Ronald Whelan

Ronald Albert Whelan (2 November 1905–1965) (real name Ronald Waxman ) was an Australian actor, assistant director and unit manager. He was the son of actor Albert Whelan.

Whelan alternated between England and Australia. He established himself Britain as an actor and dancer in revues and musical comedies. He alsp appeared in revues in Australia such as Snap (1924).

A 1937 article claimed Whelan "has appeared in about 100 British films, yet he has not had a part in which he could use natural manner. He has played Jewish, Scottish, Irish, Spanish, Italian, German, and gangster (American) parts, and has always spoken broken English or dialect."

Whelan returned to Australia in 1933. In the 1930s Whelan regularly worked for Cinesound Productions as an actor (usually in villainous roles) and assistant director. In December 1935 he was involved in a car accident.

He moved to the US and worked steadily as a character actor. He died in Los Angeles in 1965.

Credits

Snap (1925) - stage revue - actor Her Past (1934) - stage play - actor Mother of Pear (1934) - stage play, actor Thoroughbred (1936) - film - actor, assistant director Tall Timbers (1936) - film - assistant director, actor Orphan of the Wilderness (1936) - film - assistant director, actor It Isn't Done (1937) - film - actor Lovers and Luggers (1937) - film - assistant director, actor The Broken Melody - film - actor, assistant director Mr Chedworth Steps Out (1938) - film - assistant director Dad and Dave Come to Town (1938) - film - assistant director Gone to the Dogs (1939) - film - actor, assistant director Ants in His Pants (1939) - film - assistant director, actor Dad Rudd, M.P. (1940) - film - assistant director, actor Forty Thousand Horsemen (1940) - film - assistant director Sporting Blood (1945) - radio serial - actor Eureka Stockade (1949) - film - production manager, actor Chips (1951) - radio serial - actor Kangaroo (1952) - film - actor I Found Joe Barton (1953) - TV pilot - actor Return to Paradise (1953) - film - assistant director Captain Thunderbolt (1953) - film - actor With Cain Go Wander (1953) - radio play - actor Eternal Night (1954) - stage play - actor The Strong Are Lonely (1956) - radio play - actor The Shiralee (1957) - film - actor Fountains Beyond (1957) - radio play - actor Summer of the Seventeenth Doll (1959) - film - production manager Whiplash (1960) - TV series - unit manager No Man is an Island (1962) - film - unit manager Drums of Africa (1963) - film - actor I Spy (1965) - TV series - actor Burke's Law (1965) - TV series - actor