'He was remarkable' - Game of Thrones actor Ian Gelder dies aged 74
Gelder appeared in five seasons of Game of Thrones as Kevan Lannister, the younger brother of scheming Lord Tywin Lannister
British actor Ian Gelder has died at the age of 74, five months after being diagnosed with bile duct cancer.
Gelder is best known for playing of Kevan Lannister in the fantasy drama series Game Of Thrones, while he also appeared in the likes of His Dark Materials, Doctor Who, Snatch, The Bill and more over the course of his career.
Gelder passed away on Monday (May 6), his husband and fellow actor Ben Daniels announced on social media.
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“It is with huge huge sadness and a heavy heart broken into a million pieces that I’m leaving this post to announce the passing of my darling husband and life partner Ian Gelder,” Daniels wrote on Instagram alongside a picture of the couple which he said was taken at Christmas after Gelder had left hospital.
Daniels revealed that Gelder had been diagnosed with bile duct cancer five months ago and that “neither of us had any idea that it would all be so fast.”
“He was my absolute rock and we’d been partners for more than 30 years. If we weren’t together we spoke to each other everyday,” Daniels added.
“He was the kindest, most generous spirited and loving human being. He was a wonderful wonderful actor and everyone who worked with him was touched by his heart and light. I honestly don’t know what I’ll do without him by my side.
“He coped with his dreadful illness with such bravery, with no self pity. Ever. He was remarkable and will be so missed.”
Gelder first played Kevan Lannister, the younger brother of Lord Tywin Lannister, in the first season of Game Of Thrones in 2011.
Gelder reprised the role in later seasons of the award-winning fantasy series before meeting his demise in the final episode of season six when the Great Sept of Baelor is incinerated by wildfire.
The actor was a stalwart of the screen and stage whose career spanned six decades.
He appeared in multiple television series including Doctor Who, Snatch, Fifteen-Love, Casualty, Father Brown, The Bill, Edward the King and His Dark Materials, while he also appeared in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s productions of Titus Andronicus, The Taming of the Shrew, The Merchant of Venice, Richard III and As You Like It, among others.
“We are saddened to hear of lan Gelder’s death. One of the most kind and gentle people in the business, lan’s career spanned many decades,” Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey, co-artistic directors the Royal Shakespeare Company said in a statement on X.
“He was a regular on the RSC stage from the 70s onwards, creating many memorable performances including his Antonio in The Merchant of Venice and Clarence in Richard III. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
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