Actor Paul Ritter has died of a brain tumour at the age of 54, his agent has Reported. Ritter who played family father Martin, in Channel 4’s successful comedy Friday Night Dinner, starred alongside Tamsin Greig, Simon Bird and Tom Rosenthal. It was confirmed that he passed away on Monday.
In a statement by his agent, he said that the actor, also appearing in numerous films from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to Quantum of Solace, died at home with his family by his side.
Paul Ritter sadly passed away on Monday
Creator of the sitcom, Robert Popper, for which Ritter is best known, shared his thoughts saying, “Devastated at this terribly sad news. Paul was a lovely, wonderful human being. Kind, funny, super caring and the greatest actor I ever worked with.”
In 2019, Ritter displayed a range of acting skills with a terrifying performance as Anatoly Dyatlov in the multi-award winning Sky series, Chernobyl. Toby Whithouse who wrote spy thriller ‘The Game’ in which Ritter starred in 2014, said, “This is terrible devastating news. Paul was a stunning actor, a lovely lovely guy. How utterly dreadful.”
Paul Ritter as Anatoly Dyatlov in Chernobyl – © Sky
Ritter was previously a talented stage actor, and nominated for an Olivier award in 2006 for his performance in ‘Coram Boy’ and for a Tony award for his 2009 role in the ‘Norman Conquests’.
Paul Ritter in ‘The Norman Conquests – © Alan Ayckbourn
“It is with great sadness we can confirm that Paul Ritter passed away last night,” said his agent.
“He died peacefully at home with his wife Polly and sons Frank and Noah by his side. He was 54 and had been suffering from a brain tumour.”
Paul Ritter, 54 – © NME
“Paul was an exceptionally talented actor playing an enormous variety of roles on stage and screen with extraordinary skill. He was fiercely intelligent, kind and very funny. We will miss him greatly.”
Ritter is still due to appear in the Friday Night Dinner 10th anniversary retrospective, which will air on Channel 4 later this year, but sadly he is no longer with us.
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