Vale: George Cole
Veteran UK actor George Cole, best known for Minder, has died aged 90.
- Published by David Knox
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Veteran UK actor George Cole, best known for Minder, has died aged 90.
His agent said he died in hospital following a short illness, surrounded by his family.
Cole played Cockney wheeler dealer Arthur Daley opposite Dennis Waterman’s Terry McCann, from 1979 to 1994.
Waterman said he had “the privilege of spending Tuesday afternoon with him and Penny and, although very frail, his wit was as evident as ever”.
“I am so sad to hear of George’s death. His family must be devastated, and I am absolutely certain that anybody who ever knew him, will feel the same.
“I’m so grateful to have been a friend of this wonderful man. We worked together for many years and my boast is that we laughed all day every day.
“He was an amazing man, a wonderful actor and besotted with his family. Farewell old friend.”
Cole also played Flash Harry in four St Trinian’s films between 1954-66, starring alongside Terry Thomas, Joyce Grenfell and Sid James.
Other TV credits included Midsomer Murders, Heartbeat, New Tricks, The Sweeney, Dial M for Murder,
He also starred opposite Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in Cleopatra, and gothic horror The Vampire Lovers.
He received an OBE in 1992.
Source: BBC
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- Tagged with Dial M for Murder, Heartbeat, Midsomer Murders, Minder, New Tricks, The Sweeney
7 Responses
RIP George..
Arfur and Terry, one of the great pairings
One of the great actors from the golden era of British film and television. He was so good at his craft that his characters became more famous than he did. Arthur Daley is far more famous than George Cole!
R.I.P George such a great actor – I am currently watching Minder On DVD Still a great show all these years later Arfur & Terry such a great unforgettable team luv em
You were a class act Arfur.
RIP Arthur
He was also in an excellent short run TV series called An Independent Man. Such a great actor. Grew up watching Minder. RIP.
He started out as a child actor and worked up until recently-another in the long line of great British stars that we have lost recently.