British actor Ian Gelder, known for portraying Kevan Lannister on the popular HBO series “Game of Thrones,” has died at the age of 74 following a short battle with bile duct cancer.
Mr. Gelder’s longtime partner, “The Crown” star Ben Daniels, confirmed the actor’s untimely passing in an Instagram post shared on Tuesday.
“This pic was taken at Christmas time after I’d got him out of hospital and even though he’d gone through the worst three weeks there, you can still see his joy and love shining through,” Mr. Daniels explained.
“He was my absolute rock,” he penned. “If we weren’t together, we spoke to each other everyday [sic]. 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.”
Mr. Daniels continued: “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.”
The “House of Cards” actor noted that he took a break from acting to care for Mr. Gelder in his time of need. However, he and his partner, who had been married for more than 30 years, did not expect the illness to progress so quickly.
Tributes Pour In
In the wake of Mr. Gelder’s passing, Mr. Daniels’ tragic announcement elicited an outpouring of supportive messages and touching tributes from fellow actors. Matt Lanter, known for roles on “90210” and “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” commented on the Instagram post, noting that he was at a loss for words. “All of my love to you today. Praying for your peace and comfort,” he wrote. “Love you buddy.”Actress and singer Alicia Witt expressed great sorrow over Mr. Gelder’s passing, commenting: “My heart breaks into a million pieces alongside yours. Wrapping you in love. I’m so very sorry for your immeasurable loss.”
“Masters of the Air” actor James Murray, who also starred in the Netflix series “The Crown,” conveyed a similar sentiment. “Thanks for sharing these heartfelt & beautiful words that I’m sure don’t even touch the sides of your grief, but certainly communicate the deep love you shared,” he wrote. “Such an inspirational relationship lights up the sky for all of us.”
Actor Matt Biedel, known for his role in “The Fall of the House of Usher,” also reflected on Mr. Daniels’ emotional post. “Reading your message and all the others paint such a beautiful picture of who Ian was,” he offered. “What a wonderful human being and what a loss for you and for the world.”
More recently, Mr. Gelder was cast in an episode of the British television series “Father Brown,” which aired this year. Prior to his death, the actor had been working on a documentary, “Benoit,” which is currently still in production.
