Ronald Howard

Born:  April 7th, 1918, London.
Died:  December 19th, 1996.

  Ronald Howard, a British actor and the son of famed actor Leslie Howard, is primarily known to American audiences for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in the eponymous 1954-1955 weekly television series produced by Sheldon Reynolds.  Sherlock Holmes, like much 1950's television fare, may have been a bit flaky at times, with scripts that almost seemed to parody the Great Detective, but Howard was wonderful in the lead role.  The series, set in London, was actually shot in France.  This helps to explain why so many of the actors playing bit parts have French accents, and why, in one memorable episode, an Army facility supposedly in London is being guarded by a man in what is clearly a French uniform.

Thirty-nine episodes were filmed.  The shows are available on DVD, from a few different manufacturers.  When purchasing, take a look at what episodes are in which set, to avoid duplication.

Ronald Howard's first bit of acting was in Pimpernel Smith (1941), a movie which starred his father.  His official film debut was in 1947, in While the Sun Shines.

Howard's other television series was the 1967 Cowboy in Africa.  He played the "Wing Commander," and acted alongside Chuck Connors.

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