Ronald William Lacey (28 September 1935 – 15 May 1991) was an English actor. He made numerous television and film appearances over a 30-year period and is perhaps best remembered for his roles as Harris in Porridge, Gestapo agent Major Arnold Ernst Toht in Raiders of the Lost Ark and the Bishop of Bath and Wells in Blackadder II.

Biography

Lacey was born in Harrow, London. He was known for his generosity and warmth to fans, but equally known in the London theatre scene for his smoking and drinking habits. Often the actor was noted among the gossip pages.

Lacey was twice married. Originally wed to actress Mela White, he became the father of two children, the actors Rebecca and Jonathan Lacey in the 1960s. After a turbulent divorce, he remarried in 1972. Joanna Baker, his second wife, gave birth to his third child, Matthew. His daughter, Rebecca, became a television success on the BBC series Casualty. His son Matthew is the godson of Hammer Films' Barbara Shelley.

He was of Welsh descent and he owned a family cottage in Pontypool, which was passed on to his three children after his death. The family would spend their holidays together at the cottage.

He had his lower intestines removed in his early twenties and as a result had to have a colostomy bag fitted. Over the years he was refused certain film roles in other countries at his doctor's request. He gained and lost weight over the last 10 years of his life, as he was ill with cancer. He finally succumbed to the cancer when it spread to his liver.

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