Ronald J. "Ron" Hargrave (born November 8, 1929) is a well renowned ukulele player and actor from the 1950s era, who has become an icon to the Rockabilly fan base. He co-wrote music for Jerry Lee Lewis and was also identified as a billboard star musician in Japan with many singles. He currently resides in Ventura, California where he visits small shops and locations to play the ukulele for small impromptu crowds.
Ron Hargrave was raised in the Bronx to Vaudeville performers directly after the big Wall Street Crash of 1929. His family, trying to avert disaster, moved to Hollywood, California in 1936, where they settled and he began his lifelong career choices for the entertainment industry.
He entered into military life right at the start of his acting and musical career. During his military service time he met up with the daughter of Lou Costello which started him off in the film industry.
He moved to Ventura County, California where he resides near his daughter and continues to play music for small clubs and small audiences. He often surprises the downtown shop owners, small restaurant owners with impromptu visits where he plays his ukulele for passerby.
Ron Hargrave, after hanging out with Costello's daughter, met with Abbott and Costello and eventually was managed by Lou Costello in one film, "Dance With Me Henry", released in 1956. He began writing songs and was introduced to Jerry Lee Lewis where he co-wrote High School Confidential (Jerry Lee Lewis song) and wrote "Latch On" and other movie songs.
He was also a boxer and his swagger in Costello's movie earmarked him as one of the first on-screen rock and roll actors, in an era that had not yet adjusted to the young attitude of Elvis Presley or Jerry Lee Lewis.
Actor
1960
Wake Me When It's Over as
Hawaiian Singer (uncredited)
1958
Hey, Jeannie! (TV Series) as
Jack
- The Landlord (1958) - Jack
1958
Playhouse 90 (TV Series) as
Willard Trace
- No Time at All (1958) - Willard Trace
1957
Tales of the Texas Rangers (TV Series) as
Clint Weldon
- Whirlwind Raiders (1957) - Clint Weldon
1957
The Adventures of McGraw (TV Series) as
Robert
- Ballerina (1957) - Robert
1957
You Are There (TV Series) as
Bob Dalton
- The End of the Dalton Gang (October 5, 1892) (1957) - Bob Dalton
1957
Crossroads (TV Series) - Weekend Minister (1957)
1956
Dance with Me, Henry as
Ernie
1956
Friendly Persuasion as
Farmer (uncredited)
1956
The Burning Hills as
Sutton Rider (uncredited)
1956
A Cry in the Night as
Boy on Motorcycle (uncredited)
1956
The First Texan as
Sentry (uncredited)
1955
TV Reader's Digest (TV Series) as
Lt. Heinrich Gruening / Lt. Boscomb / Sailor
- The General's Escape (1956) - Lt. Heinrich Gruening
- Cochise, Greatest of the Apaches (1956) - Lt. Boscomb
- Mrs. Robert Louis Stevenson (1955) - Sailor
1956
Gaby as
Bit Role (uncredited)
1956
Schlitz Playhouse (TV Series) - Formosa Patrol (1956)
1956
Studio 57 (TV Series) - Deadline (1956)
1955
Cavalcade of America (TV Series) as
Student
- Toward Tomorrow (1955) - Student
1955
Jane Wyman Presents the Fireside Theatre (TV Series) as
Kid
- Little Guy (1955) - Kid
1954
Drum Beat as
Singing Soldier (uncredited)
1954
Dragnet (TV Series) as
Clifford Roy Small
- The Big Poison (1954)
- The Big Boys (1954) - Clifford Roy Small
1954
Adventures of Superman (TV Series) as
Boy Mayor
- Jimmy Olsen, Boy Editor (1954) - Boy Mayor (as Ronald Hargrave)
1953
Jack Slade as
Ned Prentice
1953
Vicki as
Boy (uncredited)
1953
The Kid from Left Field as
Craig
1953
Four Star Playhouse (TV Series) as
Bobby Greggory
- Knockout (1953) - Bobby Greggory
1952
Broadway Television Theatre (TV Series) as
Hal Wilson
- Blind Alley (1952) - Hal Wilson
1952
Flesh and Fury as
Logan (uncredited)
1952
Red Skies of Montana as
Grayson (uncredited)
1952
Studio One (TV Series) - Waterfront Boss (1952)
Soundtrack
2020
The Kid Detective (writer: "Oh Love (Stop Knockin' on My Door)")
-
Uvolnete se, prosÃm (TV Series) (lyrics - 1 episode, 2009) (music - 1 episode, 2009) - Episode dated 25 September 2009 (2009) - (lyrics: "High School Confidential") / (music: "High School Confidential")
2004
Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (writer: "High School Confidential")
1997
Telling Lies in America (writer: "High School Confidential")
1991
Jerry Lee Lewis: The Story of Rock & Roll (Video documentary) (writer: "High School Confidential")
1989
Great Balls of Fire! (writer: "High School Confidential")
1987
The Curse (writer: "High School Confidential")
1983
Breathless (writer: "High School Confidential")
1982
It Came from Hollywood (Documentary) (writer: "High School Confidential" - uncredited)
1979
Going Steady (writer: "High School Confidential")
1978
Good Old Days Part II (TV Special) (writer: "High School Confidential")
1973
The Midnight Special (TV Series) (writer - 1 episode) - Host: Jerry Lee Lewis; guests: Freddie Cannon; Chubby Checker; Little Anthony; Ronettes; Shirelles; Del Vikings (1973) - (writer: "High School Confidential")
1965
Shindig! (TV Series) (writer - 3 episodes) - Episode #2.3 (1965) - (writer: "High School Confidential")
- Episode #1.42 (1965) - (writer: "High School Confidential")
- Episode #1.18 (1965) - (writer: "High School Confidential")
Self
1956
Stage Show (TV Series) as
Self
- Gene Baylos/Sonny Howard/Ron Hargrave (1956) - Self
