RIP...Sir Alan Bates

He is my favorite. My heart is broken.


Sir Alan Bates dies at 69


Actor Sir Alan Bates has died at the age of 69.
Sir Alan, famous for starring opposite Oliver Reed in the film version of Women in Love, passed away in a London clinic Saturday night.

He had been suffering from cancer of the liver. His brother and son were at his side.

Sir Alan had a long career in the theatre, cinema and television. The brooding good looks that brought him early success in John Osborne's Look Back in Anger matured into a talent for a wide range of modern and classical roles.

Sir Alan Bates: A high-class career
He was born in Derbyshire in 1934 and won a scholarship to Rada from school. He served in the RAF, and got his first acting job with a Midlands repertory company.

Six months later he auditioned for the English Stage Company at the Royal Court Theatre, and after making his debut in The Mulberry Bush in 1956, got the part of Cliff Lewis in Look Back in Anger, which also took him to Broadway.

From then on he was in constant demand, appearing in the West End, Stratford-on-Avon, and at the Bristol Old Vic.

He launched his film career in The Entertainer in 1960, quickly followed by Whistle Down the Wind and The Caretaker. He went on to appear in many period productions, notably Far From the Madding Crowd, The Go-Between and Ken Russell's Women in Love.

On television he scored a notable success in the title role of the BBC serial, The Mayor of Casterbridge, in 1978.

Alan Bates was knighted in the New Year Honours of 2003.

His wife and second son died several years ago.

Obituary from the BBC


This is from his official website:

Sir Alan Bates, CBE
17 February 1934 - 27 December 2003

With great sadness, I must tell readers of the Bates Archive that Alan, who had been battling pancreatic cancer for nearly a year, died peacefully in a London hospital at 11 pm on Saturday, 27 December. His son Ben and his brother Martin were with him.

A year ago, as the 2003 New Year celebration approached, Alan, recuperating from October hip surgery at his home in Derbyshire, learned that he would be awarded the honour of Knight Bachelor in the Queen's New Year List. Only a few weeks later, having a check to determine the cause of ongoing indigestion, he received the cancer diagnosis, and began treatment immediately. He felt and looked well, and continued to work, filming the as yet unreleased American mini-series "Spartacus" during a break in chemotherapy. His eventual hair loss due to treatment caused him to shave his head, and everyone thought it was quite a good look for the film.

He cherished his privacy, and asked those around him to treat him normally and not discuss his illness with others. As the year wore on he shopped, dined with friends, drove to and from Derbyshire. He would admit to feeling "a bit tired," nothing more; his courage and strength throughout his illness were remarkable. In October, Alan cut the ribbon at a new arts center in Halesworth, Suffolk, and charmed the audience with an hilarious reading, complete with Scottish accent, of a poem by William McGonagall. It was to be his final public appearance. In December the downward spiral began in earnest, and by Christmas he was in hospital.

His son Ben, daughter-in-law Claudia, granddaughter Sophia; companion Joanna Pettet; brothers Martin and Jon and their families; and Rosemary Geddes, his secretary for nearly 30 years, are in our thoughts as we mourn the loss of our dear friend, and celebrate his life and his gifts which gave pleasure to so many.

 

RIP Mr. Bates. You were great in Gosford Park.

 

Bloody great actor. Shame about the lack of response here

 

Alan Bates is one of my favorites actors and I'm extremely sad about his passing. I loved him in The King Of Hearts especially.

 

The only Alan I'd like to see more is Alan Ruck. He was so awesomein Ferris Bueller.


He's in Cheaper by the Dozen...a little chubbier, but meh.

 

Never heard of him.

 

How unfortunate, great actor. Rest in Peace, Alan Bates.