Jimmy Martin obit

Tributes paid as Still Game 'Eric' star Jimmy Martin passes away

 

He was not on the list.

Tributes have been paid to the actor James Martin following his death at the age of 93. 

James – more affectionately known as Jimmy- played the character ‘Auld Eric’ in the long-running Scottish sitcom. 

One of the few actual pensioners in the cast, he had appeared in numerous other television programmes before joining the show. 

Still Game director Michael Hines broke the news to fans on social media, posting a picture of the actor with the tribute: "Just to let all the Still Game fans out there that Jimmy Martin ‘Eric’ passed away today.

"He was a wonderful actor and I was honoured to call him pal."

Fans of the show left comments to honouring a man they described as an "absolute legend".

One wrote: "Met him on a couple of occasions, absolute gentleman."

Click here to read one of Jimmy Martin's last interviews

Mr Martin bowed out of the hit BBC Scotland comedy series in 2018. The Glasgow-born actor, had been part of the cast since the show began in 2002.

His departure coincided with the arrival of funeral director Iain Duncan Sheathing whose appearance had struck fear into the heart of the Craiglang community.

Eric became the first customer – or victim – for the creepy new undertaker, played by comedian Bruce Morton.

Mr Martin had revealed that he approached Still Game co-creators Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill about leaving when the duo started writing the eighth.

"I asked to be written out," he said, adding that his wife Christine had convinced him it was time to take things a bit easier in life.

"She said: 'C'mon, let's call it a day.' I've been an actor since the late 1960s. I have done everything."

Actor

Istan Radoslav Rozumnyj and Tetyana Lavrushko in Saving Hearts (2024)

Saving Hearts

10

TV Mini Series

2024

10 episodes

 

Still Game (2002)

Still Game

8.9

TV Series

Eric

Eric Jones

2002–2018

47 episodes

 

Johnny Flynn, Antonia Thomas, and Daniel Ings in Lovesick (2014)

Lovesick

8.0

TV Series

Neighbour

2014

1 episode

 

Gregor Fisher in Rab C. Nesbitt (1988)

Rab C. Nesbitt

7.5

TV Series

Jackie

2011

1 episode

 

Robert Bathurst, Ruth Jones, and Aidan Turner in Hattie (2011)

Hattie

6.8

TV Movie

Reg

2011

 

Mr. Scott (2010)

Mr. Scott

Short

Mr. Scott

2010

 

Dan Clark in How Not to Live Your Life (2007)

How Not to Live Your Life

8.3

TV Series

Charity Shop Worker

2010

1 episode

 

Alfonso

Short

Alfonso

2009

 

Relatively PC

1.1

Short

Tommy

2009

 

James Martin in Saltmark (2008)

Saltmark

Short

Grandfather

2008

 

Mark McManus in Taggart (1983)

Taggart

7.4

TV Series

Billy Watson

Paul

Gas Worker ...

1988–2008

4 episodes

 

Brian McCardie in Solid Air (2003)

Solid Air

4.0

Todd

2003

 

Dancer (2003)

Dancer

8.1

Short

Old Man

2003

 

Living in Hope (2002)

Living in Hope

4.9

Sickie

2002

 

Richard Briers, Susan Hampshire, and Alastair Mackenzie in Monarch of the Glen (2000)

Monarch of the Glen

7.7

TV Series

Robbie

2001

1 episode

 

Carmelo y yo

7.9

Stewart

2000

 

Colin Firth in Donovan Quick (2000)

Donovan Quick

7.2

TV Movie

Elderly Man

2000

 

Richard Madden and Toyah Willcox in Barmy Aunt Boomerang (1999)

Barmy Aunt Boomerang

5.7

TV Series

Grandpa

1999–2000

 

Screen One (1985)

Screen One

6.7

TV Series

Sheriff

1996

1 episode

 

Doctor Finlay (1993)

Doctor Finlay

7.6

TV Series

Mr. McNeal

1995

1 episode

 

Bunch of Five (1992)

Bunch of Five

7.5

TV Series

Priest

1992

1 episode

 

Robert Carlyle, Rachel Weisz, and Michael Kitchen in The Advocates (1991)

The Advocates

5.8

TV Series

Office Runner

1991

1 episode

 

The Justice Game (1989)

The Justice Game

7.6

TV Series

Clerk of Court

1989

1 episode

 

James Kennedy and Andrew McPherson in Why Do They Call it Good Friday? (1985)

Why Do They Call it Good Friday?

TV Movie

Workman

1985

 

King's Royal (1982)

King's Royal

8.6

TV Series

Distillery foreman

1983

1 episode

 

Terrence Hardiman and Jack McKenzie in Skorpion (1983)

Skorpion

7.1

TV Mini Series

Fraser

1983

1 episode

 

Kirsty Miller in Maggie (1981)

Maggie

8.1

TV Series

Minister

1982

1 episode

 

Archive Footage

Greg Hemphill and Ford Kiernan in Still Game: The Story So Far (2014)

Still Game: The Story So Far

8.5

TV Movie

Eric (archive footage)

2014