Charles Augins obit

Charles Augins dead: BBC Red Dwarf star dies as heartbroken friend speaks out

After finding fame as Queeg in series two of the BBC sci-fi sitcom Red Dwarf, Charles Augins worked as an actor, dancer and choreographer and now fans have paid tribute to him

 

He was not on the list.

Red Dwarf star Charles Augins has died aged 81, it has been reported.

Charles was well known for playing the character Queeg 500 in season two of the BBC sci-fi series.

The multitalented star worked as an  actor, dancer and choreographer during his illustrious career and famously choreographed the iconic Tongue Tied dance, performed by Craig Charles, Chris Barrie and Danny John-Jules.

Charles, who was born in Virginia, USA, passed away on Saturday 19 July.

After the news of his death broke, his friend Courtney Baker Oliver took to Instgarm to pay a heartfelt tribute to the performer.

Courtney penned: 'Now an ancestor, Charles Augins, legendary choreographer, actor and vocalist was one of my most important mentors. He was the first person to support my work as a director and always encouraged me to dream bigger and say yes to every opportunity my gifts made room for.

'To me he was friend, inspiration, and surrogate father all in one. His presence on the scene kept me connected to #MikeMalone (his best friend since they were teenagers) though Mike’s been gone for almost twenty years now. Charles connected me with his friends all over the world, always took my calls and was a sounding board in some of my most challenging moments.

'While his passing from labour to reward is devastating in this moment, I can only imagine the production he, Mike, Kenneth, Lynda, Glenda, and Tony are staging in heaven. The script is on point, the choreography is epic, and the harmonies are tight — I’m quite sure.

'I love you Charles - you knew that. I’m so grateful I had the privilege to be in your life for nearly thirty years. You were magic and you always will be.'

Meanwhile, Red Dwarf's official fan club shared the sad news on X (formerly Twitter), writing: 'It is with deep sadness that we have learned of the passing of the acclaimed actor, dancer, choreographer, and educator Charles Augins (17 September 1943 – 19 July 2025).'

This prompted a plethora of tributes from devastated fans of the BBC show, with many sharing memories of his iconic character.

They penned: 'RIP Charles. Your chess moves will always be remembered in the iconic episode.'

'Oh no, not Queeg. My condolences.'

'I don't think I have ever laughed so hard as when I saw that episode the first time! Jape of the century indeed. RIP legend.'

'Aww nooo! That’s so sad.  a fine actor. RIP Charles.'

'Heartbroken. Queeg is my favourite Red Dwarf episode ever.'

As well as Red Dwarf, Charles' acting career has seen him appear in the likes of Blakes's 7, Labyrinth and The Tall Guy.

Acting wasn't his only passion, with Charles also carving out a career as a choreographer, with the star even bagging a Best Choreography Laurence Olivier Theatre Award in 1991  for Five Guys Named Moe. 

 

Director

Charles Augins, Louis Jordan, Trent Kendall, Monroe Kent III, Jason Pennycooke, Clarke Peters, Richard D. Sharp, Tommie Earl Jenkins, and Faruma Williams in Five Guys Named Moe (1995)

Five Guys Named Moe

7.7

Video

Director

1995

 

Actor

Griff Rhys Jones and Mel Smith in Alas Smith & Jones (1984)

Alas Smith & Jones

7.4

TV Series

1998

1 episode

 

In Exile (1998)

In Exile

7.5

TV Series

Choreographer

1998

1 episode

 

Treasure Island (1995)

Treasure Island

7.2

TV Movie

Blind Pew

1995

 

Capital City (1989)

Capital City

8.3

TV Series

Karel Kuplik

1989

1 episode

 

Rowan Atkinson, Jeff Goldblum, Emma Thompson, Kim Thomson, and Emil Wolk in The Tall Guy (1989)

The Tall Guy

6.2

Choreographer

1989

 

Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Ray Fearon, Danny John-Jules, Robert Llewellyn, and Norman Lovett in Red Dwarf (1988)

Red Dwarf

8.4

TV Series

Queeg

1988

1 episode

 

Jennifer Connelly, David Bowie, Frank Oz, Brian Henson, Marc Antona, Michael Attwell, David Alan Barclay, Sean Barrett, Timothy Bateson, Denise Bryer, Kevin Clash, Dave Goelz, Michael Hordern, Peter Marinker, Rob Mills, Ron Mueck, Toby Philpott, Karen Prell, David Shaughnessy, and Shari Weiser in Labyrinth (1986)

Labyrinth

7.3

Firey 2 (voice)

1986

 

Blake's 7 (1978)

Blake's 7

8.0

TV Series

Lod

1981

1 episode

 

Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978)

Revenge of the Pink Panther

6.6

Vic Vancouver

1978

 

Additional Crew

Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Ray Fearon, Danny John-Jules, Robert Llewellyn, and Norman Lovett in Red Dwarf (1988)

Red Dwarf

8.4

TV Series

choreographer

1988–1999

2 episodes

 

Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, and Robert Llewellyn in Red Dwarf: Smeg Outs (1995)

Red Dwarf: Smeg Outs

8.1

Video

choreographer

1995

 

Great Performances (1971)

Great Performances

7.9

TV Series

choreographer

1993

1 episode

 

American Playhouse (1980)

American Playhouse

7.3

TV Series

choreographer

1993

1 episode

 

Billy's Christmas Angels

TV Movie

choreographer

1988

 

Jennifer Connelly, David Bowie, Frank Oz, Brian Henson, Marc Antona, Michael Attwell, David Alan Barclay, Sean Barrett, Timothy Bateson, Denise Bryer, Kevin Clash, Dave Goelz, Michael Hordern, Peter Marinker, Rob Mills, Ron Mueck, Toby Philpott, Karen Prell, David Shaughnessy, and Shari Weiser in Labyrinth (1986)

Labyrinth

7.3

choreographer

1986

 

The Hot Shoe Show (1983)

The Hot Shoe Show

7.2

TV Series

guest choreographer

1984

3 episodes

 

Adam and the Ants: The Prince Charming Revue (1982)

Adam and the Ants: The Prince Charming Revue

Video

choreography (as Charles Augin)

1982

 

Thanks

Zoom (1972)

Zoom

7.7

TV Series

special thanks

1976

1 episode

 

Self

What's That Noise (1988)

What's That Noise

TV Series

Self

1988

1 episode

 

Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie in Inside the Labyrinth (1986)

Inside the Labyrinth

7.5

TV Movie

Self

1986

 

Six Fifty-Five Special (1981)

Six Fifty-Five Special

TV Series

Self

1983

1 episode

 

Archive Footage

Red Dwarf: The Doug Naylor Interview (2003)

Red Dwarf: The Doug Naylor Interview

7.2

Video

Queeg (archive footage, uncredited)

2003

 

Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, and Robert Llewellyn in Red Dwarf: Smeg Outs (1995)

Red Dwarf: Smeg Outs

8.1

Video

Queeg (archive footage)

1995

 

David Bowie: As the World Falls Down (1986)

David Bowie: As the World Falls Down

6.3

Music Video

Firey 2 (archive footage)

1986