Actor Frank Grimes has sadly died at the age of 78.
The legendary star appeared as Barry Connor in Coronation Street between 2008 and 2015. He played the father of Kym Marsh’s Michelle Connor, Paul and Liam Connor and returned in 2015 for Michelle’s wedding to Steve McDonald.
He starred in major BBC shows such as Mrs Brown’s Boys and Father Brown, and films such as A Bridge Too Far (1977), The Funhouse (1981) and Royal Flash (1975). Frank reportedly died on August 1 following a short illness.
The Irish Cultural Centre announced Frank’s passing and hailed him as “one of Ireland’s greatest actors”. In a touching tribute, they said: “Frank was undoubtedly one of Ireland’s greatest actors, he was a dearly loved friend of the ICC’s and over the past three decades, he trod the ICC’s stage on so many occasions.
(Image: ITV)
“Anyone who saw Frank perform his riveting self-penned production ‘the he and the she of it…’ A Portrait of James Joyce’, will know what a thrilling, powerful, unforgettable performance it was! Frank performed this superb tribute to his hero James Joyce, on whom he was an expert, three times at the ICC, and each time, every night he received standing ovations!
They continued: “Frank was a spell-binding actor who had the most beautiful mesmerising voice and he often appeared on the radio show ‘Bright Side Of The Road.
“Frank was so warm hearted, full of Dublin wit and charm in abundance and he had a beautiful sparkle in his eyes. We know that Ireland has lost one of it’s truly great actors, the vintage of which is so rare and may never ever be matched again.
(Image: ITV)
They concluded: “We are so sad to have to say goodbye to Frank, but we are also so blessed to have known him, to have worked with him and seen him perform. We send our sincere condolences to his wife Ginnette, his daughter Tilly, his son Andrew, his seven grandchildren and to all his extended family. We also send our condolences to all of Frank’s friends and loved ones – May Frank sleep easy now.”
The Dublin-born actor appeared in several other soaps, including Casualty, The Bill, Holby City and Doctors. In 2013 he played Mr O’Leary in Mrs Brown’s Boys and Franc McCarthy in Father Brown that same year.
He trained at the city’s Abbey Theatre and starred in a number of stage productions there – such as Borstal Boy, based on the autobiography by Brendan Behan. When the production moved to Broadway, Frank was nominated for a Tony Award for best actor.
Paying tribute to Frank, they wrote: “A versatile actor, Frank performed in various productions on both the Abbey and Peacock stages from 1965 to 1972, including plays by Sean O’Casey, Lady Gregory, Oliver Goldsmith, Thomas Kilroy, J.M. Synge, Willliam Shakespeare, Bernard Shaw and Tom MacIntyre.
Sharing photos of the star, they continued: “He’s pictured here, on stage, as a young Brendan Behan in the 1967 world premiere of Borstal Boy by Brendan Behan, adapted by Frank McMahon; and alongside Niall Tóibín in the rehearsal room.
“Transferring to Broadway, the production of Borstal Boy at the Lyceum Theatre in New York won the Tony Award for Best play with a Best Actor in a Play nomination for Grimes.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
