It was a pleasure to work with you. All rights reserved. In 2000, she played the title character in Anna Karenina. pic.twitter.com/udTJF9LUDo, So funny, so passionate, so smart and one of the greatest actors of our time. PerThe Daily Mirror, McCrory's last public appearance was on March 12, when she and Lewis appeared on Good Morning Britainas ambassadors of Prince's Trust, a charity that supports the career aspirations of young people aged 11 to 30. Actor Helen McCrory, who was fiercely proud of being an artist, according to her husband Damian Lewis. McCrory was one of Britains most respected actors, making her mark by playing a succession of formidable and sometimes fearsome women. "But she was so private and so f--king brave and courageous. Helen McCrory will be remembered not just for her remarkable stage and screen performances, but also for her selflessness and generosity, comedian Matt Lucas tweeted. British actor Helen McCrory, who starred in the television show Peaky Blinders and the Harry Potter movies, has died, her husband said Friday. As well as her film and TV credits, she played seven lead roles at the National Theatre, whose boss Rufus Norris said: "With her incisive wit and ferocious intelligence, she was one of the most charismatic and distinctive performers.". Very sad news. McCrory and Lewis had been married for 14 years and have two children together. "We Im heartbroken to announce that after an heroic battle with cancer, the beautiful and mighty woman that is Helen McCrory has died peacefully at home, surrounded by a wave of love from friends and family, he wrote. She also will be remembered by many as Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter films. You could try, but it wouldn't work.". She was 52. Sleep easy Pol. British actor Helen McCrory, who starred in the television show Peaky Blinders and the Harry Potter movies, has died, her husband said Friday. A bright shining star has gone. She was so so brilliant when she came to work on Bill. Helens Peaky Blinders co-star Cillian Murphy tweeted, I am broken-hearted to lose such a dear friend. Actors Damien Lewis and his wife Helen McCrory arrive in the Royal Box on Centre Court to watch a Men's singles semifinal match on day eleven of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Friday, July 12, 2019. She Really lovely company. But I think you approach it in different ways, and my approach is just to forge forward.. "I still can't believe she's not here," he explained. Fearlessly. What a women, what an actor. She was so so brilliant when she came to work on Bill. Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? ", And while Helen will be featured in the final series, thanks to creator Steven Knight, her absence was still felt immensely. Lewis said he wanted to focus on his wifes professional and personal achievements. What a tremendous loss. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. RIP . When her nephews Tommy (Cillian Murphy), Arthur (Paul Anderson), and Johnny (Joe Cole) were off fighting in World War I, she was the leader of both the family and the Peaky Blinders. Onstage, McCrorys roles included the vengeful Greek heroine Medea at the National Theatre in 2014. Express. She elevated and made humane every scene, every character she played., He added, "It was a privilege to have worked with this brilliant woman, to have shared so many laughs over the years., Along with a few of Helens other co-stars, Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling also said her final goodbye to Helen on social media. Helen McCrory was born on 17 August 1968 and died on 16 April 2021. The world has just lost some of its sparkle. ', Of course, theres so much sexism within the profession, McCrory said. But Aunt Polly, set to marry the man she loved, and her love story will not play outinthe sixth and final season of the BBC series. Jill Lawless, Associated Press. She blazed so brightly. Read More: Is Peaky Blinders Based on a True Story? She also played Madame Kali in Penny Dreadfulfrom 2014 to 2015, Cherie Blair (wife of Prime Minister Tony Blair) in 2006's The Queen and 2010's The Special Relationship, Mrs. Radcliffe in 2007's Becoming Jane, and Clair Dowar, Home Secretary of the U.K., in the 2012 James Bond film Skyfall. Lewis said McCrory was fiercely proud of being an artist, an actress. Other iconic roles included parts in Hugo, Skyfall, Fearless, Quiz and MotherFatherSon. Benjamin Sherman Crothers (May 23, 1910 November 22, 1986),[1] known professionally Her husband, McCrory played Narcissa Malfoy, the wife of Lucius Malfoy and Draco's mother, in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and Part 2. My heart goes out to Damian and the family, no words of condolences will ever be enough.. You can unsubscribe at any time. 2023 BBC. God we loved her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. Her husband, fellow actor Damian Lewis, said McCrory died peacefully at home after a heroic battle with cancer., She died as she lived. Others remembered McCrory for her charity work, including on FeedNHS, a campaign to provide meals for frontline health care workers during the coronavirus pandemic. At the same theatre, she excelled as a woman caught between a dull husband and a feckless lover in Terence Rattigan's "The Deep Blue Sea" in 2016. Last year, the couple raised more than 1m to provide NHS workers with meals from high street restaurants during the pressures of the coronavirus pandemic. I worked with Helen on stage and of course we were lucky enough to get her in Inside No 9. "She had this extraordinary, fierce depth of character and complexity and ability to articulate so many parts of the human condition.". She died as she lived. winter storm, Southern Ontario digs out of snowstorm, snowfall warnings still in effect for parts of Eastern Canada, 'I had to get over here and help': 3 incredible acts of compassion by Canadians in Ukraine, How a small town Canadian grandmother ended up in a Hong Kong prison, Why some Canadian teachers and professors are inviting ChatGPT into the classroom, Unusual weather phenomenon observed during Ontario snowstorm explained, Woman missing more than 30 years and thought to be dead found living in Puerto Rico nursing home, 'I don't not love Winnipeg' Michael B. Jordan tells Kimmel, Cleaning expert shows the best way to load your dishwasher, Why Harry and Meghan were asked to leave their U.K. home. Her other awards include a Welsh BAFTA, the Monte Carlo Best Actress Award, the Royal Television Society's Best Actress Award,and the Critics Circle Best Actress Award. The accomplished British actress has been married to Lewis since 2007, and they have two children together: Manon, aged 14, and Gulliver, aged 13. She played the matriarch of a crime family on "Peaky Blinders" and the scheming Voldemort ally Narcissa Malfoy in the "Harry Potter" movies. As well as fearless Polly Gray in BAFTA-winning Peaky Blinders, she was in 2007 Best Film BAFTA winner The Queen, amongst many other films and TV shows. While Helen managed to keep her health issues a secret from the public, a previous interview clip that has gone viral shows just how well she hid her illness. She was 52 and had been suffering from cancer. McCrory had said doing theatre is what made my heart sing, Lewis recalled. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Today marks the 20th anniversary of the first book in J.K. Rowlings Harry Potter series. Actor Ben Willbond added: Heartbroken at the news that Helen McCrory has died. Before she died, the actor Helen McCrory repeatedly urged her teenage children to be courageous and not sad about her death, her husband, Damian Lewis, has said. Then we watched her in the courtroom pretty much do a one woman monologue and be incredibly excellent and not forget a thing. In their tributes, J.K. Rowling and Cillian Murphy both offered their condolences to Helens husband and their two children. Peaky Blinders cast: Who plays Polly Gray in Peaky Blinders? She was 52 and had been suffering from cancer. She was 52 and had been suffering from cancer. pic.twitter.com/NRlo3KPKWb, Helen McCrory no no no. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Netflix gets rights to Brit gangster drama Peaky Blinders, From the Archives: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is well-crafted but sometimes hard to endure, Stars, fans, brave the rain for London premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Photographer Delaney George turns the lens on femininity: Black women are fine art, A take on Jesus Revolution from one who was there, defending Rowling and more. McCrory was nominated for two of London's Olivier Awards for playing Rosalind in As You Like It in 2006, and for The Last of the Haussmans in 2013. The actor is best known for playing Aunt Polly in the BBC drama Peaky Blinders. Goes Out newsletter, with the week's best events, to help you explore and experience our city. She is survived by her husband, who revealed her cause of death on social media, and two children. Roadkill on BBC: Show writer addressescomparisons to Thatcher. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis), Use of this Website assumes acceptance of Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy | Accessibility, Published Friday, April 16, 2021 12:37PM EDT, Last Updated Friday, April 16, 2021 7:54PM EDT, Tom Sizemore, 'Saving Private Ryan' actor, dies at 61, Everything you need to know about the 2023 Academy Awards, Nan Goldin is going to the Oscars, and she wants to win, Jenna Ortega wishes her generation was better represented in stories: 'We can be smart', Loewe mixes fashion with giant confetti cubes at Paris show, 'Welcome to Sweetie Pie's': Former star Tim Norman gets life for role in nephew's death, Calls grow for public inquiry for Chinese interference, Ontario nurses felt 'no hope' for new deal to be reached, 'Like shovelling concrete': Phillips on Ont. BBC director of drama Piers Wenger added: "Helen was one of the finest actresses this country will ever see.". Awful.. Polly is a certified accountant and serves as the second-in-command to Tommy and treasurer at the Shelby Company Limited. However, she has also had major roles in several films and television shows since she began acting in 1990. And certainly that was, it was for her and her family and her very closest friends.". She died on April 16, 2021, at her London home. My deepest condolences to her family, especially her husband and children. READ MORE:Helen McCrory dead: Peaky Blinders dies after cancer battle aged 52. Very sorry to hear of the death of Helen McCrory, such a brilliant actor; heartfelt condolences to Damian Lewis, their children, and all who loved her. HELEN McCrory was still promoting her charity work in the final weeks before her death aged 52. The actress, Why Alex Murdaugh was spared the death penalty, Why Trudeau is facing calls for a public inquiry, The shocking legacy of the Dutch 'Hunger Winter'. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? My deepest condolences to her family, especially her husband and children. Helen McCrory died of breast cancer at her home in London on 16 April 2021, aged 52. I will dearly miss my pal. She was a wonderful actor and a very dear friend; Harry Potter fans will miss her very much. "When you live in the public spotlight you have to find the space to protect the things that are just for you. This has never happened to me before or since She was clearly already halfway to giving a superb performance, I simply had to get out of the way and let her complete the job. Helen McCrory will be remembered not just for her remarkable stage and screen performances, but also for her selflessness and generosity, Matt Lucas said. Blessings to Damian and the family. Helen McCrory was an English actress. Fearlessly. She told me she should be playing Yelena the other young female role and then proceeded to spend the next hour telling me exactly why. The actress was perhaps best known for playing Aunt Polly, the matriarch of the Shelby clan, in all five series of hit BBC period gang drama Peaky Blinders from its start in 2013. Im devastated to learn of the death of Helen McCrory, an extraordinary actress and a wonderful woman whos left us far too soon. "She faced up to it with a level of bravery and humour that was completely extraordinary and as ever was teaching people how to live so it was a remarkable thing.". She and Damian were the motor driving FeedNHS, working tirelessly during the pandemic to raise millions for others. Peaky Blinders: What was Polly star Helen McCrory's favourite scene? She was always immaculate and brilliant. Harry Potter author JK Rowling said: Im devastated to learn of the death of Helen McCrory, an extraordinary actress and a wonderful woman whos left us far too soon. According to her TV Guide biography, McCrory was born in Paddington in London, England, but grew up in places like Norway, Nigeria, Cameroon, France, and Zanzibar. She swore her friends to secrecy about the disease as she underwent treatment, according to Carrie Cracknell, who directed McCrory in a 2014 production of Medea. As he discussed the poet, Damian said, "One person whose thunder absolutely would not be stolen was Helen McCrory. Go now, Little One, into the air, and thank you.. Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight said: "Helen was one of the great actors of her generation. A tweet from Bafta read: Were sad to hear of the death of actor Helen McCrory. McCrory was known for her roles in "Harry Potter" and "Peaky Blinders." Cause of death [INSIGHT] Helen McCrory death: Late Peaky Blinders' star love at first unveiled [ANALYSIS] Helen McCrory died aged 52 after a heroic battle with cancer (Image: getty) "She elevated and made humane every scene, every character she played," Murphy said. Such a wonderfully talented woman. Stephen Bear jailed for 21 months for sharing sex tape of him and ex, Kelsey Grammer refuses to apologise for religious beliefs: Jesus has made a difference in my life, Bruce Willis, 67, spotted for first time as he steps out for coffee in Santa Monica after sharing dementia diagnosis, Ron Jeremys sister wants him to be placed under a conservatorship amid rape trial ruling due to dementia, Stephen Bears fiance vows to always support him after hes jailed for revenge porn, Do not sell or share my personal information. She blazed so brightly. Helen was a beautiful supportive person to those of us who had the honour to know or work with her. McCrory was cast as the eponymous character in the 2000 miniseries Anna Karenina; Rose Fitzgerald in North Square; Barbara Villiers, Countess of Castlemaine, in The Last King; Madame Kali in Penny Dreadful, and Dawn Ellison in Roadkill. Besides Peaky Blinders, she is arguably most known for portraying Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter film series. ", And while losing a loved one is never easy, "The difficult thing to comprehend is that, if it wasn't for COVID, there would be a whole other version of this show with Helen in it," he said. British actress Helen McCrory, star of Peaky Blinders, died today at the age of 52.