Ronald Allen

Infobox actor
name = Ronald Allen


birthdate = birth date|1930|12|16|df=y – some sources quote 1934
location = Reading, Berkshire, England, UK
deathdate = death date and age|1991|6|18|1934|12|16|df=y
deathplace = London, England, UK
occupation = actor
homepage =
spouse =

Ronald Allen (16 December, 1930 – (some sources say 1934) in Reading, Berkshire — 18 June, 1991) was an established English character actor.

He studied at Leighton Park School in Reading and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, worked in repertory theatre, had a season at the Old Vic, London and made several films as well as achieving fame as a soap opera star.

After roles in the BBC soaps "United!" and "Compact" during the 1960s came his most famous role, in the long-running "Crossroads". Allen played David Hunter, who, together with Meg Mortimer, Tish Hope and Bernard Booth, was a shareholder of the Crossroads Motel. He appeared in the series from 1969 to 1985. He also twice appeared as a lead actor in the science fiction programme "Doctor Who", in the stories "The Dominators" and "The Ambassadors of Death".

Ronald Allen also made a number of guest appearances in "The Comic Strip Presents". In the first episode, "Five Go Mad in Dorset", which spoofed Enid Blyton's "The Famous Five" stories, he makes a surprise appearance as Uncle Quentin; deliberately sending up his staid image, he most memorably told The Famous Five, "Your Aunt Fanny is an unrelenting nymphomaniac – and I am a screaming homosexual." (The show's "TV Times" entry had listed him as "Surprise Guest"). Allen reprised the role in the sequel "Five Go Mad on Mescalin", and also appeared in "South Atlantic Raiders Part 2", "The Strike" and "Oxford", in addition to the feature film "The Supergrass". There was much comic mileage to be gained from Allen sending up his ultra conservative image. In a 1987 interview, he said that he was approached by a very intimidating-looking punk. He shook his hand and said "I thought you were really cool in "The Supergrass"." Then, as he was about to walk away, he turned back and said, almost apologetically, "I loved you in "Crossroads" too!"

Other roles included television's "The Adventures of Robin Hood", "Danger Man", "Bergerac" and "The Avengers".

Ronald Allen lived for many years with the actor Brian Hankins who also appeared in "Crossroads". He was also very close friends with his co-star and on-screen wife, Sue Lloyd. When the British media started to intrude into their private lives, they made it known they were a couple. After Allen was told that his cancer was terminal, they married. He died three months later, aged 56.

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Persondata
NAME=Allen, Ronald
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=English actor
DATE OF BIRTH=December 16, 1930
PLACE OF BIRTH=Reading, Berkshire
DATE OF DEATH=June 18, 1991
PLACE OF DEATH=London, England