John Stahl obit

John Stahl death: Game of Thrones actor dies aged 68

Actor starred in performances by The Royal Shakespeare Company and The National Theatre

 

He was not on the list.

Game of Thrones star John Stahl has died aged 68.

The Scottish actor died on the Isle of Lewis on 2 March. A cause of death is yet to be disclosed.

News of Stahl’s death was confirmed by his agent, who described him as “an actor of remarkable skill and a stalwart of Scottish theatre”.

Fans of the HBO fantasy drama will recognise Stahl from his role as Rickard Karstark. He appeared in five episodes of Game of Thrones.

Stahl – who was from Sauchie in Clackmannanshire – is also known for his performance as Tom “Inverdarroch” Kerr in the long-running British soap Take the High Road.

The actor was also a theatre regular, having appeared in performances at The Royal Shakespeare Company and The National Theatre.

Following news of his death, the Scottish screenwriter Peter May (Squadron and Machair) remembered Stahl fondly.

“Terribly sad to hear that my old friend, John Stahl, has passed. I wrote so many scenes for the character of Inverdarroch that he portrayed in Take The High Road,” said May.

“Only recently attended his online wedding. Saw him last in Adelaide, Australia, for a fun reunion. RIP John.”

Writer Ian Rankin – who is best known for his Inspector Rebus novels – said he had hoped to work with Stahl again.

The actor starred in Rankin’s 2018 play Long Shadows, delivering a performance that the writer described as “terrifying and charismatic”.

 

The National Theatre of Scotland also paid tribute to the late actor, writing: “We were fortunate to work with John on Mary Stuart and The James Plays.

“His passing is a huge loss to the industry, and he will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.”

Stahl is survived by his wife, Jane Paton.

Filmography

Film

Year       Title       Role       Notes

1979      A Sense of Freedom        Det. Sergeant Williamson            

1989      Albert and the Lion          Forsyth                 (TV Movie)

1995      Jolly: A Life          Moderator          (TV Movie)

1996      Loch Ness            First Fisherman

2010      Vocation              Robert Herzfeld                (Short)

2017      Victoria & Abdul               Ghillie  

2018      Mary Queen of Scots      Fisherman          

2021      A Castle for Christmas    Solicitor               

Television

Year       Title       Role       Notes

1976      Garnock Way     Police Constible Schoular              1 episode

1977      The Mackinnons               Manager / Receptionist 2 episodes

1982–2003          High Road            Tom 'Inverdarroch' Kerr                 114 episodes

1994      Taggart                 Tom Fleming      1 episode

1994      Crime Story         Det. Insp. Brian Steer      1 episode

1995      The Tales of Para Handy                Robertson           1 episode

1995      Resort to Murder             Inspector Reed 5 episodes

1996      Doctor Finlay      Robbie Cuthbertson        1 episode

2001      Murder Rooms: Mysteries of the Real Sherlock Holmes   Supt. Milford      1 episode

2003      Doctors                Fred Griffiths      1 episode

2007      Rebus    Rev Andrew McLeod       1 episode

2008–2011          Holby City            Jasper Glenn / Mick Hales             2 episodes

2010      Being Human     Quinn    3 episodes

2012–2013          Game of Thrones              Rickard Karstark                5 episodes: "A Man Without Honor", "The Prince of Winterfell", "Valar Dohaeris", "Dark Wings, Dark Words" and "Kissed by Fire"

2016      Shetland              Eric the Boatman              1 episode

2019      Midsomer Murders         Damian Lint        1 episode