Doctor Who star Maurice Roeves has died at the age of 83, his agent announced today.
The Scottish actor, who was born in Sunderland, was confirmed to have passed away by Lovett Logan Associates.
His wife of 19 years Vanessa Rawlings-Jackson said that he had been in ill health for some time.
A statement from his agents said: ‘It is with great sadness that we can confirm the passing of our wonderful client #MauriceRoeves.
‘Maurice had a hugely successful career in both theatre and screen which spanned several decades, starting in his home country of Scotland and moving to London and the United States.
‘He was loved by his legions of fans for many of his performances, including Vince Diver in Tutti Frutti, Stotz in Doctor Who, a Romulan captain in Star Trek and Colonel Edmund Munro in The Last Of The Mohicans.
‘Maurice loved nothing more than being on set with his fellow actors and worked right up until the end, recently being seen in the BBC series The Nest at the start of this year.
‘As well as being a truly dedicated and gifted actor, he was also a real gentleman and a delight to have as a client. We will miss him greatly and our thoughts and love go out to Vanessa and his family.’
Maurice Roeves (pictured left with Phil Mitchell in EastEnders) has died at the age of 83, his agent has said
The Scottish actor (left in The Damned United), who was born in Sunderland, was confirmed to have passed away by acting agents Lovett Logan Associates
Legendary actor Roeves also starred in The Last Of The Mohicans (pictured above)
Roeves (pictured in 2011), whose career spanned 60 years, played Vince Diver in Tutti Frutti, the mercenary Stotz in the classic series of Doctor Who and Colonel Munro in Michael Mann’s big screen version of The Last Of The Mohicans, and was most recently seen in the BBC drama The Nest
Roeves, whose career spanned 60 years, played Vince Diver in Tutti Frutti, the mercenary Stotz in the classic series of Doctor Who and Colonel Munro in Michael Mann’s big screen version of The Last Of The Mohicans.
He also starred in EastEnders in 2003 and made appearances in the 1995 movie version of Judge Dredd, the TV adaptation of Vanity Fair and other shows such as Casualty and Holby City, and most recently in the BBC drama The Nest.
Having been born in Sunderland, Roeves’s family moved him to Scotland where he grew up from the age of seven.
He was raised in Glasgow – where his father owned a cotton mill – and it was at the city’s Citizen’s Theatre where he started his six-decade career.
But after leaving school he made a living in an office job, before going to the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, where he got a gold medal for his acting.
Roeves joined the Citizens Theatre as an Assistant Stage Manager after graduating – cleaning the floor – but ended up picking up small roles.
He was renown for playing tough characters on screen, but his widow Ms Rawlings-Jackson said he was a ‘softie’ in real life.
Having been born in Sunderland, Roeves’s family moved him to Scotland where he grew up from the age of seven
He was renown for playing tough characters on screen, but his widow Vanessa Rawlings-Jackson said he was a ‘softie’ in real life. Pictured in Reach For The Moon
Tributes flooded in on Wednesday afternoon, with Director Paul Carmichael saying he was ‘one of the nicest people’ he had met
Actor Roeves is pictured at The Damned United film premiere in London in March 2009
Tributes flooded in on Wednesday afternoon, with Director Paul Carmichael saying he was ‘one of the nicest people’ he had met.
He said: ‘Maurice Roeves has died. An incredibly powerful actor. Last time I saw him he was being chilling on River City.
‘I met him once, outside a hotel in London. One of the nicest people I’ve ever chatted to. RIP.’
Actor Ian Whyte commented: ‘Deeply saddening news of the passing of Maurice Roeves.
‘I met him at the launch of Harrigan in 2013. He was thoroughly, charming, engaging and a wonderful raconteur.
‘Fond memories of wine and talking at length about Last of the Mohicans. Rest in Peace.’
Scot Williams, who starred with him in Hillsborough, posted today: ‘RIP Maurice Roeves.
‘A stunning actor and former colleague who took on the incredibly challenging role of David Duckenfield in Jimmy McGoverns Hillsborough.’
Mr Williams added: ‘We thank him for his work on this project and his lengthy filmography.
Roeves is survived by his wife Ms Rawlings-Jackson, whom he married in 2001.
Roeves (pictured in 2009) is survived by his wife Ms Rawlings-Jackson, whom he married in 2001
The celebrated thespian is pictured in a promotional shot for the television series Lytton’s Diary