Tim Pigott-Smith obit

'A GREAT OF HIS GENERATION'

Tim Pigott-Smith dead aged 70 – TV and West End star famous for roles in James Bond, Downton Abbey and Johnny English dies just days before stage tour

The talented actor was due to start a stage tour with his wife, who broke her leg a few days ago

 

He was not on the list.

ACTOR Tim Pigott-Smith - known for roles in James Bond and Downton Abbey - has died at the age of 70, just days before he was due to go on a stage tour.

The West End and Broadway veteran received an OBE for services to drama last month following a glittering 50-year career on stage, TV and in film.

He was just days away from starting a touring production of Death of a Salesman with his wife Pamela Miles, who was forced to pull out after breaking a bone and undergoing surgery two days ago.

A statement from agent John Grant said: "It is with deep regret that I have to announce the sad news that Tim Pigott-Smith died this morning.

"Tim was one of the great actors of his generation. Much-loved and admired by his peers, he will be remembered by many as a gentleman and a true friend."

Pigott-Smith had already filmed the forthcoming BBC2 drama King Charles III having successfully played the title role in the theatre production on Broadway and in the West End.

The play and TV drama depict Charles as monarch after the Queen's death as he refuses to sign a controversial bill into law.

It chronicles the political chaos that follows, leading to a constitutional crisis, rioting on the streets and a tank in front of Buckingham Palace.

"He will be much missed. We ask that you respect the privacy of his wife, the actress Pamela Miles, his son Tom and the family."

During the making of The Jewel in the Crown, Pigott-Smith wrote a diary on his impressions of India. This was published together with an anthology of poetry and prose under the title Out of India.

He wrote two children's books in the series The Baker Street Mysteries, featuring the exploits of Sherlock Holmes' Baker Street Irregulars – The Dragon Tattoo (2008) and Shadow of Evil (2009). He played Holmes in a BBC Radio adaptation of The Valley of Fear.

 

Filmography and more


Film


Year , Title , Role , Director(s) , Notes


1976 , Aces High , Maj. Stoppard , Jack Gold ,


1977 , Joseph Andrews , Cornet , Tony Richardson ,


1980 , Sweet William , Gerald , Claude Whatham ,


Richard's Things , Peter , Anthony Harvey ,


1981 , Clash of the Titans , Thallo , Desmond Davis ,


Escape to Victory , Maj. Rose – The English , John Huston ,


1986 , A State of Emergency , Ft. Joe Ryan , Richard C. Bennett ,


1987 , The Race for the Double Helix
(aka Life Story) , Ft. Jeff Goldblum , Mick Jackson ,


1993 , The Remains of the Day , Thomas Benn , James Ivory ,


2002 , Safe Conduct , Fleming , Bertrand Tavernier ,


Bloody Sunday , Maj. Gen. Robert Ford , Paul Greengrass ,


The Four Feathers , Gen. Faversham , Shekhar Kapur ,


Gangs of New York , Calvinist Minister , Martin Scorsese ,


2003 , Johnny English , Pegasus, Head of MI7 , Peter Howitt ,


Eroica , Count Dietrichstein , Simon Cellan Jones ,


2004 , Alexander , Omen Reader , Oliver Stone ,


2005 , V for Vendetta , Peter Creedy , James McTeigue ,


2006 , L'Entente Cordiale , S.I. Masterson , Vincent De Brus ,


Flyboys , Mr. Lowry , Tony Bill ,


2008 , Quantum of Solace , Foreign Secretary , Marc Forster ,


2010 , Alice in Wonderland , Lord Ascot , Tim Burton ,


2011 , My Piece of the Pie , Mr. Brown , Cédric Klapisch ,


2013 , RED 2 , Director Philips , Dean Parisot ,


2015 , Jupiter Ascending , Malidictes , The Wachowskis ,


2016 , Whisky Galore! , Woolsey , Gillies MacKinnon ,


2017 , 6 Days , William Whitelaw , Toa Fraser , Posthumous release


King Charles III , Charles III , Rupert Goold , Posthumous release


Victoria & Abdul , Sir Henry Ponsonby , Stephen Frears , Posthumous release


The Little Vampire 3D , Frederick , Richard Claus & Karsten Kiilerich , Posthumous release, Voice, (final film role)




Television


Year , Title , Role , Director(s) , Notes ,


1971 , Doctor Who (The Claws of Axos) , Captain Harker , Michael Ferguson , Parts 3 + 4 ,


1976 , Doctor Who (The Masque of Mandragora) , Marco , Rodney Bennett , 4 episodes ,


1979 , Measure for Measure , Angelo , Desmond Davis , BBC Shakespeare series ,


1979 , Henry IV Pt 1 , Henry 'Hotspur' Percy , David Giles , BBC Shakespeare series ,


1980 , Tis Pity She's a Whore , Vasque , Roland Joffe , BBC ,


1982 , I Remember Nelson , Capt. Thomas Hardy , , 4 episodes ,


1984 , The Jewel in the Crown , Ronald Merrick , , Main Cast ,


1986 , Dead Man's Folly , Sir George Stubbs , Clive Donner , Television movie ,


1987 , Life Story , Francis Crick , Mick Jackson , 1988 BAFTA TV Award as the Best Single Drama ,


1990–93 , The Chief (British TV series) , Chief Constable John Stafford , , first two series ,


1994, 1995, 2000 , Battlefield , Narrator , , 3 series ,


2006 , Agatha Christie's Poirot , Dr. Lionel Woodward , , Series 10, Episode: Taken at the Flood ,


2007 , HolbyBlue , DCI Harry Hutchinson , , Series 1 ,


2013 , Downton Abbey , Sir Philip Tapsell , Jeremy Webb , ,


2011-14 , The Suspicions of Mr Whicher , Commissioner Mayne , , Screenplay by Helen Edmundson ,


2013 2013 , Wodehouse in Exile Silent Witness (S:16 Ep:1) , P.G. Wodehouse Businessman Biggs , Tim Fywell
, Screenplay by Nigel Williams Laura Mackie, Jessica Pope ,


2014 , 37 Days , Herbert Henry Asquith , Justin Hardy , TV 3-part miniseries ,


2015 , Inspector Lewis "One For Sorrow" , Jasper Hammond , Nicholas Laughland , Parts 1 and 2 ,