Stage and Television Actor Nigel Terry Dies at 69

The actor is mostly remembered for portraying King Arthur in 1981 film “Excalibur”

Actor Nigel Terry who was best known for his portrayal of King Arthur in 1981 film “Excalibur” died at the age of 69. He had been suffering from emphysema, the Guardian reports.

Nigel Terry made his film debut in 1968 with “The Lion in Winter” where he played the young prince John alongside Peter O’Toole and Katherine Hepburn. The film also marked the debut of Hollywood actors Anthony Hopkins and Timothy Dalton. Unlike fellow debutantes, Nigel could not appear in any film for the next several years.  In 1981, he made a memorable comeback with John Boorman’s medieval film “Excalibur” as the King Arthur, also featuring Helen Mirren, Nicholas Clay and Nicol Williamson. His other notable films include War Requiem (1989), Edward II (1991), Blue (1993) and Troy (2004).

Nigel had a more prolific stage career than the film. He worked with some of the most reputable theatre companies such as Royal Shakespeare Company, the Round House Theatre and the Royal Court Theatre. Among his famous roles were the Bosola in “The Duchess of Malfi” and the title role of Pericles in the “Pericles, Prince of Tyre.” He was mostly known for portraying historical characters on both stage and the film.

Nigel Terry also acted in television series. The 1990’s British/American series Covington Cross was considered his best performance on television where he played the character of the knight Sir Thomas Grey. He also appeared in the episodes of Casualty, Doctor Who, Highlander: The Series and Walking the Dead, aired on BBC One.