classically trained character actor who specialized in the portrayal of prominent historical authority figures or crusty academics. He was born in Chester, England, to lecturer Eric Pickup and his wife Daisy (ne Williams). Sign in to customize your TV listings. Ronald Pickup, an actor known for his roles in "The Crown," "Darkest Hour" and "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel," has died. Ronald Pickup, the British actor best known for his roles in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel films and The Crown, died on Feb. 24.He was 80. Ronald Pickup, who has died aged 80, was an actor so luminous, so transparent, that you saw straight through him to the character he played, and out the other side. Ronald Pickup dead at 80 Best Exotic Marigold Hotel star dies after long illness. The actor's agent told the BBC that Pickup, known for his roles in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Darkest Hour, and The Crown, had died following "a long illness.". Join or Sign In. His first major part came in 1964 when he starred in Doctor Who episode The Tyrant Of France as a He was active in television, film, and theatre, beginning with a 1964 appearance in Doctor Who. Doctor Who: The Sands of Life Buy The Sands of Life from Big Finish. Actor Ronald Pickup, who is best known for his roles in the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel films and The Crown, has died aged 80. Ronald Pickup Obituary . Ronald Pickup, who has died aged 80, was an actor so luminous, so transparent, that you saw straight through him to the character he played, and out the other side. A legendary English actor, Ronald Pickup of Chester, United Kingdom, has sadly passed away on 24th, of February, 2021, at the age of 80, after he lost his courageous battle to long illness, causing so much heartbreak and agony to the beloved family. Ronald Pickup, the prolific British actor whose break came in an early episode of Doctor Who, has passed away at the age of 80.. All other details concerning this news will be updated upon confirmation. I couldnt agree more. Ronald Pickup, Actor: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Ronald Alfred Pickup (7 June 1940 24 February 2021) was an English actor. Meanwhile, over on The Fourth Doctor Adventures, the Doctor, Romana and K9 find themselves caught between a mass of aliens heading for Earth, and Cuthbert the powerful head of the Conglomerate, in The Sands of Life. Ronald Pickup was a highly respected, incisive. Continue with Facebook Continue with email. He was 80. His other major screen roles included Prince Yakimov in Fortunes of War (1987) and Norman in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012).