Iconic actor Patrick Godfrey, who appeared on both the big and small screen with roles in the likes of Doctor Who, Les Miserables and Ever After: A Cinerella story, has died aged 93. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Thursday.
His agency, Markham, Froggatt and Irwin, said in a statement: "It is with great sadness that we can confirm Patrick Godfrey passed away last night. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family. Paddy was an exceptionally talented actor and a remarkable individual, and we will miss him greatly."
No cause of death was revealed.
The star's remarkable seven-decade career began at the age of 23 when he won a Carleton Hobbs Bursary Award, which earned him a six-month contract with the BBC’s Radio Drama Company.
He made his on-screen debut in a 1959 episode of the 13-part family comedy-drama series Sunday’s Child.
Over the decades, he appeared in multiple TV shows, including two episodes of the BBC's long-running sci-fi drama Doctor Who, as Tor in The Savages in 1966 and Major Cosworth in The Mind of Evil in 1971. He also had roles in Midsomer Murders, Doc Martin and His Dark Materials.
On the big screen. he had roles in hit movies A Room with a View (1985), Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998), The Count of Monte Cristo (2002), The Importance of Being Earnest (2002), Oliver Twist (2005), The History Boys (2006), The Duchess (2008), Breathe (2017) and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle (2018).
He also embraced stage work, starring on Broadway in The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby in 1981, and on the West End in As You Like It in 2016 and Witness for the Prosecution in 2021.
Alongside this, he provided voiceovers on the video games BioShock 2 (2010), Red Dead Redemption (2010) and Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018).
His neighbour Bill Rosenfield posted a touching tribute to the star after the news broke. "Our wonderful next-door neighbour Patrick Godfrey passed away peacefully last night," he wrote. "He was 93 years old. Our hearts go out to our friends: his wife, Amanda Walker and their children, Kate and Richard.
"With a theatrical career spanning nearly 70 years (!) Patrick is a prime example of what it means to be a 'working actor'. Over those decades, you’ve seen him countless times ... it is a rich rollercoaster of a career, one which any actor would be proud to call their own.
"Patrick was a wonderful man, a fine actor and a great friend. Rest in peace, dear man."
Others also shared their memories. "My dear friend for nearly 60 years since we both worked at the RSC. Many fun times and much kindness from himself and his lovely wife, Amanda. R.I.P. Paddy, you will be much missed," one wrote.
Another said: "I had the pleasure of touring with Patrick, who was an inspiration with this professionalism and humor ... and what a career!
"Condolences to Amanda, the children and all whose lives he touched."
Meanwhile, another simply commented: "What a legacy! May his memory always be a blessing."
