Torchwood actor Murray Melvin dies, tributes pour in
It has been confirmed that Murray Melvin died at the age of 90.
The beloved actor was well known for his roles in the Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood, as well as Monsieur Reyer in the 2004 film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical The Phantom of the Opera.
Murray was also a famous author, publishing books on the craft of acting including The Theatre Royal, A History of the Building and The Art of Theatre Workshop.
Over his illustrious career in acting Murray earned a plethora of A-list friends, all of which shared their messages of support for each other and tributes to their late friend over social media.
Kerry Kyriacos Michael, creative director at Theatro Technis, said on Twitter: “It’s with great sadness that I have to announce the death of Murray Melvin – actor, director and theatre archivist.
“He had a fall in December, from which he never fully recovered. He died at St Thomas’ Hospital on Friday, 14th April, aged 90. He was one of my closest friends and will be missed by so many of us who had the privilege to know him.”
Doctor Who boss Russel T Davies wrote on Instagram: “Murray Melvin, bless him, he played the wonderful villain in Torchwood, Bilis Manger, and he loved it! But what a career!
“He created the great, gay Geoffrey in A Taste of Honey, on stage and on film. Tons of work with Joan Littlewood and Ken Russell. Amazing. Such a gent.
“He lived through a century that saw the understanding of his identity change so profoundly, and he did so with dignity, class and wit.”
Writer Matthew Sweet penned: “Icon, gentleman. RIP Murray Melvin, actor, archivist, fragment of the pre-Baroque, Geoff from Salford. Utterly unique.”
Journalist Samira Ahmed added: “Murray Melvin: actor, director, Theatre Workshop alumnus, archivist and beautiful man, died yesterday. He was 90. I was so lucky to call him my friend. I saw him the day before he died and he was always full of amazing stories from his life. I will miss him so much.”
Arguably one of the most tear-jerking messages came from Theatre Stratford East as it was revealed just how much of an impact Murray had had on the venue.
The theatre’s Twitter account shared: “From 1957, he was a member of Joan Littlewood’s company Theatre Workshop where he acted in numerous roles, including in A Taste of Honey and Oh What a Lovely War.
“Murray continued to be a passionate advocate of our theatre, he was on the Board for 20 years, and dedicated much of his time in the last 30 years to the development and organisation of a rich theatre archive, which he painstakingly completed in early 2020.”
The tribute finished: “He will be greatly missed, although never forgotten.”
Many shared memories from fans echoed the sentiments of Jonathan Harvey who wrote on Twitter: “RIP the brilliant Murray Melvin. When I first saw him as Geoffrey in A Taste of Honey it was the first time I’d seen a gay character portrayed so truthfully in a film. A pioneer! On whose shoulders we stand x
His breakout film role in 1961’s A Taste of Honey earned Murray a BAFTA for Most Promising Newcomer and Cannes Film Festival Best Actor award.
Source: Read Full Article