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Big Ron: The EastEnders Star Who Died and Returned
29 Oct
Summary
- Actor Ron Tarr died of cancer in 1997, but appeared in pre-recorded episodes.
- His character, Big Ron, was written out explaining he won the lottery.
- Tarr also starred in Doctor Who, Star Wars, and various TV advertisements.
The character Big Ron, portrayed by Ronald Lawrence Morisco-Tarr, remained a familiar face on EastEnders even after the actor's real-life passing. Ron Tarr died from cancer on October 20, 1997, at the age of 60. Producers faced a unique challenge as Tarr had filmed several episodes before his death, leading to his character's on-screen continuation.
Initially, Big Ron's character was written out of the series in early 1998 with the explanation that he had won the lottery and relocated to Spain. This storyline allowed for his departure without addressing his actual death. Beyond EastEnders, Tarr had a varied acting career, notably appearing in a Doctor Who charity special, Star Wars, and the film Eat the Rich.
His memorable roles also extended to television advertisements, including commercials for the Do-It-All DIY chain in 1989 and Sugar Puffs in 1990. Following his funeral, where several EastEnders cast members paid their respects, a dedicated fan page on Facebook was created in his memory, highlighting his lasting impact.
