Origins & Early Life

Ronald Charles Colman (9 February 1891 – 19 May 1958) was an English actor who started his career in theatre and silent film in his native country, then emigrated to the United States, where he had a highly successful Hollywood film career. Colman starred in silent films and successfully transitioned to sound, aided by his distinctive, pleasing voice. He was most popular during the 1930s and 1940s. Colman received Oscar nominations for Bulldog Drummond (1929), Condemned (1929), and Random Harvest (1942).

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He starred in several classic films, including A Tale of Two Cities (1935), Lost Horizon (1937), and The Prisoner of Zenda (1937). Colman also played the starring role in the Technicolor classic Kismet (1944), with Marlene Dietrich. In 1947, he won an Academy Award for Best Actor and Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his performance in the film A Double Life. Colman received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in motion pictures and later was awarded a second star for his television work. Ronald Charles Colman was born on 9 February 1891 at Woodville, 156 Sandycombe Road (renamed and renumbered 7 Broomfield Road), in Richmond, Surrey, England, the...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Antonio Gramsci — Contemporary (Born in 1891) (1891): Italian Marxist philosopher known for his theory of cultural hegemony.
• Arthur Rimbaud — Contemporary (Died in 1891) (1891): Transgressive French poet whose work profoundly influenced modern literature and surrealism.
• B. R. Ambedkar — Contemporary (Born in 1891) (1891): Pioneering jurist, economist, and social reformer who shaped modern India.
• Alec Baldwin — Contemporary (Born in 1958) (1958): Versatile American actor known for dramatic depth and comedic timing.
• Andie MacDowell — Contemporary (Born in 1958) (1958): Acclaimed American actress and model known for romantic and dramatic roles.
• Andre Geim — Contemporary (Born in 1958) (1958): Pioneering physicist known for groundbreaking work on graphene and Nobel laureate.
• Adolf Galland — Shared historical date (02-09 · Died) (1996): German Luftwaffe general and celebrated flying ace of World War II.
• Adolph Menzel — Shared historical date (02-09 · Died) (1905): Pioneering German Realist master, celebrated for his detailed etchings and genre scenes.
• Abraham Pais — Shared historical date (05-19 · Born) (1918): Pioneering physicist and acclaimed science historian of modern physics.
• Alcuin — Shared historical date (05-19 · Died) (804): Leading scholar of the Carolingian Renaissance, influential teacher and clergyman.
• 1891 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1891
• February 9 (02-09) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 9
• 1958 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1958
• May 19 (05-19) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on May 19