Fans and famous faces rushed to offer their condolences after his post, with Inside No 9 director Reece Shearsmith penning: Impossible to process the mighty Helen McCrory has passed. Helen McCrory starred as Aunt Polly in all five series of Peaky Blinders. 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. 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. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Peaky Blinders actor Helen McCrory has died at the age of 52, her husband Damian Lewis has confirmed. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. At the time, she was 52 years old. BBC director of drama Piers Wenger added: "Helen was one of the finest actresses this country will ever see.". 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In 2003, she met Lewis when they both starred in a play called Five Gold Rings at the Almeida Theatre in London. Helen was a beautiful, caring, funny, compassionate human being, he said in a statement. 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. "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. What a tremendous loss.. She elevated and made humane every scene, every character she played, Murphy said. The great English actress Helen McCrory tragically passed away last year at the age of 52. He penned: "I'm heartbroken to announce that after Polly is a certified accountant and serves as the second-in-command to Tommy and treasurer at the Shelby Company Limited. Carrie Cracknell, who directed McCrory in a stage production of Medea, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme she was one of "very, very few" people who knew about her illness and was "sworn to secrecy". Read More: Is Peaky Blinders Based on a True Story? Helen was a beautiful, caring, funny, compassionate human being. She also will be remembered by many as Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter films. Thoughts are with you and your family. HELEN McCrory was still promoting her charity work in the final weeks before her death aged 52. Thank you. Thoughts are with you and your family. Helen McCrory was an English actress. 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. "It was a privilege to have worked with this brilliant woman, to have shared so many laughs over the years. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/peaky-blinders-actor-helen-mccrory-dies-of-cancer-at-52, Beloved childrens author Beverly Cleary dies at 104, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Larry McMurtry dies at 84, Arrested Development actor Jessica Walter dies at 80. McCrory was diagnosed with breast cancer, but she refused to let it be known. She died as she lived. Fearlessly, McCrory's husband Damian Lewis wrote on Twitter. Helen McCrory backstage ahead of the Temperley London show during London Fashion Week in September 2018. Tim Whitby / Getty Images for BFC file Sending you & your family much love xxx, How terribly sad that weve lost Helen McCrory so young. Phyllis Scarso Apr 5, 1931 - Oct 29, 2021 Independence, Ohio | Age 90. Helens death was confirmed by Damian, who said how lucky they were to have had her in their lives. She was so so brilliant when she came to work on Bill. More info. Forever my Narcissa Malfoy. https://t.co/gsBO5Fr1ev, RIP #HelenMcCrory you were the best and always lovely to me. Refresh for updates: Helen McCrory, known for acting in a number of beloved franchises including Peaky Blinders, Harry Potter and Penny Dreadful, died Friday at 52. If youve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing uscelebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page wed love to hear from you. Simply heartbreaking news. McCrory "died peacefully at home surrounded by a wave of love from friends and family", Lewis wrote on Twitter, calling his late wife "beautiful and mighty." "We love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. She blazed so brightly," the actor added, explaining she had died "after an heroic battle with cancer." The tough and complex character played an integral role in the series, as she was the glue that held the Shelby family together. What a women, what an actor. pic.twitter.com/1CzeIIYfzE, So desperately sad. 'That's so clever, darling.' Helen My heart goes out to Damian and the family, no words of condolences will ever be enough.. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Her husband, fellow actor Damian Lewis, said McCrory died "peacefully at home" after a "heroic battle with cancer. Helen'shusband, Damian Lewis, recentlyhonored her during a poetry reading at theA Poet for Every Day of the Year. My heart goes out to Damian and the family, no words of condolences will ever be enough https://t.co/ik0Xsiacvw, We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our beloved Helen McCrory, who played Narcissa Malfoy with such depth and brilliance in the Harry Potter film series. Originally from Paddington, London, England, she attended the Drama Centre in London, studying acting. At the same theater, she excelled as a woman caught between a dull husband and a feckless lover in Terence Rattigans The Deep Blue Sea in 2016. Left: McCrory was awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2017. Although Helen brushed off questions about her health, we now know that things were much more serious than the actress let on. Photo by Steve Parsons/REUTERS. She was also a gifted actor fearless and magnificent. 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.". Really lovely company. An unfathomable loss. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. She blazed so brightly. Actress Helen McCrory has died, aged 52 (Picture: Rex) Michael Sheen and JK Rowling led tributes to Helen McCrory, as news of her death emerged. She and Damian were the motor driving FeedNHS, working tirelessly during the pandemic to raise millions for others. Such a wonderfully talented woman, Gary Lineker posted. As he discussed the poet, Damian said, "One person whose thunder absolutely would not be stolen was Helen McCrory. Stars have paid tribute to Peaky Blinders and Harry Potter actress Helen McCrory who has died of cancer aged 52. Please check your inbox to confirm. Then we watched her in the courtroom pretty much do a one woman monologue and be incredibly excellent and not forget a thing. ", 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. Angela Griffin replied: News of Helen McCrory passing has just floored me. Andafter five seasons, Aunt Pollywas close to getting her version of a happy ending following multiple near-death encounters and heartbreaks. The Cause of Helen McCrorys Death. "We McCrory and Lewis, star of the TV series Homeland and Billions, married in 2007 and had two children. Helen McCrory quotes. Helen McCrory died of breast cancer at her home in London on 16 April 2021, aged 52. Portrayed by Helen McCrory, Elizabeth Polly Gray, ne Shelby, is the matriarch of the Shelby family. 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. It was very confusing. pic.twitter.com/fbau6kywzW, Helen McCrory. Helen and her husband married in July of 2007 and shared two kids son Gulliver, 13, and daughter Manon, 14. 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'. He said she was proudest of her work on stage. Helen McCrory was born on 17 August 1968 and died on 16 April 2021. Cause of death McCrory died of cancer at her home in London on 16 April 2021, aged 52. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. Actor Michael Sheen, who worked with McCrory on the 2006 film The Queen and more recently in ITV drama Quiz, described her death as "heartbreaking" and said it had been "an honour to work with her and know her" in a post on social media. Learn more about Friends of the NewsHour. She was a wonderful actor and a very dear friend; Harry Potter fans will miss her very much., Jo Malone said: @lewis_damian I am beyond saddened and shocked to hear of the passing of Helen McCrory an amazing talented woman who gave so much , my sincere condolences to all of her beautiful family., Sue Perkins posted: I am so so sorry. McCrory, who was also known for her roles in the films The Queen, The Special Relationship and the Harry Potter franchise, died of cancer on Friday at the age of 52. Damian, who is also an award-winning actor, is best known for his roles in Homeland, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, Band of Brothers, and Dreamcatcher. My thoughts with all of her friends and family. 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., So desperately sad. She and Damian were the motor driving FeedNHS, working tirelessly during the pandemic to raise millions for others. Helen McCrory poses after she was awarded an OBE by Britain's Queen Elizabeth at an Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, London November 7, 2017. Helen McCrory husband: Who is Peaky Blinders' Polly star married to? The Go now, Little One, into the air, and thank you.". In the season 6 premiere, titled Black Day, Tommy and his people discover that the IRA has killed Polly along with her fianc Aberama Gold (Aidan Gillen) and Tommys friend and fellow veteran Barney Thomason (Cosmo Jarvis) for attempting to assassinate the British fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley (Sam Claflin). 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 just wasn't able to film that part of Polly's life before she died. Youre my kind of dame, lets go out. And off they went into the night.. But I think you approach it in different ways, and my approach is just to forge forward.. In addition to her starring role in six seasons of Peaky Blinders, McCrory's filmography included high-profile projects such as her most recent: voicingStelmaria, Lord Asriel's (James McAvoy) snow leopard daemon, onHBO's His Dark Materials. I worked with Helen on stage and of course we were lucky enough to get her in Inside No 9. She began acting in the early 1990s, and one of her earliest on-screen roles was a bit part in the 1994 film Interview with a Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles, featuring Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise. "Having said that, there are a lot of things I turn down," she told The Associated Press in 2016, describing the sort of roles where "all your lines are `But what did you do at work?' Fearlessly, Lewis wrote on Twitter. What a tremendous loss. She was an absolutely magnificent person. God, we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. Funny, generous, some wicked stories. Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders, said in a statement, Helen was one of the great actors of her generation. "From the first moment I met her when we were just kids it was obvious she was very special. 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McCrory, who was also known for her roles in the films The Queen, The Special Relationship and the Harry Potter franchise, died of cancer on Friday at the age "Helen was a beautiful, caring, funny, compassionate human being," he said in a statement. You will not believe Helen McCrory's final wish. Ms Cracknell said working with McCrory was "one of the highlights of my professional life". She died on 16 April 2021, at her Associated Press. ", And while Helen will be featured in the final series, thanks to creator Steven Knight, her absence was still felt immensely. The star was last seen last month when she gave an interview to Good Morning Britain about her latest charity project. "I still can't believe she's not here," he explained. Helen is survived by Damian and their two children. What a tremendous loss.". "She was this tiny, tiny woman and she would stand in the middle of the Olivier stage and sort of be possessed really, it was like she was transforming," she said. "But she was so private and so f--king brave and courageous. McCrory made her acting debut in 1993 in an episode of Full Stretch. She debuted on the big screen with the 1994 thriller Uncovered. In the ensuing years, she built an impressive resume with works in TV shows and films. Social media first learned of Helens death after her husband, Damian Lewis, posted a message on social media that read, Im heartbroken to announce that after a 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. Away from the screen, McCrory was well known for her charity work, including helping feed frontline workers during the pandemic. RIP x. Lewis confirmed the news on Twitter today, revealing his wife had died of cancer. According to reports, Helen died peacefully in her home after a battle with cancer, which she kept extremely private. Murphy, who played Tommy Shelby in the show, added he was "broken-hearted to lose Lewis wrote: Her nickname to many was Dame Helen (apologies, Dame Helen), and although well never know now whether that would have become a reality, I think secretly, we do know.. "', "Of course, there's so much sexism within the profession," McCrory said. Helen was an even more brilliant person than she was an actress, he said, describing her a meteor in our life. Onstage, McCrorys roles included the vengeful Greek heroine Medea at the National Theatre in 2014. ", McCrory also starred as a human rights lawyer dragged into international intrigue in the TV thriller "Fearless," played lawyer Cherie Blair, wife of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, in the 2006 movie "The Queen," and had roles in Martin Scorsese's film "Hugo" and the James Bond thriller "Skyfall. According toEntertainment Weekly,McCrory was meant to star as Bellatrix LeStrange beginning with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, but when she bowed out, Helena Bonham Carter stepped in. Goes Out newsletter, with the week's best events, to help you explore and experience our city. "But I think you approach it in different ways, and my approach is just to forge forward.". Posting on Twitter, Richard Coles wrote: 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. Actor Ben Willbond added: Heartbroken at the news that Helen McCrory has died. She was always immaculate and brilliant. I will dearly miss my pal. "She had this extraordinary, fierce depth of character and complexity and ability to articulate so many parts of the human condition.". She elevated and made humane every scene, every character she played, Murphy said. Sir Richard Eyre, who gave McCrory one of her first significant stage roles in the 1990s, said one of the most upsetting things about her death was that "we will be deprived of major performances that she would have been able to give" and described her as a successor to Dame Judi Dench. He penned: "I'm 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. She See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. Sam Mendes, who directed McCrory in an acclaimed production of Uncle Vanya, praised her explosive energy on stage. But I think you approach it in different ways, and my approach is just to forge forward.. Following the news of her death, tributes have been pouring in for the acclaimed actor. Peaky Blinders cast: Who plays Polly Gray in Peaky Blinders? LONDON (AP) Thousands of Harry Potter fans braved rain and hail Tuesday to cheer the cast of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince at its London premiere. It was an honour to work with her and know her. Very sad news. Here is all you want to know, and more! `How did you do that?' McCrory, who starred in the television show Peaky Blinders and the Harry Potter movies, has died. Heartbreaking.. Today marks the 20th anniversary of the first book in J.K. Rowlings Harry Potter series. A mighty talent, with always a hint of mischief. Her husband, actor Damian Lewis, took to Twitter to share the news. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? The world has just lost some of its sparkle . She died as she lived. McCrory's Most recently, she appeared on screen in the BBC series Roadkill with Hugh Laurie. She and Damian were the motor driving FeedNHS, working tirelessly during the pandemic to raise millions for others. While Helen Reddys family did the best they could to stay in touch with her, the pandemic still took its toll on the singer. She blazed so brightly. (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. 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. Helen's death was announced by her husband, Damian, who took to social media to confirm the tragic news in a statement that read: "I'm heartbroken to announce Fearlessly," Lewis wrote on Twitter. You can unsubscribe at any time. Also known for her stage performances, National Theatre artistic director Rufus Norris said she was "one of the great actors of her generation". It was a pleasure to work with you. She was 52 years old at the time. Will Dominion-Fox News lawsuit be different? In 2000, she played the title character in Anna Karenina. 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. In a moving tribute to the Peaky Blinders star, Lewis said: Shes left our beautiful children, Manon and Gully, too early, but they have been prepared for life., Writing in the Sunday Times, Lewis said: She has exhorted us to be courageous and not afraid. Having said that, there are a lot of things I turn down, she told the Associated Press in 2016, describing the sort of roles where all your lines are But what did you do at work? Thats so clever, darling. How did you do that? And then what did you do?, Of course, theres so much sexism within the profession, McCrory said. Helen McCrory died. Much love to Damian and her family. Our thoughts are with HelenMcCrory's loved ones during this difficult time. While many performers struggle to find meaty female roles in film and television, McCrory played a string of them. Heartbreaking. Lewis, himself an actor, acknowledged that keeping her condition private had prompted an outpouring of grief and shock. 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) "Helen wanted to be very private about her illness and I understand why," she said. Go now, Little One, into the air, and thank you.. She was so so brilliant when she came to work on Bill. She was 52 "She died as she lived. Piers Morgan erupts at 'brass-necked' Prince Andrew, Paul O'Grady warned Meghan Markle against 'really riling' Queen, Helen McCrory was well loved as Aunt Polly in Peaky Blinders, Helen McCrory leaves Peaky Blinders fans gobsmacked with accent on GMB, Damian Lewis shared the news of his wife's death, The star was well known for her role in Peaky Blinders.