The father ‘Hard-working’ award-winning lighting director
Born in Pennsylvania, of Dutch-irish descent, Thomas Markle, 72, made his way to Hollywood where he worked as a lighting director. He worked for many years on the set of the television show Married… With Children, and his work on longrunning series General Hospital earned him nine Daytime Emmy nominations, of which he was twice named the winner. He was also reportedly chosen to oversee the lighting for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics as well as the 1986 Oscar ceremony. Prior to meeting Doria Ragland, he had been married to Roslyn, with whom he had two children – Samantha, now 52, and Thomas Jr, now 50. Mr Markle and his daughter were very close, with the young Meghan accompanying him on film sets and being cared for by him while her mother was travelling as an air stewardess. He has not met Prince Harry, but has spoken to him on the phone and has given his blessing to the Prince asking for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Since retiring, Mr Markle moved to Mexico.
He was declared bankrupt in June 2016. Miss Markle has described her father as the “most hardworking father you can imagine”.