Ralph du Vergier Truman (7 May 1900 – 15 October 1977) was an English actor, usually cast as either a villain or an authority figure. He possessed a distinguished speaking voice. He was born in

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe ...

. Truman originally studied at the

Royal College of Music The Royal College of Music is a music school, conservatoire established by royal charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, UK. It offers training from the Undergraduate education, undergraduate to the Doctorate, doctoral level in a ...

and was a regular performer on the radio from 1925, appearing in an estimated 5,000 broadcasts. His best-remembered film roles include

Tigellinus Ofonius Tigellinus (c. 10 – 69) was a prefect of the Roman imperial bodyguard, known as the Praetorian Guard, from 62 until 68, during the reign of emperor Nero. Tigellinus gained imperial favour through his acquaintance wi ...

in MGM's ''

Quo Vadis ''Quō vādis?'' (, ) is a Latin phrase meaning "Where are you marching?". It is also commonly translated as "Where are you going?" or, poetically, "Whither goest thou?" The phrase originates from the Christian tradition regarding Saint Pet ...

'' (1951), the French herald Mountjoy in

Laurence Olivier Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier (; 22 May 1907 – 11 July 1989) was an English actor and director who, along with his contemporaries Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud, was one of a trio of male actors who dominated the British stage o ...

's film '' Henry V'' (1944), the evil

Monks A monk (, from el, μοναχός, ''monachos'', "single, solitary" via Latin ) is a person who practices religious asceticism by monastic living, either alone or with any number of other monks. A monk may be a person who decides to dedica ...

David Lean Sir David Lean (25 March 190816 April 1991) was an English film director, producer, screenwriter and editor. Widely considered one of the most important figures in British cinema, Lean directed the large-scale epics '' The Bridge on the Rive ...

's ''

Oliver Twist ''Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy's Progress'', Charles Dickens's second novel, was published as a serial from 1837 to 1839, and as a three-volume book in 1838. Born in a workhouse, the orphan Oliver Twist is bound into apprenticeship with ...

'' (1948), George Merry in the

Walt Disney Walter Elias Disney (; December 5, 1901December 15, 1966) was an American animator, film producer and entrepreneur. A pioneer of the American animation industry, he introduced several developments in the production of cartoons. As a film p ...

version of ''

Treasure Island ''Treasure Island'' (originally titled ''The Sea Cook: A Story for Boys''Hammond, J. R. 1984. "Treasure Island." In ''A Robert Louis Stevenson Companion'', Palgrave Macmillan Literary Companions. London: Palgrave Macmillan. .) is an adventure n ...

'' (1950), and the Police Inspector in

Alfred Hitchcock Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock (13 August 1899 – 29 April 1980) was an English filmmaker. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of cinema. In a career spanning six decades, he directed over 50 featur ...

's '' The Man Who Knew Too Much'' (1956). He also appeared in episodes of several TV series, including ''

Danger Man ''Danger Man'' (retitled ''Secret Agent'' in the United States for the revived series, and ''Destination Danger'' and ''John Drake'' in other overseas markets) is a British television series that was broadcast between 1960 and 1962, and again b ...

''. He died 15 October 1977 in

Ipswich Ipswich () is a port town and borough in Suffolk, England, of which it is the county town. The town is located in East Anglia about away from the mouth of the River Orwell and the North Sea. Ipswich is both on the Great Eastern Main Line r ...

Suffolk Suffolk () is a ceremonial county of England in East Anglia. It borders Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south; the North Sea lies to the east. The county town is Ipswich; other important towns include L ...

aged 77.

Selected filmography

* '' City of Song'' (1931) (uncredited) * '' The Bells'' (1931) as Blacksmith * ''

The Shadow The Shadow is a fictional character created by magazine publishers Street & Smith and writer Walter B. Gibson. Originally created to be a mysterious radio show narrator, and developed into a distinct literary character in 1931 by writer Walter ...

'' (1933) as Elliot * '' The Perfect Flaw'' (1934) as Richard Drexel * ''

Lieut. Daring R.N. ''Lieutenant Daring R.N.'' is a 1935 British adventure film directed by Reginald Denham and starring Hugh Williams, Geraldine Fitzgerald and Frederick Lloyd. It was made by Butcher's Film Service at Cricklewood Studios. It revived a popular ...

'' (1935) as Mung * ''

D'Ye Ken John Peel? ''D'Ye Ken John Peel?'' (released in America as ''Captain Moonlight'') is a 1935 British adventure film directed by Henry Edwards and starring John Garrick, Winifred Shotter and Stanley Holloway. It was made at Julius Hagen's Twickenham St ...

'' (1935) as 1st Ruffian Footman * '' The Lad'' (1935) as O'Shea (uncredited) * '' Three Witnesses'' (1935) as Bellman * '' That's My Uncle'' (1935) as Monty * '' The Case of Gabriel Perry'' (1935) as Inspector White * '' The Silent Passenger'' (1935) as Saunders * '' Jubilee Window'' (1935) as Dan Stevens * '' Father O'Flynn'' (1935) as Fawcett * '' Late Extra'' (1935) as Minor Role (uncredited) * '' Captain Bill'' (1936) as Red * ''

Mr. Cohen Takes a Walk ''Mr. Cohen Takes a Walk'', also known as ''Father Takes a Walk'', is a 1935 British comedy film directed by William Beaudine, starring Paul Graetz, Violet Farebrother, and Chili Bouchier, and based on a novel by Mary Roberts Rinehart. This was ...

'' (1936) as Sam Cohen * '' The Crimson Circle'' (1936) as Lawrence Fuller * '' The Marriage of Corbal'' (1936) as Charles * '' The Gay Adventure'' (1936) as Buck * '' East Meets West'' (1936) as Abdul * '' Fire Over England'' (1937) as Spanish Inquisition Representative (uncredited) * '' Secret Lives'' (1937) as Prison Guard (uncredited) * '' The Lilac Domino'' (1937) as Doorman (uncredited) * '' Under the Red Robe'' (1937) as Captain at Castle * '' Silver Blaze'' (1937) as Bert Prince * '' Change for a Sovereign'' (1937) as Archduke Paul * ''

Dinner at the Ritz ''Dinner at the Ritz'' is a 1937 British mystery romance film directed by Harold D. Schuster and starring David Niven, Annabella, and Paul Lukas. It was produced by the British branch of 20th Century Fox, and shot at Denham Studios. Synopsi ...

'' (1937) as Auctioneer * '' It's a Grand Old World'' (1937) as Banks * '' South Riding'' (1938) as Nursing Home Doctor (uncredited) * '' The Drum'' (1938) as Dinner Guest (uncredited) * '' The Challenge'' (1938) as Giordano * '' Many Tanks Mr. Atkins'' (1938) as Zanner * ''

Life of St. Paul ''Life of St. Paul'' is a series of five short films about Paul the Apostle produced by G.H.W. Productions. They were released in 1938. They were shot at Pinewood Studios and Nettlefold Studios in England England is a country that is part ...

'' (1938) as Orderly * ''

The Outsider The Outsider may refer to: Film * ''The Outsider'' (1917 film), an American film directed by William C. Dowlan * ''The Outsider'' (1926 film), an American film directed by Rowland V. Lee * ''The Outsider'' (1931 film), a film starring Joan Barr ...

'' (1939) as Sir Nathan Israel * '' Black Eyes'' (1939) as Diner * ''

The Saint in London ''The Saint in London'' is a 1939 British crime film, the third of eight films in RKO's film series featuring the adventures of Simon Templar, alias "The Saint". It stars George Sanders as Templar and was produced by William Sistrom. Joh ...

'' (1939) as Kussella * '' Just like a Woman'' (1939) as Maharajah * '' The Seventh Survivor'' (1942) as Captain * ''

Sabotage at Sea ''Sabotage at Sea'' is a 1942 British, black-and-white, drama, mystery, war film, directed by Leslie S. Hiscott and starring Jane Carr, Margaretta Scott, David Hutcheson and Ronald Shiner as Ernie the Cook. It was produced by British Na ...

'' (1942) as Horace Chandler * ''

The Butler's Dilemma ''The Butler's Dilemma'' is a 1943 black-and-white British comedy film, directed by Leslie S. Hiscott and starring Richard Hearne in a dual role as Rodney Playfair and a Butler called Chapman, Ronald Shiner as Ernie, Ian Fleming, Francis L. Sull ...

'' (1943) as Bishop * '' Henry V'' (1944) as Mountjoy, The French Herald * '' Lisbon Story'' (1946) as Police Commissionaire * '' Beware of Pity'' (1946) as Maj. Sandor Balinkay * ''

The Laughing Lady ''The Laughing Lady'' is a 1946 British Technicolor musical drama film directed by Paul L. Stein and starring Anne Ziegler, Webster Booth and Francis L. Sullivan. Based on a play by Ingram D'Abbes, its plot follows a young aristocrat who ma ...

'' (1946) as Lord Mandeville * '' Woman to Woman'' (1947) as Colonel * '' Dusty Bates'' (1947) as Merryvale * ''

Mrs. Fitzherbert Maria Anne Fitzherbert (''née'' Smythe, previously Weld; 26 July 1756 – 27 March 1837) was a longtime companion of George, Prince of Wales (later King George IV of the United Kingdom). In 1785, they secretly contracted a marriage that was ...

'' (1947) as Richard Brinsley Sheridan * ''

'' (1948) as Monks * '' Mr. Perrin and Mr. Traill'' (1948) as Comber * '' Eureka Stockade'' (1949) as Gov. Hotham * ''

Christopher Columbus Christopher Columbus * lij, Cristoffa C(or)ombo * es, link=no, Cristóbal Colón * pt, Cristóvão Colombo * ca, Cristòfor (or ) * la, Christophorus Columbus. (; born between 25 August and 31 October 1451, died 20 May 1506) was a ...

'' (1949) as Captain * '' The Interrupted Journey'' (1949) as Inspector Waterson * ''

The Reluctant Widow ''The Reluctant Widow'' is a 1946 Regency romance Regency romances are a subgenre of romance novels set during the period of the British Regency (1811–1820) or early 19th century. Rather than simply being versions of contemporary romance sto ...

'' (1950) as Scowler * ''

'' (1950) as George Merry * ''

'' (1951) as Tigellinus * ''

The Golden Coach ''The Golden Coach'' (french: Le Carrosse d'or; it, La carrozza d'oro) is a 1952 film directed by Jean Renoir that tells the story of a '' commedia dell'arte'' troupe in 18th-century Peru. The screenplay was written by Renoir, Jack Kirkland, Re ...

'' (1952) as Duc de Castro * '' Malta Story'' (1953) as Vice Adm Willie Banks * '' The Master of Ballantrae'' (1953) as Maj. Clarendon * ''

Knights of the Round Table The Knights of the Round Table ( cy, Marchogion y Ford Gron, kw, Marghekyon an Moos Krenn, br, Marc'hegien an Daol Grenn) are the knights of the fellowship of King Arthur in the literary cycle of the Matter of Britain. First appearing in li ...

'' (1953) as King Marr (uncredited) * ''

Beau Brummell George Bryan "Beau" Brummell (7 June 1778 – 30 March 1840) was an important figure in Regency England and, for many years, the arbiter of men's fashion. At one time, he was a close friend of the Prince Regent, the future King George IV, bu ...

'' (1954) as Sir Ralph Sidley * '' The Night My Number Came Up'' (1955) as Wainwright * '' The Ship That Died of Shame'' (1955) as Sir Richard * ''

Tons of Trouble ''Tons of Trouble'' is a 1956 black and white British comedy film directed by Leslie S. Hiscott and starring Richard Hearne, William Hartnell and Austin Trevor. Plot The eccentric caretaker of a block of flats, Mr. Pastry (Richard Hearne), is i ...

'' (1956) as Inspector Bridger * '' The Black Tent'' (1956) as Maj. Croft * '' The Man Who Knew Too Much'' (1956) as Inspector Buchanan * '' Wicked as They Come'' (1956) as John Dowling * '' The Long Arm'' (1956) as Colonel Blenkinsop * '' The Silken Affair'' (1956) as Minor Role (uncredited) * ''

The Good Companions ''The Good Companions'' is a novel by the English author J. B. Priestley. Written in 1929, it follows the fortunes of a concert party on a tour of England. It is Priestley's most famous novel and established him as a national figure. It wo ...

'' (1957) as Memsford * '' Yangtse Incident: The Story of H.M.S. Amethyst'' (1957) as Vice-Admiral * '' The Spaniard's Curse'' (1958) as Sir Robert Wyvern * ''

Beyond This Place Beyond This Place may refer to: * Beyond This Place (novel), a 1950 novel by A. J. Cronin * Beyond This Place (1959 film), a British crime mystery film based on the novel * Beyond This Place (2010 film), a documentary film * Beyond This Place (DuPo ...

'' (1959) as Sir Matthew Sprott * ''

Ben-Hur Ben-Hur or Ben Hur may refer to: Fiction *'' Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ'', an 1880 novel by American general and author Lew Wallace ** ''Ben-Hur'' (play), a play that debuted on Broadway in 1899 ** ''Ben Hur'' (1907 film), a one-reel silent ...

'' (1959) as Aide to Tiberius (uncredited) * '' Under Ten Flags'' (1960) as Admiral Benson * ''

Exodus Exodus or the Exodus may refer to: Religion * Book of Exodus, second book of the Hebrew Torah and the Christian Bible * The Exodus, the biblical story of the migration of the ancient Israelites from Egypt into Canaan Historical events * Exo ...

'' (1960) as Colonel * '' El Cid'' (1961) as King Ferdinand * ''

Nicholas and Alexandra ''Nicholas and Alexandra'' is a 1971 British epic historical drama film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, from a screenplay written by James Goldman and Edward Bond, based on Robert K. Massie's 1967 book of the same name, which is a partia ...

'' (1971) as Rodzianko * '' Lady Caroline Lamb'' (1972) as Admiral

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Truman, Ralph 1900 births 1977 deaths English male stage actors English male film actors English male television actors English male radio actors Male actors from London 20th-century English male actors