Pickup, Ronald (Alfred) (1940– )

English actor. A distinguished member of the National Theatre Company 1965–73, he has since enjoyed leading roles in numerous television dramas, such as Jennie, Lady Randolph Churchill (1974), Fortunes of War (1987), A Time to Dance (1992), The Rector's Wife (1994), and King Henry IV (1994). His films include The Day of the Jackal (1973), The Thirty-Nine Steps (1978), and The Mission (1986).

Pickup was born in Chester. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and made his London stage debut as Octavius in Julius Caesar, at the Royal Court Theatre in 1964. During his association with the National Theatre Company at the Old Vic he performed in over 20 plays. His television work includes starring roles in Orwell on Jura (1983) and The Riff Raff Element (1993–94).