Ronald Pickup facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ronald Pickup
Pickup in 2012
Born	Ronald Alfred Pickup (1940-06-07)7 June 1940 Chester, Cheshire, England
Died	24 February 2021(2021-02-24) (aged 80) Camden, London, England
Alma mater	University of Leeds Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1964–2021
Spouse(s)	Lans Traverse ​ (m. 1964)​
Children	2, including Rachel

Ronald Alfred Pickup (born June 7, 1940 – died February 24, 2021) was a talented English actor. He worked in television, movies, and on stage. His acting career started in 1964 with a role in Doctor Who. A famous theatre critic, Michael Billington, called him a "terrific stage star." He was also an important member of Laurence Olivier's National Theatre company. Ronald Pickup was well-known for playing Giuseppe Verdi in The Life of Verdi and Prince Yakimov in Fortunes of War.

Early Life and Training

Ronald Pickup was born in Chester, England, on June 7, 1940. His father, Eric, was a teacher. Ronald went to the King's School, Chester. Later, he studied English at the University of Leeds and finished his studies in 1962.

He then trained to be an actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. When he graduated in 1964, he won a special award called the Bancroft Medal. He met his wife, Lans Traverse, while they were both studying at RADA.

Acting Roles on Screen

Ronald Pickup had many exciting roles in television and movies.

Television Roles

Ronald Pickup's first TV role was in Doctor Who in 1964. He played a physician in an episode called The Reign of Terror. This role helped start his acting career.

In 1973, he starred in the BBC show The Dragon's Opponent. He played Charles Howard, a World War II expert who dealt with bombs. Later, in 1982, he played the famous composer Giuseppe Verdi in The Life of Verdi. This show was very popular.

He also played important historical figures. In 1983, he was Friedrich Nietzsche in Wagner. The next year, he played Albert Einstein in a TV mini-series called Einstein. He also played the writer George Orwell in Crystal Spirit: Orwell on Jura. Ronald Pickup once said that playing George Orwell was his favorite role.

In 1987, he played Prince Yakimov in Fortunes of War. He acted alongside famous actors like Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh. From 1988 to 1990, he was the voice of Aslan in the BBC show The Chronicles of Narnia. This show was based on the popular books by C. S. Lewis.

Ronald Pickup appeared in many other TV shows. These included Hornblower, Foyle's War, Midsomer Murders, and Doc Martin. He also had a regular role in the BBC sitcom The Worst Week of My Life in 2004. In 2010, he appeared in Lark Rise to Candleford.

In 2014, he was in Young Dracula as Morgan, the head of the vampire council. He also had a small role in Coronation Street. In 2016, he played Geoffrey Fisher, the Archbishop of Canterbury, in the Netflix series The Crown.

Film Roles

Ronald Pickup also had many roles in movies. In 1973, he played a forger in The Day of the Jackal. He was also in The Thirty Nine Steps in 1978.

He played Thomas Cranmer, an important religious leader, in the BBC's Henry VIII in 1979. He was also in the James Bond movie Never Say Never Again (1983) with Sean Connery. In 1986, he appeared in The Mission.

In 1989, he played Captain Lancaster, a strict teacher, in Danny, the Champion of the World. This movie was based on a book by Roald Dahl.

Ronald Pickup became known around the world for his role as Norman Cousins in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012). He played the same character again in the sequel, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, in 2015. In the 2017 movie Darkest Hour, he played Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain.

Acting Roles on Stage

Ronald Pickup was also a very good stage actor. His first professional play was in 1964. He worked with the famous actor Laurence Olivier at the Royal National Theatre. One of his most notable roles was as Baron Tusenbach in Three Sisters in 1967.

He also played Rosalind in an all-male production of As You Like It in 1967. This role helped him become more widely known. In 1998, he was nominated for an award for his role in the play Amy's View.

From 2009, Ronald Pickup starred as Lucky in the play Waiting for Godot. He acted alongside famous actors like Sir Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart. This play was very popular and toured many cities. His last stage role was in 2012.

Personal Life

Ronald Pickup married Lans Traverse in 1964. They had two children, Rachel and Simon. His daughter, Rachel Pickup, is also an actress. Ronald and Rachel acted together in two productions: an episode of Midsomer Murders in 2008 and the movie Schadenfreude in 2016.

Ronald Pickup passed away on February 24, 2021, at the age of 80, after being ill for a long time.

Filmography