Ronald Howard was a British actor who appeared in many films and television shows, most notably as Sherlock Holmes in the 1954 series of the same name. He was also the son of the famous actor Leslie Howard, who starred in Gone with the Wind and other classics. But how did Ronald Howard die, and what was his cause of death?
Early Life and Career
Ronald Howard was born on April 7, 1918, in Norwood, London, England. He was raised by his mother Ruth Evelyn Martin and his father Leslie Howard, who was a renowned actor and director. Ronald attended Tonbridge School and Jesus College, Cambridge, where he studied journalism. He became a newspaper reporter for a while but decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and become an actor.
He got his first taste of acting when he appeared with his father in an uncredited bit part in ‘Pimpernel’ Smith (1941), a film directed by and starring his father. However, his part ended up on the cutting room floor. He served in the Royal Navy during World War II and gained more acting experience in regional theater and later on the London stage.
His official film debut was in While the Sun Shines (1947), and he went on to appear in some well-known films, such as The Queen of Spades (1949) and The Browning Version (1951). He also played Will Scarlet in an episode of The Adventures of Robin Hood (1950s) and starred as Sherlock Holmes in the 1954 television series, alongside Howard Marion-Crawford as Dr. Watson.
Later Years and Death
Ronald Howard continued to work mainly in British “B” films throughout the 1950s and 1960s, such as The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb (1964). He also had some guest roles in British and American television shows, such as Combat!, Cowboy in Africa, and Thriller. However, he never achieved the same level of fame or success as his father, who died in 1943 when his plane was shot down by German fighters.
In the 1970s, Howard retired from acting and ran an art gallery. In the 1980s, he wrote a biography of his father titled In Search of My Father: A Portrait of Leslie Howard. He married twice and had three children. He died on December 19, 1996, at the age of 78, in Bridport, Dorset, England. His cause of death was natural causes, according to IMDb. He was survived by his second wife Jean Millar and his children.
Legacy and Trivia
Ronald Howard is remembered as one of the actors who portrayed Sherlock Holmes on screen, along with Basil Rathbone, Jeremy Brett, Robert Downey Jr., Benedict Cumberbatch, and others. His version of Holmes was more light-hearted and humorous than some of the others, and he had a good chemistry with Marion-Crawford as Watson.
He was also related to other actors in his family. His uncle was Arthur Howard, his aunt was Irene Howard, and his cousin was Alan Howard. His son Chris Howard is also an actor who appeared in Jaws: The Revenge (1987) and other films.
Ronald Howard should not be confused with Ron Howard, the American actor and director who starred in Happy Days and directed Apollo 13 and A Beautiful Mind. Nor should he be confused with Ronald Ray Howard, an American murderer who was executed by lethal injection in Texas in 2005 for killing a state trooper.
Ronald Howard was a talented actor who had a long and varied career in film and television. He was also a devoted son who honored his father’s legacy with his biography. He died peacefully at his home in England after living a full life.
