Award-winning actor Ron Moody, best known for his roles in Oliver! and A Kid in King Arthur’s Court, has passed away at the age of 91. Moody had a lengthy career in both television and in film and is survived by his wife and six children.
Moody was training to become a sociologist at the London School of Economics but discovered he enjoyed appearing in theatrical shows and instead pursued a career in acting. His first film appearance was in 1959’s Follow a Star, but the following year he got his most notable starring role as Fagin in the musical Oliver!. He not only originated the role in the West End production, but continued the role in the 1968 film production and again in the 1984 Broadway revival. For his film performance he received the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy and was nominated for an Academy Award as well.
Moody is also known for being offered and ultimately declining the role of Doctor Who when it was presented to him in 1969. He also acted in a number of children’s programming such as The Animals of Farthing Wood, Telebugs, Into the Labyrinth, and the Discworld series. He continued acting in film and on stage into the 2000s.
