Rudolph Walker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rudolph Walker
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Walker in 2009
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| Born |
Rudolph Malcolm Walker
28 September 1939 San Juan, Trinidad and Tobago
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| Citizenship | Trinidad and Tobago United Kingdom |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1964–present |
| Known for | Love Thy Neighbour (1972–1976); The Thin Blue Line (1995–1996); EastEnders (2001–present) |
| Spouse(s) |
Lorna Ross
(m. 1968, divorced) |
| Children | 2 |
Rudolph Malcolm Walker is a famous Trinidadian-British actor. He was born on September 28, 1939. He is best known for playing Bill Reynolds in the TV show Love Thy Neighbour. He also played Constable Frank Gladstone in The Thin Blue Line. Many people know him as Patrick Trueman from the long-running BBC soap opera EastEnders, a role he has played since 2001. In 2018, he won a special award for his amazing work in soap operas.
Rudolph Walker also used his voice for the British and American versions of Teletubbies. He has appeared in movies like 10 Rillington Place and Ali G Indahouse. He also runs a charity called The Rudolph Walker Foundation. This foundation helps young people who are not as lucky find jobs in the entertainment world. In 2021, he was given a high honor called the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
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Early Life and Moving to the UK
Rudolph Walker was born in San Juan, Trinidad and Tobago. He started acting when he was just eight years old in primary school plays. Later, he joined a theater group called Derek Walcott's Trinidad Theatre Workshop. He was the youngest member there.
When he was 20, in 1960, he decided to leave Trinidad to become a better actor. He first planned to go to the United States. However, another actor named Errol John convinced him to move to the United Kingdom instead. Errol John said that the acting training in the UK was much better.
Rudolph Walker married Lorna Ross in 1968. They had two children together before they later divorced.
Acting Career Highlights
Rudolph Walker's first TV role was as a policeman in a British show called The Wednesday Play in 1965. He became well-known for his funny roles. These included Love Thy Neighbour and The Thin Blue Line, which also starred Rowan Atkinson. He also appeared in the movie Ali G Indahouse.
He was one of the first black actors to be seen regularly on British television. He was very proud of his role in Love Thy Neighbour, which ran for many years from 1972 to 1976. He also appeared in the first episode of the TV show On the Buses in 1969. Later, he was in the first episode of Mr. Bean in 1990.
Since 2001, Rudolph Walker has played Patrick Trueman in the popular BBC show EastEnders. For this role, he was named best actor in 2002 at the Ethnic Multicultural Media Awards. He also appeared in a spin-off online series called EastEnders: E20. He also starred in a BBC comedy show called The Crouches from 2003 to 2005. In this show, he played the grandfather of a family from London.
Even though he has done a lot of TV work, he has also been in several movies. These include 10 Rillington Place and King Ralph. On stage, he has performed in many plays. He played the main character in Shakespeare's Othello and also played Caliban in The Tempest. He also lent his voice to the children's TV show Teletubbies. He narrated the beginning and end for the American version. He also voiced some of the "voice trumpets" for both the British and American shows.
In 1999, Rudolph Walker was the special guest on the TV show This Is Your Life. He was surprised on his 60th birthday at a cricket ground. A book for children about Rudolph Walker was published in 2008. In 2018, he received the Outstanding Achievement Award at The British Soap Awards.
Special Awards and Honours
Rudolph Walker has received important awards for his acting and charity work. In 2006, he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This award is given for great achievements in different fields. In 2020, he was given an even higher honor. He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). This was for his services to drama and his charity work.
The Rudolph Walker Foundation
On his 70th birthday, Rudolph Walker started The Rudolph Walker Foundation. This charity aims to help young people who might not have many chances. It helps them find opportunities and encouragement to start careers in entertainment.
The foundation also runs the Rudolph Walker's inter-School Drama Award (RWiSDA). Schools across London compete for this award. There is also Rudolph Walker's Role Model Award (RWRMA). This award goes to students who are outstanding. They might show good leadership, be a positive influence on their friends, or be a role model in their school.
See also
In Spanish: Rudolph Walker para niños
