EXCALIBUR Star NICOL WILLIAMSON Dies – Aged 73!
Scottish star Nicol Williamson, best known for playing the wizard Merlin in the 1981 film cult classic ‘Excalibur‘, has died aged 75. His family confirmed the actor passed away from oesophageal cancer shortly before Christmas – the BBC News reports!
The respected stage actor, who died in Amsterdam, was nominated for his first Tony Award in 1966, for ‘Inadmissible Evidence‘, and he made his professional stage debut in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream‘ at the Royal Court Theatre. He later starred in a production of Hamlet at the Roundhouse – which was so successful it was adapted for the big screen in a movie starring Anthony Hopkins and Marianne Faithfull.
Playwright John Osborne famously dubbed Williamson as “the greatest actor since Marlon Brando”.
In a statement announcing the passing on the star’s website, his son Luke wrote:
“It’s with great sadness, and yet with a heart full of pride and love for a man who was a tremendous father, friend, actor, poet, writer and singer, that I must bring news of Nicol’s passing”.
Reflecting on the actor’s final moments, Luke went on to add that his father died “peacefully” and that his last words were “I love you”.
Williamson, survived by his wife Jill Townsend, made his last screen appearance in the 1997 thriller ‘Spawn‘, starring opposite Hollywood star Martin Sheen!
Nicol Williamson – R.I.P.
