Ronald Top (born 1964) is a theatre, TV, and film-actor as well as presenter, voice-over artist and writer. Hollywood writer/producer Vivian Leigh wrote about his work: âÂÂRonaldâÂÂs performances have a depth and believability that are only seen within the work of the very best actors (-) His sensitivity to the needs of production and nobility allows greater performances from everyone with whom he appears.âÂÂ
After finishing his four-year study at the Drama Academy in Maastricht, Ronald worked as a stage-actor in Antwerp, Belgium, at the National Theatre in the Hague and several other Dutch theatre groups. A leading Dutch critic wrote: âÂÂRonaldâÂÂs performance is so life-like, itâÂÂs frightening.âÂÂ
On television he performs in drama as well as comedy series and both short and feature length films. Ronald has always been passionate about acting and presenting. âÂÂCan History be fun to watch? Absolutely! Just watch Ronald Top presenting Industrial Revelations Europe,â a Dutch critic wrote about RonaldâÂÂs history/engineering programmes for Discovery Channel.
The hit series âÂÂIndustrial Revelationsâ and âÂÂInventing Historyâ show Ronald driving steam trains, flying hot air balloons, riding horses, lighting dynamite and climbing into the dark depths of a Polish flint mine. On âÂÂLegend Detectivesâ he marshalled a team of experts and travelled through Europe to the birthplaces of famous legends. âÂÂHis unique blend of humour, intelligence and non-stop enthusiasmâ is viewed by millions of people in more than 140 countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the US. According to Bafta winning director Richard Nash "Ronald is the most engaging, entertaining and low maintenance presenter IâÂÂve come across in over fifteen years of directing documentaries,âÂÂ
Ronald played a leading role in the award winning feature film âÂÂThe Flowingâ (Danyael Sugawara 2009). This year he will star in the film âÂÂDadâÂÂs last journeyâ from Golden Bear winning director Hanro Smitsman and in the Dutch drama series âÂÂAâÂÂdam and Eveâ (Norbert ter Hall).
Ronald participated in the award winning Dutch/German production of âÂÂA letter for the kingâ (Pieter Verhoeff) and in the award winning film âÂÂThe Roymann Closureâ (David Grifhorst). He appeared in the music video clip âÂÂUtopiaâ from the Dutch band Within Temptation and on the internet in the British comedy series âÂÂSemitaskingâÂÂ.
Ronald has written and presented several corporate films. âÂÂSpace Transportation: an ATV perspectiveâ for the European Space Agency (ESA) won him the Best Documentary Award at the 2009 Scientific Filmfestival in Milan, Italy. The extremely successful and award winning ad-campaign for Grolsch beer â âÂÂSchtop!â â made him a household name in the UK.
This year Ronald will work with New Earth Films in the Netherlands on the production of documentaries for the National Geographic Channel. HeâÂÂll work as an actor on several productions in his home country the Netherlands as well as the UK and Germany. Ronald is developing his first script for a feature film.
Horse riding, scuba diving and sailing are among his favorite sports. HeâÂÂs learning to play the cello. His native language is Dutch. Ronald is fluent in English and German.