Similar topics
Search
Latest topics
Richard Briers dies
2 posters
Richard Briers dies
Pics and video: http://news.sky.com/story/1053662/richard-briers-dies-good-life-actor-aged-79Richard Briers Dies: Good Life Actor Aged 79
The national treasure, who successfully switched from sitcoms to Shakespeare stage roles, has passed away after a long illness.
Sky News: 3:57pm UK, Monday 18 February 2013
Actor Richard Briers - known to millions for TV's The Good Life - has died at the age of 79.
The star, who was also famous for his Shakespearean roles, had been battling a serious lung condition for a number of years.
Briers, who starred in shows such as Ever Decreasing Circles and Monarch Of The Glen, recently blamed years of smoking for his emphysema.
His agent said he died "peacefully" at his London home on Sunday.
Briers will be best remembered for his performance as Tom Good, alongside Felicity Kendal, in the 1970s BBC1 sitcom The Good Life.
The show revolved around a couple who drop out of the rat race in Surbiton, south west London, to enjoy a life of simple self-sufficiency.
In an interview carried out only weeks ago, the actor told how his health was failing after being diagnosed with emphysema five years ago, which he attributed to years of smoking, although he gave up 10 years ago.
"I was diagnosed five years ago and didn't think it would go quite as badly as it has," he said.
"I used to love smoking. It's totally my fault. So, I get very breathless, which is a pain in the backside.
"Trying to get upstairs ... oh God, it's ridiculous. Of course, when you're bloody nearly 80 it's depressing, because you've had it anyway."
His agent, Christopher Farrar, of Hamilton Hodell, said: "Richard was a wonderful man, a consummate professional and an absolute joy to work alongside.
"Following his recent discussion of his battle with emphysema, I know he was incredibly touched by the strength of support expressed by friends and the public.
"He has a unique and special place in the hearts of so many. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and deepest sympathy go to his family at this sad time."
His varied career saw him narrating the 1970s children's cartoon series Roobarb And Custard, as well as adding his voice to the animated version of Watership Down.
Although long known for his comedy roles in film and TV, a new strand to his career unfolded when he joined Sir Kenneth Branagh's Renaissance Theatre Company in 1987, and went on to work in a number of classical roles.
Sir Kenneth spoke fondly as he paid tribute to Briers, saying: "He was a national treasure, a great actor and a wonderful man. He was greatly loved and he will be deeply missed."
They worked together on Henry V, Peter's Friends, Much Ado About Nothing and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein during their lengthy association.
Rada-trained Briers made his West End debut in the late 1950s in Gilt And Gingerbread, and went on to work on a number of British films - Bottoms Up, Murder She Said, The Girl On The Boat and Fathom, alongside Raquel Welch.
Sunday Telegraph theatre critic Tim Walker told Sky News that Briers had an "appetite for hard work".
"He was a proper, grown-up stage actor," he said.
"Very much respected in the profession. I remember seeing him in London Assurance back in 2010, so quite recently, when he was on great form.
"He'd always say to me: 'Oh, I'm so lucky I'm working and it's amazing they haven't seen through me'. That was very much typical of him and I think, to some extent, his generation."
Lamplighter- Slayer of scums
- Location : I am the Judge, Jury and Executioner
Join date : 2011-06-24
Age : 84
Re: Richard Briers dies
I liked him. Never liked Felicity Kendall, though.
I read an interview with him in the Mail recently - he was having terrible trouble breathing, his lungs were so badly damaged.
I read an interview with him in the Mail recently - he was having terrible trouble breathing, his lungs were so badly damaged.
bb1- Slayer of scums
- Location : watcher on the wall
Join date : 2011-06-24
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
|
|
Sun Dec 06, 2020 6:43 pm by Pedro Silva
» help Liam Scott
Sat May 02, 2020 1:05 pm by Pedro Silva
» WE STILL HOPE' Madeleine McCann parents vow to keep searching for their daughter in emotional Christmas message
Thu Dec 26, 2019 9:37 am by Pedro Silva
» Candles site
Fri Sep 20, 2019 6:40 pm by Pedro Silva
» Madeleine McCann's parents urge holidaymakers to take posters abroad with them this summer in bid to find their daughter
Sat Aug 03, 2019 7:33 pm by Pedro Silva
» Madeleine McCann investigation gets more funding
Wed Jun 05, 2019 10:44 pm by Pedro Silva
» new suspect in Madeleine McCann
Sun May 05, 2019 3:18 pm by Sabot
» NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
Sat Apr 20, 2019 8:02 pm by Pedro Silva
» SUN, STAR: 'Cristovao goes on trial' - organised home invasions, etc
Sat Apr 20, 2019 7:54 am by Sabot