Ram John Holder

John Wesley Holder CBE (born 1934), known professionally as Ram John Holder, is a Guyanese-British actor and musician, who began his professional career as a singer in New York City, before moving to England in 1962. He has performed on stage, in both film and television and, is best known for playing Augustus “Porkpie” Grant in the British television series Desmond’s.

Holder’s parents were devout members of the USA-based Pilgrim Holiness Church. He grew up in Georgetown, Guyana, during the 1940s and 1950s. Influenced by the church and the musical talents of his parents, he became quite accomplished playing the guitar. During the early ’50s, the strict, strait-laced church membership was scandalised when he broke away and changed his name to “Ram” John. Holder began to perform as a folk singer in New York City.