Lion Has Wings (1939)
- The Foreman Went to France (1942)
- Green for Danger (1946)
- Angels One Five (1952)
- The Lavender Hill Mob (1951)
- Reach for the Sky (1956)
- Around the World in 80 Days (1956)
- The Haunting (1963)
- Zeppelin (1971)
Personal Life
Ronald Adam was married twice. His first wife was Tanzi Cutava Barozzi, but their marriage ended. His second wife was Allyne Dorothy Franks. He had two children, Jane and David. Ronald Adam lived in Surbiton, Surrey, after World War II. He passed away on March 28, 1979.
Books and Plays
Ronald Adam also wrote and adapted plays. Some of his own plays include An English Summer (1948) and A Wind on the Heath (1949).
He wrote a book about his theatre memories called Overture and Beginners (1938). During World War II, he wrote two novels about his RAF experiences. These were first published under the name "Blake." Later, they were republished with his real name.
