Excalibur star Nicol Williamson dies in penury

[The Straight Story]

Barely three months after Inadmissible Evidence, the John Osborne play that made his name, was revived in London, Nicol Williamson has died, aged 73, in Holland.

The colourful Scot – who was described by Osborne as the greatest actor since Marlon Brando, and, by Samuel Beckett, as “touched by genius” – had not made a film since 1997’s superhero picture Spawn. He had, in recent years, been concentrating on music.

His son, Luke, by his former wife Jill Townsend, tells Mandrake that he died just before Christmas after a two-year fight with oesophageal cancer and was eager that no fuss should be made about his passing. To modern filmgoers, he is probably best known for The Exorcist III and for playing Merlin in Excalibur.

John Boorman, the director, cast him in the latter film opposite his former lover Helen Mirren, to the dismay of both actors. The pair had previously appeared together, disastrously, in Macbeth.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/9036632/Excalibur-star-Nicol-Williamson-dies-in-penury.html

[BOHICA12]

1. anal nathrak, uthvas bethud, do che-ol di-enve

Sleep with the Dragon - you good and faithful Wizard!

[Bonobo]

2. He was a favorite actor of mine.

Brilliant in many films, including his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in the 7 Percent Solution.

[WCGreen]

4. That's the one I was thinking about...

But Excalaber was very good.

[Norrin Radd]

3. Great actor. Condolences to his family.