Brian Murphy, star of 1970s UK sitcoms Man About the House and George and Mildred, has died aged 92.
His wife, Hi-De-Hi! actress and crime writer Linda Regan, posted a message on social media with a picture of the two that read, “My love for you will never die. RIP sweetheart”.
He passed away at his home in Kent in England on Sunday morning with Regan by his side, according to his agent, Thomas Bowington of Bowington Management.
“It is with the greatest of sadness that we have to announce the death of our client actor Brian Murphy,” Bowington said today. “It is almost impossible to describe the depth of his talent and humanity. A truly joyful and profoundly good hearted man.”
Through Bowington, Regan added: “I was lucky to have in my lifetime found my soulmate — Brian who I will love forever.”
An actor and comedian by trade, Murphy was known for his leading comedic roles in the earlier parts of his career, but has more recent appeared in medical drama Holby City, The Catherine Tate Show and Last of the Summer Wine.
He also acted in ITV comedy Benidorm, whose creator Derren Litten, wrote on social media: “Incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Brian Murphy. A genuine legend of comedy acting. Man About the House + George & Mildred were a childhood favourites then I had the immense honour of writing for him in The Catherine Tate Show & Benidorm. Much love to Linda & family.”
His film roles included The Boy Friend and Ken Russell-directed pic The Devils.
Murphy had begun his career as a member of Joan Littlewood and Gerry Raffles’ influential Theatre Workshop in the 1950s, helping the organization modernize theater and reach a wider audience. He performed in many of Littlewood’s plays, including Shakespeare, and was an original cast member of her Oh, What a Lovely War!.
However, it was in ITV comedy Man About the House, in which he starred as a single man flat-sharing with two women, a controversial subject at the time, that propelled him to stardom. He then played the famous brow-beaten husband George Roper in Man About the House spin-off George and Mildred.
Lats August, he completed work on a comedy series and was due to play a lead role in a feature film shooting later this spring, according to Bowington.
Murphy is survived by his wife and two children.
