Ian Richardson has died

[Milky Tears]

Just read about it five minutes ago:

House of Cards' Richardson dies

Actor Ian Richardson, best known for his role as scheming chief whip Francis Urquhart in the BBC's House of Cards, has died suddenly at the age of 72.
The stage and TV veteran has not been ill and had been due to begin filming an episode of ITV's Midsomer Murders next week, according to his agent.

Born in Edinburgh in 1934, he was an honorary associate artist of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

He recently appeared in the BBC's Bleak House and Sky One's Hogfather.

Famous for his sonorous voice and stern demeanour, he was made a CBE in 1989...

Full story below:


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6346301.stm

[SiHart]

Oh my goodness, what very sad and surprising news.

What a supreb actor he was.

Si xx

[Si Hunt]

I thought for a moment that was him from the Benny audios. But it's not, is it.

Si.

[Raston]

What a great shame, he was a truely wonderful actor. I watched the 'House of Cards' trilogy recently and he was astounding in every scene.

The acting profession is a lot poorer without him.


(its also a shame he never had a role in 'who' (apart from the introduction of 'daemons rising') he would have be superb and is just the sort of actor who could have added a lot to an episode)

[SiHart]

its also a shame he never had a role in 'who' (apart from the introduction of 'daemons rising') he would have be superb and is just the sort of actor who could have added a lot to an episode

I was thinking much the same. I was sure that would have been a role for sometime over the next few years in the new series.

Si xx

[Pamela]

Lousy news-I was a great fan, and had the luck to meet him at various theatres. The don't make 'em like that anymore!

[Pip Madeley]

I thought for a moment that was him from the Benny audios. But it's not, is it.

Si.

It's still sad, Si.

[Stephen Morgan]

I can only echo what everyone here has said. This is a truly sad and unexpected death.

[Larry]

very sad news he was a top quality actor - RIP..

[Captain Tancredi]

I thought for a moment that was him from the Benny audios. But it's not, is it.

Si.

No, that's his son Miles.

And so passes one of my fantasy Doctors- I think I first became aware of him in Porterhouse Blue but the other role of his that springs to mind is Joseph Bell in Murder Rooms.

[WhiteCrow]

Didn't he play Death at Christmas?

Bit of a shame though.

[Andrew Curnow]

He was in loads of stuff, but will always, always be Francis Urquhart. I remember the first time I watched House of Cards, and it really was compelling viewing because of that riveting performance.

RIP.

[Dave Tudor]

Very, very sad. A great actor, possessing a wonderfully distinctive voice. As others have said, I would have loved to have seen him in 'Who', but at least we are left with the fantastic Francis Urquhart in 'House Of Cards'.

"You may think that, but I couldn't possibly comment."

Rest in peace, Ian.