Who was Tim Pigott-Smith? King Charles III star who died aged 70 – all you need to know
TIM Pigott-Smith, the British actor who starred in many of our TV favourites including Jewel in the Crown and Downton Abbey died on April 7 aged 70.
His death was confirmed by his agent who said Tim was "one of the great actors of his generation."
Tim filmed BBC2 drama, Charles III before his death and the drama will air on May 10 at 9pm.
The drama imagines what could happen when Charles accedes the throne after the Queen dies.
Who was Tim Pigott-Smith?
Tim Pigott- Smith was born in 1946 in Rugby, Warwickshire.
His father was a journalist and Tim attended Bristol University and then trained as an actor at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
He married actress Pamela Miles in 1972 and they have one son, Tom Pigott-Smith, who is a concert violinist.
In the 2017 New Year Honours he received an OBE for services to drama.
What is Tim Pigott-Smith's theatre history?
A classical stage and TV actor his career on stage took off in 1974 when he made his Broadway debut in Sherlock Holmes as Dr Watson.
He has appeared opposite many English theatre stars during his career, including Dame Judi Dench, Dame Helen Mirren, Geraldine James, Margaret Tyzack and Patrick Stewart.
He formed his own theatre company and has directed several major productions including Hamlet.
A regular Shakespearean actor he counts King Lear and Henry IV among his many roles.
In 2014 he received a nomination for the Olivier Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of King Charles III, and that role also gave him his first Tony Award nomination for its production on Broadway in 2015.
He was scheduled to appear in a production of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman opening in Northampton on Monday.
Pigott-Smith's wife, Pamela was due to appear opposite him in the play, however she was forced to pull out of the production when she broke a bone during rehearsals which needed surgery.
What TV shows has Tim Pigott-Smith appeared in?
Pigott-Smith is best known for his leading role of Ronald Merrick in the 1984 series The Jewel In The Crown for which he received a Bafta.
He also made appearances in The Chief, The Vice, Bloody Sunday, Doctor Who and in two separate adaptations of North and South.
He appeared in series three of Downton Abbey as Sir Philip Tapsell.
He has already filmed the forthcoming BBC Two drama King Charles III (following its successful run on stage), which depicts Charles as the monarch after the Queen's death.
The drama will premiere on Wednesday, May 10 at 9pm on BBC Two.
King Charles III is described as a “future-history” drama that imagines Prince Charles’ accession to the throne following the Queen’s death. When he refuses to sign a controversial bill into law, political chaos ensues: a constitutional crisis, rioting on the streets and a tank in front of Buckingham Palace.
Oliver Chris stars as Prince William, Richard Goulding plays Prince Harry, Margot Leicester is Camilla Parker Bowles and Peaky Blinders star Charlotte Riley will star as Kate Middleton.
What films has Tim Pigott-Smith been in?
He is lesser known for his film roles, but appearances include Gangs of New York, Johnny English, The Remains of the Day and V for Vendetta.
Tim appeared in the 2008 James Bond film Quantum of Solace as the Foreign Secretary.
6 Days, a film about the Iranian embassy hostage situation in 1980 starring Tim with Jamie Bell and Mark Strong has been completed.
Stephen Frears's new film Victoria and Abdul which also stars Judi Dench and Michael Gambon is due for release in the UK in September.
