Ronald Ellis Canada (born May 3, 1949)[1] is an American actor and producer, with a specialty in portraying judges and detectives.

[1] Following completion of the Michele Clark broadcast journalism program[citation needed] at Columbia University, under the guidance of producer Fred Friendly, Canada commenced his career as a television news reporter in 1971 at WBAL-TV.

Canada became the second actor to play the role of 'Troy Maxson' in August Wilson's Fences at The GeVa Theatre in Rochester, New York (January 1986).

[3] Canada has had a long career in both television and film, known primarily for his work in Cinderella Man, Wedding Crashers,[1] and his recurring role as Under Secretary of State Ted Barrow on The West Wing.

[1] He played the role of Iago in a "photo negative" version of Shakespeare's Othello at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C.[4] Other notable stage credits include his role as Emmet Tate in Zooman and the Sign at New York's Signature Theatre[5] and originating the role of Duncan Troy in Headstrong at The Ensemble Studio Theatre, which earned him an Audelco Award nomination as Best Supporting Actor.