Roy Rich

Roy Rich (16 September 1911 – 24 March 1970)[1] was a British broadcaster and film and theatre director.

Life and career

Rich was born in Plymouth, Devon, the son of a music hall comedian. Educated at Dulwich College, southeast London, Rich became involved in acting from an early age, making his theatrical debut in 1923. He was subsequently involved in theatre for several years.[1]

He was a pioneering broadcaster for the BBC, as one of the first radio DJs.[2] During the Second World War, he was standing in as a news announcer when Broadcasting House was hit by a bomb during the 9pm news broadcast.[3] He presented Children Calling Home, a series of wartime radio broadcasts featuring conversations between evacuees and their parents.[4] In 1964, he became head of BBC Light Entertainments (Sound), a post which he held until his retirement in 1967.[2]

Death

Rich died from cancer[5] in hospital in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1970, aged 58.[2] He was married to actress Brenda Bruce; they had twin daughters.[6]

Film and television credits

Theatre credits

References
  1. Roy Rich at the British Film Institute. Accessed 10 April 2014.
  2. "Obituary: Mr Roy Rich". The Times. 25 March 1970.
  3. "Roy Rich, former radio star". The Glasgow Herald. 25 March 1970.
  4. "Children's Two-Way Radio Talks". Sydney Morning Herald. 20 May 1941.
  5. "Brenda Bruce - Obituary". The Times. 22 February 1996.
  6. Donaldson, Anne (30 October 1968). "Merry Wives of Windsor off-stage". The Glasgow Herald.
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