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Ralph Cosham
Ralph Cosham
Ralph Cosham
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Ralph Howard Cosham (25 February 1936 – 30 September 2014)[1] was a British-born American actor and narrator. Cosham also recorded under the name Geoffrey Howard.[2] He was a member of the acting companies of the Washington Theatre Club, the Folger Shakespeare Library, Arena Stage and the Shakespeare Theater all in Washington, D.C.[3] Several of his works were awarded "Audio Best of the Year" by Publishers Weekly.[2] Cosham worked as a journalist before he became an actor in the 1970s.[2]

Key Information

Career

[edit]

In early 1964, Panther Pictorial contracted with United Press International to prepare a special souvenir magazine of The Beatles' first visit to America. UPI took the photos and assigned English immigrant Cosham to write the accompanying text. His interviews with concertgoers and reporting was published as The Beatles at Carnegie Hall. It was Carnegie Hall's first ever rock concert ("set").[4][5]

In voice acting he was featured in the video game The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion[6] as the Breton males, including characters such as Jauffre, the Grandmaster of the Blades, and Vicente Valtieri. Cosham also played Dr. Guervich in Death Without Consent (2005) and he played the voice part "townspeople 3" in Pirates of the Caribbean (2003).[citation needed]

In acting he was a driver in Shadow Conspiracy (1997); Supreme Court Justice Jensen in The Pelican Brief (1993), Judge Assel Steward in Suspect (1987); a Marine Lieutenant in Starman (1984); and played the part of Braddock's Captain in the TV mini-series George Washington (1984).[7]

As a book narrator, Cosham (or as Howard) narrated over 100 books since 1992.[3][2] Some titles include The Time Machine by H. G. Wells, The Castle by Franz Kafka, The Secret Agent (1996), Heart of Darkness (2002), Frankenstein (2002), Around the World in Eighty Days (2003), Alice in Wonderland (2004), Watership Down (2010), Dead Man's Chest (2001 novel by Roger Johnson, narrated in 2006), King Leopold's Ghost, Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945, numerous works of C.S. Lewis including The Space Trilogy, Miracles, Mere Christianity, The Problem of Pain and The Screwtape Letters, as well as a collection of American short stories titled The American Experience: A Collection of Great American Stories (2004).

Cosham was the first narrator for a series of mysteries written by Louise Penny; he won AudioFile Earphones and Library Journal awards for best audiobook and the Mystery Audie Award in 2013 for The Beautiful Mystery. Cosham recorded the first ten books of the series.[3] After Cosham's death, Robert Bathurst narrated future books.[8]

Personal life and death

[edit]

Cosham lived in Reston, Virginia. He was married to Beverly Cosham, an actress and singer.[9]

Cosham died of an illness on 30 September 2014 at his home in Reston, at the age of 78.[1][9]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1983 Kennedy Dr. Clark TV mini-series, 5 episodes
1984 George Washington Braddock's Captain TV mini-series
1984 Starman Marine Lieutenant
1987 Suspect Judge Assel Stewart
1991 A Woman Named Jackie Dr. Wilson TV mini-series
1993 The Pelican Brief Justice Jensen
1997 Shadow Conspiracy Driver
2003 Pirates of the Caribbean Townspeople 3 Video game, voice only
2006 The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Jauffre / Vicente Valtieri / Male Bretons
2007 Death Without Consent Dr. Guervich Final film role

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Ralph Cosham

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Ralph Howard Cosham (February 25, 1936 – September 30, 2014) was a British-born American actor, performer, voice , and narrator renowned for his versatile career spanning theater, , and audio productions. Born in , , , he emigrated to the , where he established himself as a prominent figure in regional theater and later gained widespread acclaim for narrating over 100 audiobooks, including classics like and Around the World in Eighty Days. His most celebrated work was voicing in all ten novels of Louise Penny's bestselling mystery series, bringing a distinctive warmth and depth to the character that endeared him to listeners worldwide. Cosham's early career began in British journalism, where he worked as a reporter before transitioning to acting in the mid-20th century, a shift inspired by his lifelong love of reading and performance honed during post-World War II years in England. After moving to the U.S., he built a robust stage presence, performing for 11 seasons with the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., and seven with the Shakespeare Theatre Company, tackling roles in classical and contemporary works across regional theaters. He also appeared in films such as Starman (1984) as a Marine lieutenant and The Pelican Brief (1993) as Justice Jensen, alongside voice work in video games like The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006), where he provided voices for Male Bretons, including the character Jauffre. In the 1990s, Cosham pivoted to audiobook narration, recording from a home studio in Reston, Virginia, often with his rescue dog Charlie as his attentive audience. His narration career, which spanned more than two decades and over 100 titles, earned him critical praise for his expressive, character-driven style; he sometimes used the pseudonym Geoffrey Howard for recordings. Notably, his work on Penny's series, starting with Still Life (2005) and culminating in The Long Way Home (2014)—one of his final projects—captured the introspective essence of Gamache, as Penny noted, “Ralph brings him alive, I think, because he understands Gamache.” Cosham received the 2013 Audie Award for best mystery narration for Penny's , along with AudioFile Earphones Awards and a best recognition, cementing his legacy as one of the most beloved voices in audio literature. He passed away at Reston Hospital Center at age 78, survived by his wife Beverly, five children, and six grandchildren, leaving an indelible mark on theater, screen, and the .

Early life and education

Childhood in England

Ralph Howard Cosham was born on February 25, 1936, in , , . He grew up in post-war , a period marked by economic recovery and social rebuilding following . During his childhood in this austere environment, Cosham found solace in reading, which served as an escape and fostered his imaginative visualization of narratives as "movies in my mind." This early engagement with stories likely influenced his later interests in writing and performance, though specific family-driven inspirations remain undocumented. As a boy, he took on his first job delivering newspapers, an experience that introduced him to the rhythms of media and .

Professional start in journalism

Cosham began his professional journey in media as a newspaper delivery boy in , which sparked his interest in . During the 1950s and 1960s, he established himself as a journalist based in , working as a correspondent for (UPI), where he contributed articles on various topics, including entertainment and international affairs. One notable assignment came in 1964 when UPI dispatched him to New York to cover ' groundbreaking performances at . His on-the-scene reporting, including interviews with concertgoers, formed the basis of his authored booklet The Beatles at Carnegie Hall, published that year by Panther Pictorial in as an illustrated account of the band's early U.S. success. Cosham emigrated to the in the mid-to-late , transitioning to shortly thereafter.

Acting career

Theater work

After relocating to , as a British in the , Ralph Cosham transitioned from a career in to professional , leveraging his narrative skills honed as a "recovering " to embark on the stage. From the mid-1970s onward, Cosham became a fixture in the D.C. regional theater scene, serving as a member of the resident acting companies at key venues including the Washington Theatre Club, Folger Theatre, , and the . His steady presence across these institutions spanned decades, contributing to over 50 productions that showcased his command of both classical repertoire and modern works. Cosham's British accent and versatile characterizations proved particularly effective in Shakespearean roles, where he often portrayed authoritative or comedic figures with nuanced authority. At Folger Theatre, he delivered standout performances as and in (2006), earning a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Resident Play. Earlier, in Elizabeth the Queen (2003), he played Lord Burghley, embodying the era's political intrigue with precise diction. At , Cosham excelled in contemporary British plays, particularly those by Alan Ayckbourn, where his wry timing highlighted themes of suburban dysfunction; notable among these were roles in productions like (1988), in which he portrayed the pompous Jamison. He also appeared in (1995), a exploring civil rights, demonstrating his range beyond period pieces. His work at the further illustrated his adaptability, blending classical gravitas with dramatic intensity. Roles included the scheming in King Lear (1999–2000), the diplomatic Antonio in (2002–2003), and the opportunistic in King John (1998–1999). In Richard III (2007), as Stanley, he captured the moral ambiguity of a amid tyranny, while his portrayal of the 1st Senator in (2000–2001) underscored themes of societal decay. These performances, often in ensemble-driven interpretations, affirmed Cosham's reputation as a reliable ensemble player in D.C.'s vibrant theater community.

Film and television roles

Ralph Cosham's on-screen appearances in film and television were limited, reflecting his primary focus on theater and voice work, with credits primarily spanning the 1980s through the early 2000s. His debut came in the 1983 television miniseries Kennedy, where he portrayed Dr. Clark across five episodes, marking an early foray into historical drama on American screens. The following year, 1984, saw him in two notable projects: as Braddock's Captain in the miniseries George Washington and as Marine Lieutenant in the feature film Starman, a science fiction thriller directed by John Carpenter. Cosham continued with supporting roles that often capitalized on his authoritative presence and British accent, such as Judge Assel Stewart in the 1987 legal thriller Suspect, starring and . In 1991, he appeared as Dr. Wilson in three episodes of the biographical miniseries , depicting events in Jacqueline Kennedy's life. His film work peaked in prominence with the role of Justice Jensen in the 1993 adaptation of John Grisham's , alongside and , where he played a key figure in a conspiracy plot. Later credits included smaller parts, such as the Driver in the 1997 political thriller Shadow Conspiracy with . In 2004, Cosham featured as Dr. Craford in the HBO biographical Something the Lord Made, which explored the partnership between surgeons and . His final on-screen role was as Dr. Guervich in the 2007 thriller Death Without Consent, a low-budget production centered on and . These selective appearances, typically in minor but dignified authority figures, underscored Cosham's versatility in supporting ensemble casts across genres like , thriller, and historical biography.

Voice acting and audiobook narration

Cosham provided the voice for the character Jauffre, as well as other male Breton NPCs, in the 2006 The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. His performance contributed to the game's immersive storytelling through distinct vocal characterizations of these roles. Beyond video games, Cosham established a prolific career in audiobook narration, recording over 100 titles starting in 1992 under his own name and the pseudonym Geoffrey Howard. His work spanned a wide range of genres, with a particular emphasis on literary classics and mysteries. Among his notable narrations were H.G. Wells' science fiction classic The Time Machine, which highlighted his ability to convey speculative wonder through measured pacing. He also brought an intimate, understated style to Richard Adams' epic tale Watership Down, drawing listeners into the animal protagonists' perilous journey with calm and steady delivery. Cosham's most acclaimed contributions were to Louise Penny's Chief Inspector Gamache mystery series, where he narrated the first ten books from (2005) through The Long Way Home (2014). His portrayal of the thoughtful detective Armand Gamache blended British intellectual precision with subtle emotional warmth, earning widespread praise for transporting listeners to the series' settings. This work culminated in an Audie Award for his narration of The (2012), the eighth installment. Throughout his narration career, Cosham was recognized for a warm, versatile style that excelled in British classics and mysteries, emphasizing emotional depth and natural dialogue without gimmicks. His background further enhanced this , allowing authentic character embodiment across diverse narratives.

Personal life and death

Marriage and family

Ralph Cosham married Beverly Ann Powell in 1970, and the couple made their home in the United States, where they shared a life centered in , providing a stable base for his professional pursuits in the , area. This was his third marriage; he had previously been married twice. Beverly Cosham, an acclaimed singer and actress known for her one-woman shows and performances across the country, supported the family through her own artistic endeavors. Cosham was the father of five children: Howard, Richard, Jon, Geoffrey, and Victoria.

Illness and death

In his later years, Ralph Cosham battled heart problems that required frequent hospitalizations in the weeks leading up to his death. He passed away on September 30, 2014, at Reston Hospital Center in , at the age of 78. Cosham, who had long resided in with his family, was survived by his wife, Beverly, and his five children. A memorial service to celebrate his life was held on October 20, 2014, at the Reston Community Center's Center Stage theater, attended by family, friends, and members of the D.C. theater . Tributes from colleagues emphasized Cosham's enduring legacy as a British artist who had become a fixture in Washington, D.C., theater since the . Actors and directors recalled his professionalism and warm presence that enriched the local arts scene.

References

  1. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1305082-ralph-cosham?language=en-US
  2. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0181851/
  3. https://us.macmillan.com/author/ralphcosham
  4. https://www.shelf-awareness.com/theshelf/2014-10-02/obituary_note:_ralph_cosham
  5. https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/ralph-cosham-the-voice-of-armand-gamache-in-louise-penny-audiobooks/2014/08/21/e5ebe04c-26d6-11e4-8b10-7db129976abb_story.html
  6. https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/narrators/ralph-cosham/
  7. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/washingtonpost/name/ralph-cosham-obituary?id=6040488
  8. https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/532431276/
  9. https://www.komparify.com/entertainment/actor/ralph-cosham
  10. https://www.beatlesagain.com/breflib/carnegie.html
  11. https://dctheatrescene.com/2014/10/16/personal-tributes-actor-ralph-cosham-memorial-service-announced/
  12. https://www.restonnow.com/2014/10/01/obituary-ralph-cosham-78/
  13. https://narrator.page/n/ralph_cosham
  14. https://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/103052-ralph-cosham
  15. https://folgerpedia.folger.edu/Helen_Hayes_Awards
  16. https://www.csmonitor.com/1988/0613/lcoco.html
  17. https://www.shakespearetheatre.org/events/king-lear-99-00
  18. https://www.shakespearetheatre.org/events/king-john-98-99
  19. https://muse.jhu.edu/article/230102/summary
  20. https://www.shakespearetheatre.org/events/timon-of-athens-00-01
  21. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085044/fullcredits/
  22. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086720/fullcredits/
  23. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120107/fullcredits/
  24. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386792/fullcredits/
  25. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0442084/fullcredits/
  26. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Ralph-Cosham/
  27. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/The-Elder-Scrolls-IV-Oblivion/Brother-Jauffre/
  28. https://audiobookstore.com/narrators/geoffrey-howard-audiobooks/
  29. https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/reviews/read/11502/the-time-machine-by-hg-wells-read-by-ralph-cosham/
  30. https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/reviews/read/56922/watership-down-by-richard-adams-read-by-ralph-cosham/
  31. https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/reviews/read/66144/a-trick-of-the-light-by-louise-penny-read-by-ralph-cosham/
  32. https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/reviews/read/12285/frankenstein-by-mary-wollstonecraft-shelley-read-by-ralph-cosham/
  33. https://restoncommunityorchestra.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Beverly-Cosham.pdf
  34. https://patch.com/virginia/reston/remembering-ralph-cosham-memorial-service-monday-night-reston-0
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