James Laurenson has died aged 84.
The Coronation Street and The Crown star had a stellar five-decade career and made TV history by sharing an on-screen gay kiss with Hollywood icon Ian Mckellen. His cause of death is yet to be confirmed but it has been reported he died last month.
He became a stalwart of television over the years. In 1968, Lauren took a guest role in Coronation Street as the Reverend Peter Hope of St Mary’s Church. Later on, he had significant roles in both State of Play and Spooks, and his numerous British credits included the usual suspects, among them the first Inspector Morse drama, The Dead of Jericho as well as Bergerac, Lovejoy, Taggart, Prime Suspect and Midsomer Murders.
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In the US he was seen in Cagney and Lacey and Remington Steele. In 1970, Laurenson helped to make television history in a Prospect Theatre Company production of Christopher Marlowe’s Edward II as Piers Gaveston consolidating his relationship with Ian McKellen’s king in television’s first gay kiss.
The production had opened at the 1969 Edinburgh Festival before moving to the West End, McKellen recalling that kissing Laurenson, who was not gay, “was a bonus throughout the run”. Following the sad news of his passing, fans have taken to X, formerly known as Twitter, to pay tribute to the actor. One fan penned: “Very sad to hear that James Laurenson has died. He was a wonderful actor and I count myself lucky that I saw him at the RSC a few times.
“He seemed like a gentle soul. His way with words was exemplary, giving feeling and resonance to pretty much any script he worked with. RIP.” Another added: “I’m very sorry to hear that superb actor James Laurenson has died. I saw him many times over the years on stage, and even if I did not much fancy the play, if his name was on the cast list, I bought a ticket. I was never disappointed. RIP.
In 2011, he was nominated for an Olivier award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of the Ghost and the Player King in Nicholas Hytner’s acclaimed production of Hamlet. In 2012, he played the Earl of Westmoreland in the BBC Two adaptations of Henry IV, Parts I and II and in 2013 he appeared as Professor Hilary Ambrose in Season 2, Episode 5 of the BBC One’s Father Brown series. In 2016, he played the role of John Weir in the Netflix series The Crown.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
