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January 30, 2012
Rest in the arms of the dragon
Best known as Merlin in John Boorman's Excalibur (1981) and Sherlock Holmes in The Seven-Per-Cent Solution (1976), Nicol Williamson has died.
Valerie J. Nelson: Nicol Williamson dies at 75; legendary British actor.
Once heralded as the greatest British actor of his generation, Nicol Williamson was also a legend for stormy onstage behavior that included calling off a performance of "Hamlet" mid-speech because he was too tired to go on.
"I'll pay for the seats," he later recalled telling the audience in 1969, "but I won't shortchange you by not giving my best." And then he walked off.
"I'll pay for the seats," he later recalled telling the audience in 1969, "but I won't shortchange you by not giving my best." And then he walked off.
Michael Riedel: Actor was sword of volatile. Antics at the link.
In London, Nicol Williamson is remembered for celebrated performances in “Hamlet,” “Waiting for Godot” and “Inadmissible Evidence.” But around Broadway, he’ll always be remembered for his bizarre — sometimes hilarious — antics, onstage and off.
Tim Walker: Excalibur star Nicol Williamson has just six mourners at his funeral.
Mandrake disclosed on Wednesday that the actor had died in Holland, aged 73. “He was adamant that there should be no fuss,” his son, Luke, tells me.
The star of Excalibur, whose former lovers include Dame Helen Mirren and Marianne Faithfull, fought what Luke describes as a “brave battle” against cancer for two years. “He said he didn’t want any big announcement. He hated the idea of people who didn’t know him putting together pieces about him by 'Googling’ and 'cut-and-pasting’ stuff.”
The star of Excalibur, whose former lovers include Dame Helen Mirren and Marianne Faithfull, fought what Luke describes as a “brave battle” against cancer for two years. “He said he didn’t want any big announcement. He hated the idea of people who didn’t know him putting together pieces about him by 'Googling’ and 'cut-and-pasting’ stuff.”
With apologies for cutting and pasting this stuff. And with respect for Helen Mirren and Marianne Faithfull.
Posted by Ghost of a flea at January 30, 2012 06:28 AM