Rudolph Walker OBE

Rudolph Walker OBE

Rudolph Malcolm Walker was born on September 28, 1939 in Trinidad, British West Indies. Walker broke many barriers as a performer, working extensively in theatre and becoming the first black person to star in a major television series. Walker, who arrived in Britain in 1960, established himself as a performer by working in repertory theatres across the country in the 1960s including the Mermaid Theatre, Nottingham Playhouse and the Malvern Theatre. He got his big break in 1972 when he was cast as the main character in the television series, Love Thy Neighbour. Although the show was considered controversial for its use of racist language, it was a popular series that was unprecedented on television at the time. Walker continued to work in theatre, performing at the Tricycle, the Lyric Hammersmith, the Royal Court and the Young Vic. He also appears regularly on the BBC television soap opera, Eastenders.

westindians

1939-09-28

Person

6240

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Rudolph

Walker