Ron Randell

Ronald Egan Randell (8 October 1918 – 11 June 2005) was an Australian-born American film character actor. He was born in Sydney, New South Wales, and died in Los Angeles, California.

Randell started his career as a stage and radio performer in his teens.

He appeared as the lead in ""Smithy"", a biographical movie about the pioneering Australian aviator Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, who made the first flight across the Pacific (from the United States to Australia) in 1928. (The film was released as "Pacific Adventure" in the United States and as "Southern Cross" in the United Kingdom). Ron Randell's role in the movie led to a Hollywood contract. His movies included "Kiss Me, Kate" (as Cole Porter), "I Am a Camera", "King of Kings", "The She-Creature" and "The Longest Day". His performance as the Roman centurion Lucius in "King of Kings", who, in the film, defends Christ at his trial as a sort of impromptu legal counsel, and presumably becomes converted to Christianity after the Crucifixion, was arguably his best.

From October 1954 through December 1955, Randell hosted the ABC anthology series "The Vise". He guest starred on "Bewitched", 1964.

Ron Randell's Broadway credits include "School for Scandal" (1995), "Duet for One" (1981), "Bent" (1979), "Mrs. Warren's Profession" (1976), "Butley" (1972), "The World of Suzie Wong" (1958) and "Candida" (1952).

He married Laya Raki in 1958 and they remained together until his death following a stroke aged 86.

External links

* [http://legacy.com/legacy.asp?Page=APStory&Id=9687 Ron Randell] - Legacy.com
* [http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117924664?categoryid=25&cs=1 Ron Randell] - Variety.com
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0709772 Ron Randell at IMDb]