In Memoriam

We remember Clive Swift, the Keeping Up Appearances star who passed away this week at the age of 82.

As 2018 comes to an end, we here at Telly Visions would like to pause to remember some of the performers and public figures we have lost over the past twelve months.

These losses have touched the fields of television, film, literature, music, science and sports. You may not be familiar with all of them, but each was an icon beloved by the British public for the laughter, thrills and enlightenment they provided. They will continue to live on in our memories through the work they left behind.

Many of you have probably already heard the heart-breaking news that Emma Chambers, comedic actress and star of The Vicar of Dibley, passed away earlier this weekend at the age of 53. Reports state that she died unexpectedly of natural causes. She is survived by her husband of 26 years, actor Ian Dunn.

We wanted to take a moment to remember Emma's comedic talents and share some of the "Alice Tinker" moments that made us laugh over the years. 

As 2017 comes to an end, we here at Telly Visions pause to remember those we have lost in the British entertainment industry over the past twelve months.

These losses have touched the fields of television, film and literature equally. As fans we have mourned the deaths of people who brought thrills, tears and laughter into our lives. We thank them for sharing their talents with the world and they will continue to live on in our memories through the work they left behind.

Many of you have probably already heard the sad news of the passing of actor John Hurt. He died Friday at the age of 77. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in June 2015, but announced four months later that the disease was in remission after undergoing treatment. The cause of death has not yet been announced.

Mr. Hurt is survived by his wife, Anwen Rees-Myers, and his two sons, Alexander and Nicholas Hurt, from a previous marriage.

In a career that spanned six decades, Sir John received two Oscar nominations, a Golden Globe for best actor in a supporting role in Midnight Express and three BAFTA awards for various TV and film roles. The British Academy of Film and Television Arts presented Hurt with lifetime achievement award in 2012 for his outstanding contribution to British cinema. He was knighted in 2015 for his services to drama and was reportedly working up to the time of his death.

Few people would dispute that 2016 has been a tough year. It's been particularly devasting in regards to the number of entertainment icons who have passed away with upsetting regularity over the past twelve months. Please join me in honoring the memory of many of the British actors, musicians and broadcasters who have shared their talents with us over the years. 

Most of you have probably already heard the heart-breaking news that Alan Rickman passed away today at the age of 69. Reports state that the British actor had been battling cancer. He is survived by his partner of 50 years, Rima Horton. The two married in a private ceremony in 2012.

Anyone who watched Mr. Rickman perform knew the depth and power of his talent. He was an accomplished stage and screen actor who was recognized with nominations for his work in theatre, TV and film. His honors included a BAFTA for his villainous role in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and an Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award for portraying the infamous spiritual healer and Russian political advisor in the TV movie Rasputin. For his most recognized role as the misunderstood and ultimately selfless Professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter franchise, Alan earned the devotion of a generation and a People’s Choice and MTV Movie award to boot.

Iconic British actor Sir Christopher Lee has passed away at the age of 93.

It’s hard to know what to even write about that. Lee was the sort of unforgettable actor that if you ever saw him in anything – and you probably saw him in something, he did everything – you remembered it. A lot of times, it was because of that voice – his resonant baritone was the definition of unique – and a lot of times it was because Lee had a knack for playing memorable villains, the complicated sort that stay with you, that you end up feeling kind of sympathetic toward, even and often in spite of yourself.

In truth, Lee appeared in over 250 film and television productions - well beyond any attempt to pigeonhole him into any sort of genre or character - and the sheer volume of his work makes even attempting to summarize his career a challenging prospect. Suffice it to say, he has done everything: from playing a Bond villain, to a Tolkien villain, to Dracula, to FrnHe even played Death himself. In case all that acting wasn’t enough, he also served in both the Royal Air Force and the secretive Special Forces in World War II, was happily married to his wife Birgit Kroencke for over fifty years, and recorded not only an album of Broadway showtunes, but also two gothic heavy metal records.

Lee lived life to the absolute fullest, and even while we mourn his loss, it seemed appropriate to pause and celebrate a small handful of his greatest roles.