'GENTLE AND GIFTED'
Brent Carver dead at 68 – Tony-winning Broadway star passes away at home in British Columbia
TONY award-winning actor Brent Carver has died aged 68, his family have announced.
A statement said Carver, known as the star of Broadway's Kiss of the Spider Woman, died on Tuesday at his home in Cranbrook, British Columbia.
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Carver launched his stage career in his native Canada in 1972, and went on to feature in dozens of theatre as well as TV and film productions.
In 1993, he won the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for playing Molina in Kiss of the Spider Woman, and later starred as Leo Frank in 1998 hit show Parade.
He also appeared alongside Anthony Hopkins in a production of Shakespeare's The Tempest and Orlando Bloom in Romeo and Juliet.
Further details about his death are yet to be released.
A statement from Carver's family read: "Our family is sharing news of Brent Carver's passing on Aug 4 at home in Cranbrook, BC, his birthplace and favourite place on Earth.
"Blessed with many talents and a natural love of theatre, Brent was always known as a first-class performer, unique in the presentation of his craft, delighting audiences through film, TV, stage and concert performances.
"Brent, in his humble fashion, will be remembered as the kind, gentle and gifted man he was, with the deepest love as a true friend and family member.
"His love of performing was matched only by his zest for life and lifetime devotion to family, friends and treasured pets.
"Thank you to the performing arts community for embracing our Brent and helping him fulfill his dreams with joy in his heart. Brent will be missed."
'A COMPELLING, OTHERWORLDLY PERFORMER'
Carver's death has sparked tributes from across the world of stage and screen.
Kiss of the Spider Woman co-star Chita Rivera said: "My heart is broken at the loss of my great friend and amazing artist Brent Carver.
"I shall miss him more than I can say."
Fellow Canadian and Will & Grace star Eric McCormack said of Carver: "Just gutted to hear this.
"Every show I did with Brent, every time I saw him perform, I learned something.
"Laughter or sadness, he’d leave you in tears one way or the other. A breathtaking talent and a beautiful soul."
Sex and the City's Kim Cattrall, with whom Carver starred in 1979 film Crossbar, shared a photo of the two together and wrote: "Loss of a great actor and a gentle soul. RIP x"
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Jason Robert Brown, who wrote the music and lyrics to Parade, shared an old photo of Carver on twitter, writing simply: "In memory of the great Brent Carver."
J. Kelly Nestruck, a theatre critic for Canada's Globe and Mail, said Carver was a "completely unique talent" and "an utterly compelling, otherworldly performer".
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