Beaks here...
Renowned film and television actor Simon MacCorkindale has passed away at the age of fifty-eight after a lengthy battle with cancer. Though best known recently - to British audiences, at least - for his work on the BBC mainstay CASUALTY, MacCorkindale occupies a special place in the heart of genre fans for his performance as the shapeshifting crime fighter Professor Jonathan Chase aka MANIMAL. He also played Mikah in Albert Pyun's '80s cult classic THE SWORD AND THE SORCERER, Lucius in the amazing I, CLAUDIUS, the dashing Greg Reardon on FALCON CREST, and improbably assisted in the detonation of a Great White Shark as Philip FitzRoyce in JAWS 3-D.
A reader writing under the nom de plume Eskine Childers sent along a heartfelt tribute to MacCorkindale - who, according to The Telegraph's obituary, died in the arms of his wife, Susan George.
I've never sent in a contribution before, but feel that this time I have to. One of my favourite British actors, Simon MacCorkindale, has today very sadly died of cancer aged only 58. He went public last year with his illness, and although it's not a shock, it's still incredibly sad. MacCorkindale was in a slew of great geek roles, probably most famously as Manimal in the bizarre tv show of the early 80's, but he was also in the Sword and the Sorceror, Jaws 3D, Death on the Nile, and his break (and award-winning) role in 1978's Riddle of the Sands. I had the great privilege of meeting him two years ago after a theatre performance of Sleuth - in which he played the role originally made famous by Lawrence Olivier. To my great delight he signed my copy of The Sword and the Sorcerer.
MacCorkindale had a unique acting style that I often liken as a precursor of James Purefoy: a mix between British theatricality and a more US approach. That's a poor description, but it was always worth watching. He is survived by his family, including his wife, the wonderful Susan George, who readers of this site will know all too well. That's British acting royalty for you right there. He will be very sadly missed, and I hope talkbackers respect his memory and his family. Simon MacCorkindale - thank you and rest in peace.
Thanks for the remembrance, sir. Our condolences to Mr. MacCorkindale's loved ones.
I've never sent in a contribution before, but feel that this time I have to. One of my favourite British actors, Simon MacCorkindale, has today very sadly died of cancer aged only 58. He went public last year with his illness, and although it's not a shock, it's still incredibly sad. MacCorkindale was in a slew of great geek roles, probably most famously as Manimal in the bizarre tv show of the early 80's, but he was also in the Sword and the Sorceror, Jaws 3D, Death on the Nile, and his break (and award-winning) role in 1978's Riddle of the Sands. I had the great privilege of meeting him two years ago after a theatre performance of Sleuth - in which he played the role originally made famous by Lawrence Olivier. To my great delight he signed my copy of The Sword and the Sorcerer. MacCorkindale had a unique acting style that I often liken as a precursor of James Purefoy: a mix between British theatricality and a more US approach. That's a poor description, but it was always worth watching. He is survived by his family, including his wife, the wonderful Susan George, who readers of this site will know all too well. That's British acting royalty for you right there. He will be very sadly missed, and I hope talkbackers respect his memory and his family. Simon MacCorkindale - thank you and rest in peace.Thanks for the remembrance, sir. Our condolences to Mr. MacCorkindale's loved ones.
