Ian Gelder has passed away. The talented actor, best known for his role as Kevan Lannister in the series "Game of Thrones," was 74.
His husband and fellow actor Ben Daniels shared the news of Ian Gelder's death on Instagram. Gelder lost his life at the age of 74 on Monday, May 6, succumbing to bile duct cancer just five months after his diagnosis.
"I’d stopped all work to be his carer but neither of us had any idea that it would all be so fast. He was my absolute rock and we’d been partners for more than 30 years. If we weren’t together we spoke to each other everyday. He was the kindest, most generous spirited and loving human being. He was a wonderful wonderful actor and everyone who worked with him was touched by his heart and light." Daniels expressed.
"I honestly don’t know what I’ll do without him by my side. He coped with his dreadful illness with such bravery, with no self pity. Ever. He was remarkable and will be so missed. This pic was taken at Christmas time after I’d got him out of hospital and even though he’d gone through the worst three weeks there you can still see his joy and love shining through." Daniels continued in his post.
Ian Gelder - A Lifelong Passion for Acting
Born in 1949, Gelder embarked on his acting journey in the 1970s. Primarily featuring in television shows and movies, his appearances in cinema were rare, with “King Ralph” alongside John Goodman being one of the notable exceptions. True to the tradition in the UK, he had a profound connection with the theater, performing in various Shakespearean plays.
Gelder gained wider recognition in 2011 when he joined the cast of "Game of Thrones" as Kevan Lannister, appearing in 12 episodes until season 6. He later joined the cast of "His Dark Materials" in 2019, a series adapted from Philip Pullman's bestselling trilogy. In 2020, "Doctor Who" fans saw him in the twelfth season of the show.
Remembering Bernard Hill
On May 5, the film industry lost another celebrated British actor, Bernard Hill, aged 79. Hill's agent, Lou Coulson, announced his passing. Hill was celebrated for his roles in "Titanic" as Captain Edward James Smith and in "The Lord of the Rings" as Théoden, King of Rohan.
While the cause of Hill's death remains undisclosed, it underscores a troubling spate of losses within the English acting community.
