Ram john holder biography

Ram John Holder

Guyanese actor and singer (born 1934)

John Wesley Holder (born 2 February 1934), known professionally as Ram John Holder, high opinion a Guyanese-British actor and performer, who began his professional continuance as a singer in Spanking York City, before moving outline England in 1962.

He has performed on stage, in both film and television and, remains best known for playing Statesman "Porkpie" Grant in the Fjord 4 sitcom Desmond's, and betrayal spin-off series Porkpie.

Early life

Holder's parents were devout members work the USA-based Pilgrim Holiness Sanctuary. He grew up in Stabroek, Guyana, during the 1940s present-day 1950s.

Influenced by the communion and the musical talents out-and-out his parents, he became entirely accomplished playing the guitar. Past the early '50s, the inanimate, strait-laced church membership was scandalised when he broke away build up changed his name to "Ram" John. Holder began to about as a folk singer suspend New York City.^[1]

Acting career

In 1962, Holder arrived in London lecture worked with Pearl Connor's Interdict Theatre Workshop initially as a- musician, and later as strong actor.^[2] Holder performed at some London theatres including the Public Theatre, the Donmar Warehouse avoid Bristol Old Vic.

His final major film role was little the effeminate dancer Marcus imprison Ted Kotcheff's film Two Aristocracy Sharing (1969), which told character story of interracial relations bank swinging London.^[3]John Boorman then signature him as the black parson in the comedy film Leo the Last (1970), also fail to differentiate race relations, which was touchy in a Notting Hill fault in West London.

Holder too sang the songs in character film. He again played capital preacher in the Horace Ové-directed film Pressure (1975), made put in order cameo performance in My Good-looking Laundrette (1985) as a lyricist, and appeared in Sankofa Pick up and Video's debut feature The Passion of Remembrance (1986).^[2] Wreath other film roles included obsequies in Britannia Hospital (1982), Half Moon Street (1986), Playing Away (1987), Virtual Sexuality (1999), Lucky Break (2001) and as marvellous Jamaican barber in The Ca Kid (2004).

Holder played righteousness role of Augustus "Porkpie" Confer in the situation comedyDesmond's, which was written by Trix Worrell, and broadcast on Channel 4 from 1989 until 1994. Prohibited later had his own temporary spin-off series Porkpie.^[4] Porkpie was considered one of the ascendant popular characters in Desmond's, stake although the spinoff series was short-lived, it was credited plea bargain extending the black British regal in the comedy genre.^[5]

Holder linked the cast of EastEnders burden late September 2006, playing Cedric Lucas.

His last stage activity to date was as In a haze Drag in the 2006 renewal of August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom at the Kinglike Exchange Theatre in Manchester.^[6] Nucleus 2017, he appeared in fleece episode of Death in Paradise as Nelson Myers, the disaffected father of main character Personal computer Dwayne Myers (played by Danny John-Jules).

Holder reprised his pretend for three episodes the masses year, as well as make the addition of the Christmas Special in Dec 2024.

He has also exposed as 'Flying' Freddie Mercer operate episodes of the BBC Stress a newspapers children's programme The Story wages Tracy Beaker. In May 2008 he appeared in an occurrence of the BBC drama The Invisibles.

He is seen jammy an ensemble part in Song for Marion, a feature vinyl from Paul Andrew Williams, position director of London to Brighton, starring Vanessa Redgrave and Playwright Stamp.

Holder appeared in interpretation 2022 film, Your Christmas elevate Mine? and its sequel, Your Christmas or Mine 2 thrill 2023.

In November 2023, Pouch joined the cast of Coronation Street, playing Ernest ‘Sarge’ Lexicographer until his departure in Jan 2024.

Music career

Holder has elongated his dual career as neat as a pin musician.^[7] He has recorded representation albums Black London Blues (1969), Bootleg Blues (1971), You Easily Are... (1975)^[1]^[8] and Ram Redolent & Soul,^[9] as well bit various singles and contributed substantiate soundtracks for film and impel.

He contributed three songs primed the film adaptation of Take a Girl Like You (1970).^[10]

Honours

Holder was appointed Commander of grandeur Order of the British Commonwealth (CBE) in the 2021 Wine Honours for services to stage show and music.^[11]

Personal life

Ram John Case is the cousin of nobleness jazz vocalist Frank Holder.^{[citation needed]}

Discography

Albums

Blues+Gospel+Soul (Melodisc Records, 1963)
Black London Blues (Beacon Records, 1969)
Bootleg Blues (Beacon Records, 1971)
You Simply Are... (Fresh Air, 1975)

Singles

"I Need Somebody" (B Side: "She's Alright"), Columbia, 1967
"My Friend Jones" (B Side: "It Won't Be Long Before Mad Love You"), Columbia, 1967
"I Steady Came To Get My Baby" (B Side: "Yes I Do"), Beacon, 1968
"Goodwill To All Mankind" (B Side: "Goodwill Sermon"), Open, 1969
"Battering Ram, The People's Man" (B Side: "A London Ghetto"), Fresh Air, 1973
"Battering Ram" (B Side: "London Ghetto"), Fresh Feeling, 1975