Ralph Truman, a renowned British character player, made a significant impact in the world of radio acting, with a remarkable career spanning over 5,000 broadcasts. Born in London at the turn of the century, Truman's film career was notable, although less prominent than his extensive work in radio.
Initially, Truman began his career on the stage, having just completed a run of "Josef Suss" in 1930. He then transitioned to films, making his unbilled debut in the early talkie "Farewell to Love" (1931). Throughout the 1930s, Truman consistently appeared in "B" films, including "The Bells" (1931),"That's My Uncle" (1935),"The Lad" (1935),"Mr. Cohen Takes a Walk" (1935),"Under the Red Robe" (1937),and "Dinner at the Ritz" (1937).
In the 1940s, Truman found himself in more prominent films, such as his role as Mountjoy in Laurence Olivier's acclaimed Shakespearean piece "Henry V" (1944). With his distinctive balding head and hook-nosed features, Truman was a natural fit for period settings. He played the nefarious Monks in "Oliver Twist" (1948) and was part of the large-scale production in "Christopher Columbus" (1949) and "Treasure Island" (1950),delivering an animated performance as George Merry in the latter.
Married to fellow radio artist Ellis Powell, Truman was best known in his later years for playing men of high ranking or position, including lords, captains, admirals, governors, and more. After appearing in two final period epics, "Nicholas and Alexandra" (1971) and "Lady Caroline Lamb" (1972),Truman retired from acting. He passed away a few years later, leaving behind a legacy as a talented and dedicated character player.
