Pigott-Smith dies before play starts in Northampton

Published: 9 April 2017
Reporter: Steve Orme

Tim Pigott-Smith as King Charles III Credit: Johan Persson

Tim Pigott-Smith OBE has died at the age of 70 just before the start of a run of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman at Northampton’s Royal and Derngate.

His agent John Grant announced that Pigott-Smith died on Friday 7 April. He said, “Tim was one of the great actors of his generation. Much loved and admired by his peers, he will be remembered by many as a gentleman and a true friend. He will be much missed.”

Royal and Derngate’s chief executive Martin Sutherland and artistic director James Dacre said, “everyone at Royal and Derngate and all involved with the production of Death Of A Salesman are deeply saddened by this tragic news. Our heartfelt sympathies at this time are with Tim’s wife Pamela and their family.”

Tim Pigott-Smith was born on 13 May 1946 in Warwickshire. He trained at Bristol Old Vic. He became a household name after appearing in the 1984 TV series The Jewel in the Crown for which he won the BAFTA award for best actor. He went on to become a familiar face on film, TV and stage.

His performance as Charles in Mike Bartlett’s play King Charles III at the Almeida Theatre, in the West End and on Broadway won him Olivier and Tony Award nominations. The play has been made in to a TV film which will be broadcast on BBC2 later this year. He was awarded an OBE in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to drama.

Death of a Salesman was due to start on Saturday 8 April, with Pigott-Smith playing Willy Loman. But its opening was postponed because Pigott-Smith’s wife Pamela Miles who was to play Linda Loman pulled out after breaking a bone during rehearsals. The new starting date was supposed to be Monday 10 April. The play was scheduled run until 29 April and then go on tour until July.

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