Sir Christopher Lee pays tribute to Edward Woodward
Dracula star mourns passing of The Wicker Man actor who has died at 79
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ACTOR Edward Woodward, who was best known for his roles in occult classic film The Wicker Man and as a spy in TV hit The Equalizer, has died at the age of 79.
Woodward had been suffering from various illnesses, including pneumonia.
His agent Janet Glass confirmed the star died in a hospital in Cornwall yesterday and praised his “brave spirit and wonderful humour”.
The Golden Globe and Emmy award-winning actor’s breakthrough came in the 60s and early-70s in the spy series Callan.
One of his most celebrated roles was in the 1973 film The Wicker Man, in which he played a devout Christian police officer who meets a horrific end after being drawn into investigating the disappearance of a young girl in a sinister community.
The Wicker Man also starred Dracula actor Sir Christopher Lee, who described Woodward as “a good friend and a splendid actor”.
Robin Hardy, who directed The Wicker Man, said: “He was one of the greatest actors of his generation, with a broad career on American television as well as British film.
Woodward sealed his international success in the hit 80s US TV series The Equalizer playing a former spy.
He scooped a Golden Globe for The Equalizer and won an Emmy Award for Remembering World War II. He was also made an OBE in 1980.
He had recently joined East Enders for a short stint and soap star Barbara Windsor said she was deeply saddened at the news of his death.
“I have such fond memories of our time working together,” she said.
Diederick Santer, executive producer of EastEnders, said: “All of us at EastEnders are very sad to learn that Edward has passed away. He was a delight to work with and delivered a characteristically touching and layered performance. Our thoughts are with his family.”
Woodward lived in the Padstow area of Cornwall with his wife, actress Michele Dotrice, who played Frank Spencer’s wife Betty in the sitcom Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em.
He recently said that he had been spending time painting watercolours, adding: “I am not very good at it, but my friends and family all get a copy.”
Ms Glass said of Woodward: “He was courageous, never losing his brave spirit and wonderful humour throughout his illness.
“He was further sustained by the love of his wife, Michele, children, Tim, Peter, Sarah and Emily, his grandchildren and numerous friends. His passing will leave a huge gap in many lives.”
