Ray Donn
Born
Raphael Siratsky

(1937-08-07)7 August 1937
Poplar, London, England
Occupations
Years active
  • Business: 1961–1997
  • Acting: 1997–present
Spouse
Patricia Ann Donn
​
(m. 1959)​
Children2
WebsiteOfficial website

Ray Donn (7 August 1937, in Poplar, East London, England) was an English entrepreneur and businessman-turned-actor.[1][2][3][4]

Raphael Siratsky (Ray Donn) born London's East End 7 August 1937 eldest of four children his single mother Rose Siratsky (aka Donn) 1906–1979 (Seamstress) born Wapping 26 October 1906. Mothers parents, Israel (1878–1933) & Hilda Siratsky (1885–1950) Jewish/Polish emigrants (1905), they had 8 children (6 girls 2 boys) & settled in Upper North Street Poplar East London trading as a barber.

Businessman

Donn began his professional life in 1961 and spent 36 years running pubs, clubs and hotels, such as the Pegasus from 1961 to 1968,[5] the Goat from 1968 to 1970,[6] the Valley Club from 1970 to 1984,[7] and Syndale Park Motel from 1984 to 1997.

In addition, from 1970 to 1985, he directed Ray Donn (Leisure) Ltd. as an entertainment and management agency,[7] booking artists for clubs, theatre and TV clients, with clients at the time including Jim Bowen and Bobby Davro.

From 1966 to 1980 he produced and directed the annual Publand Variety Show featuring the top performers from pub and club entertainment, presenting the show at major London theatres and concluding at the London Palladium. Proceeds from the shows going to the Entertainment Artistes' Benevolent Fund.[6]

Service

Donn served on the management committee of the Entertainment Artistes' Benevolent Fund for 35 years from 1974 to 2009. The fund provides and maintains Brinsworth House as a residential home for retired members of the entertainment profession and/or their dependents. Brinsworth House is itself supported by income from the proceeds of the annual Royal Variety Performance and other fund-raising events.[8] Donn has been presented to the Queen, the Queen Mother and Prince Charles on numerous occasions in the capacity of Honorable Treasurer for the fund,[9][10] a position he held for the 13 years from 1995 to 2008.

Ray Donn was initiated into Chelsea Lodge No.3098 on 19 September 1997,[9] and installed as 100th Master, May 2004.[11][12]

He was also a founder member and first secretary of the Comedians' Golfing Society from 1978 to 1984,[13] and since 1997 has been Honorary Treasurer of the Vaudeville Golfing Society, a fraternity of professional entertainers.[14]

2011 Hon.Member Concert Artistes Association

Acting

Donn took early retirement from the trade in 1997 and began a new career as a film extra (or supporting artist).[1][4] His first appearance was in the film Notting Hill.[2] Since then he has appeared in many films and television productions, as well as a David Suchet (Hercule Poirot) body double.[3]

Partial filmography

Donn has had a large number of uncredited roles in both film and episodic television. Credited roles include:

As David Suchet stunt double

Television

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Sam Delaney (2 April 2005). "Extra helping". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  2. 1 2 Simon Evans (March 2003). "Become a Film and Television Extra". Choice. btinternet.com. Archived from the original on 29 August 2008. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  3. 1 2 Simon Evans (March 2003). "How to Become a Movie Extra". Viva Magazine. btinternet.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2008. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  4. 1 2 Lottie Moggach (25 November 2004). "Extras! Extras! Read all about them..." Sunday Times. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  5. ↑ Robert Perez (27 February 1966). "TIN-PAN ALLEY PUB CRAWL; British Music Hall Bars Retain Their Appeal in Changing World". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  6. 1 2 "Publand Variety Show, 1966 – 1980". Publand Variety Show. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  7. 1 2 "Valey records". Valley. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  8. ↑ "The Show Must Go on at Brinsworth House". Surrey Life Magazine. November 2008.
  9. 1 2 "That's Entertainment". MQ Magazine. No. 13. April 2005. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  10. ↑ "London Evening Gala". MQ Magazine. No. 20. January 2007. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  11. ↑ "That's Entertainment: Chelsea Lodge 3098, 100 Years 1905–2005". Chelsea Lodge. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  12. ↑ Keith Skues (2005). That's Entertainment : 100 Years of Chelsea Lodge No. 3098: The Centenary 1905–2005. Lamb's Meadow Publications. ISBN 978-0-907398-04-2.
  13. ↑ "The History of the CGS". Comedians Golfing Society. Retrieved 20 February 2013.
  14. ↑ "VGS Officers 2011". Vaudevile Golfing Society. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
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