Actor Murray Melvin who worked with Michael Caine, Stanley Kubrick and Ken Russell and appeared in dozens of films, including A Taste of Honey and Alfie, has died at the age of 90
- Melvin is known for his work in movies: A Taste of Honey, Alfie and Barry Lyndon
- A close friend says he “never fully recovered” from a fall in December
Legendary actor Murray Melvin, who worked with Michael Caine and Stanley Kubrick, among others, has died at the age of 90.
Born on August 10, 1932 in London, the English actor starred in the Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood and was known for his work with Joan Littlewood, Ken Russell and Stanley Kubrick.
He made his stage debut in 1957 at the Theater Royal in Stratford for Macbeth.
He then starred in films such as Alfie (1966) alongside Michael Caine, Barry Lyndon (1975) and The Phantom of the Opera (2004).
Tributes are pouring in on social media for Melvin, who won the BAFTA Film Award for Most Promising Newcomer and Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival for his role in A Taste of Honey (1961).
Actor Murray Melvin has died at the age of 90 after a career with Stanley Kubrick and Ken Russell, among others
Melvin appeared alongside Sir Michael Caine in Alfie (1966) as Nat, directed by Lewis Gilbert
Kerry Kyriacos Michael MBE, creative director at Theatro Technis, said on Twitter: ‘It is with great sadness that I must announce the death of Murray Melvin – actor, director and theater archivist.
“He fell in December, from which he never fully recovered. He died on Friday, April 14 at St. Thomas’ Hospital at the age of 90. He was one of my best friends and will be missed by so many of us who had the privilege of knowing him.”
Actor Ricky J Norwood also offered his condolences on social media, adding, “This is terrible news. Murray Melvin always had time for us in youth theater and always defended us to succeed in the business.
“This is a very sad loss. My love for his family and friends. RIP Murray, I know you’ll be treading the boards for the big man up there.”
British journalist Samira Ahmed, writer and broadcaster at the BBC, posted: ‘Murray Melvin: actor, director, Theater Workshop alumnus, archivist and beautiful man, passed away yesterday.
‘He was 90. I was so lucky to call him my friend. I saw him the day before he died and he was always full of great stories from his life. I will miss him so much.
“He had such a great impact on everyone who met him.”
Writers on Film host John Bleasdale also reviewed Melvin’s work as an actor: ‘He’s probably best known for his work in Barry Lyndon and The Devils. But his role in Tony Richardson’s Taste of Honey was really groundbreaking and beautiful because he painted a real human portrait of a gay man.’
Melvin pictured with Barbara Windsor and Sir Robin Andrew Wales
In addition to working with Caine and Kubrick, Melvin was also known for his work in such films as HMS Defiant (1962), Sparrows Can’t Sing (1963), Kaleidoscope (1966) and Smashing Time (1967).
He also starred in The Devils (1971), Ghost Story (1974), Joseph Andrews (1977), Ghost in the Noonday Sun (1985), and The Lost City of Z (2017).