Albert Moses

Albert Moses (19 December 1937 – 15 September 2017) was a Sri‑Lankan actor who built a remarkable career after moving to the United Kingdom, becoming a familiar face on British television and in international film. Born in Gampola, Kandy District, then part of British Ceylon, he first worked at the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya before traveling to Africa for employment and eventually relocating to London to study drama and theatre. By the early 1960s he was already acting in Bollywood productions, later venturing into documentary work in Africa and eventually establishing himself in the British entertainment industry where his versatile talents shone. His most iconic role was that of Ranjeet Singh, a Sikh student in the ITV sitcom Mind Your Language, a character he portrayed across all four series from 1977 to 1986, and for which he also produced thirteen episodes, helping to shape the show’s multicultural humor. In addition to television, Moses appeared in a wide range of films such as An American Werewolf in London, Octopussy, and The Snarling—the latter dedicated to his memory after his death. His stage work included productions at the National Theatre like Freeway and Phædra Britannica alongside Dame Diana Rigg, showcasing his strong theatrical foundation. Beyond acting, he was a prolific creator: he wrote television dramas and comedies, published children’s books, a collection of poems, and produced and directed television films, reflecting a career that spanned acting, writing, directing, and producing. Fluent in five languages and skilled in fencing, karate, and motor‑cycle stunts, he contributed generously to community life as a volunteer teacher, charity patron, and arts advocate, leaving a lasting legacy in both the performing arts and the lives of those he mentored.