EastEnders icon Rudolph Walker has revealed he was secretly homeless while playing Patrick Trueman in the soap.
The 84-year-old actor, who has played the Jamaican patriarch since 2001, admitted to leading a “double life” after a divorce at the age of 70 left him “penniless”.
She recalled “crying” on the way to the BBC studios in Elstree as she told her co-stars about her struggles with “grief and loneliness”.
Rudolph married his first wife, Lorna Ross, in 1968, and after their divorce he married his second wife, Dounne Alexander, in 1998, but they also separated.
The legal costs of her second divorce took their toll and she was left “with only one car in her name.”
EastEnders icon Rudolph Walker has revealed he was secretly homeless while playing Patrick Trueman in the soap (pictured 2022)
The 84-year-old actor, who has played the Jamaican patriarch since 2001, admitted to leading a “double life” after a divorce at age 70 left him “penniless” (pictured in 2023)
In an interview with The mirror“It was painful, extremely difficult. I had no financial means. I was literally starting from scratch at 70 years old, with nowhere to live. It was a time of great pain and loneliness,” she explained.
‘Some days on the way to the studio I would stop on the side of the road and just cry. I guess it was a kind of double life.
‘Questions like, “Who am I? Why am I in this position?” There was no way for the audience who saw me as Patrick every night to know what was going on.’
His comments come ahead of the launch of his new memoirs, which will be available later this month.
Walking With Dignity chronicles the trials and tribulations of the 84-year-old actor, as well as highlights from his 60-year career so far.
Rudolph wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Finally! My autobiography ‘Walking With Dignity’ is coming out September 26th.”
‘You can pre-order it at https://amzn.eu/d/cWyoDGT I hope you enjoy it. Spread the word #autobiography #mylife #actorlife #FamilyFirst’.
Among those congratulating Rudolph was Ricky Norwood, who played the beloved character Fatboy in EastEnders from 2010 to 2015.
He married his second wife, Dounne Alexander, in 1998, but they later separated. The legal costs of his second divorce took their toll and he was left “with only one car in his name” (pictured in 2010).
His comments come ahead of the release of his new memoir, which will be available later this month.
Ricky, 41, wrote: ‘If you’re going to read anyone’s story… this man’s journey is full of ups and downs, twists and turns, surprises and life lessons…!
“It is a great honor for me to be able to call this man a mentor and friend. Pre-order now…”
Since 2001, Patrick, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, has been central to numerous compelling storylines, including strokes, assaults at his store and the death of his adopted son.
He is seen as a father figure to several characters, namely sisters Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and Kim Fox (Tameka Empson).
Over the years, Rudolph has appeared in Love Thy Neighbor, Roman Atkinson’s crime comedy The Thin Blue Line and films such as 10 Rillington Place,
He also worked as a narrator on CBeebies’ hit show Teletubbies in the late 1990s.
In 2010, to mark his 70th birthday, Rudolph launched the Rudolph Walker Foundation to help underprivileged youth begin careers in the entertainment industry.
Among those congratulating Rudolph was Ricky Norwood, who played the beloved character Fatboy in EastEnders from 2010 to 2015.
He is seen as a father figure to several characters, namely sisters Denise Fox (Diane Parish, left) and Kim Fox (Tameka Empson, second from left).
Rudolph’s services to theatre and charity resulted in him being appointed a CBE in the 2020 New Year Honours List.
The foundation includes an inter-school drama award for London schools and a Role Model Award for students who have demonstrated a positive influence on others.
In 2015, she celebrated her 1000th episode of EastEnders.
Rudolph’s services to theatre and charity resulted in him being appointed a CBE in the 2020 New Year Honours List.
Walking With Dignity by Rudolph Walker CBE is available from 26 September.
