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Stars’ final ovation for shining light Simon MacCorkindale

 

TRIBUTES were paid to the “shining light and life” of Simon MacCorkindale on February 12 as 200 friends attended a memorial service in London. He would have celebrated his 62nd birthday.

Famous friends of the actor included Twiggy, Gloria Hunniford and Anthony Andrews were among the stars who arrived to pay their respects.

The actor’s widow, actress Susan George, 63, said of her husband of 28 years: “He was the love of my life. He was my rock.”
On 14 October 2010 the ruggedly handsome actor died in his wife Susan George's arms aged 58 at the London Clinic after a five-year battle against cancer.

They had just celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary at the time.  Susan said in an interview with the Mail Online about his passing: ‘In the few days before, he was in and out of sleep because he was in a lot of pain. I was holding his hand, and at one point he looked up at me and said, “Don’t worry darling, I’m not going anywhere.” 'And I told him, “I know you’re not – don’t be ridiculous. I’m just here and we’re going to get through this blip. We’ve been here before MacCork, and we’re here again.” Simon had already recovered from four bouts of cancer-related pneumonia.'

But in spite of the hope they both clung to, Simon’s cancer, first diagnosed in the colon and later found in his lung – could not be conquered in spite of him undergoing all kinds of treatments including chemotherapy, homeopathy, a strict macrobiotic diet, use of Amazonian herbs and spiritual healing.

A host of stars who had either worked with Simon or were personal friends, crowded in to St Paul’s church in Covent Garden. There were tributes from Hayley Mills, Tom Conti, Anthony Andrews, Casualty star Tristan Gemmill, Tracey Childs of the TV series Broadchurch, and Susan George.

They spoke of Simon’s “passion for life, passion for art, and a passion for people”.

Dame Maggie Smith, who worked with him on the film Death On The Nile, sent a message from India, where she is filming. Christopher Plummer said in a message: “He brought joy to the world and was a man of courage.”

Tenor Russell Watson sang The Prayer with soprano Natasha Marsh.

At the end of the service the Rector, the Rev Simon Grigg, invited everyone to give Simon “an almighty final applause”. They left to the sounds of bagpipes played by a kilted piper.

Sources: http://www.express.co.uk/news/showbiz/459693/Stars-final-ovation-for-shining-light-Simon-MacCorkindale
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2558148/Twiggy-host-stars-come-remember-actor-Simon-MacCorkindale-church-memorial.html

Simon MacCorkindale's widow talks about his death

There was an article about Susan George, Simon MacCorkindale's widow in the Saga Magazine. Susan talks about Simon's death and how she deals with it.

Simon MacCorkindale passed away

Actor Simon MacCorkindale has died aged 58 after suffering from cancer.

His publicist, Max Clifford, said he died in the arms of his wife, actress Susan George, on Thursday night in a London Clinic.

The actor revealed last year he was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2006, but was told it was terminal after it spread to his lungs a year later.

He spent six years on the BBC medical drama as Dr Harry Harper.

He was also known for starring in 1980s series Manimal and appearing in the 1978 Agatha Christie film Death on the Nile.

Ms George said: "No-one could have fought this disease any harder than he did since being diagnosed four years ago.

"He fought it with such strength, courage and belief. Last night, he lost this battle, and he died peacefully in my arms.

"To me, he was simply the best of everything, and I loved him with all my heart. He will live on in me forever."

Born in Cambridge, MacCorkindale intended to follow his father into the RAF, but his deteriorating eyesight meant he had to follow an alternative path.

He began his career in theatre, making his West End debut in a production of Pygmalion, before moving to the small screen.

He moved to the US after the success of Death on the Nile where he had roles in various TV series including Dynasty, Hart to Hart and The Dukes of Hazzard before securing the lead in adventure series Manimal.

'Amazing energy'

After being diagnosed with cancer while working on Casualty, he left the drama and returned to the stage in the West End production of The Sound of Music until its closed in February 2009.

His last television appearance was on BBC series New Tricks earlier this year.

John Yorke, controller of BBC drama production, said the actor was owed a "massive debt" for his work in Casualty.

"Not only was he a fabulously iconic consultant, he was also an inspirational team leader," Mr Yorke said.

"One of the reasons so many people have loved working with him on Casualty is because of the tone he established on the shop floor - always welcoming, always disciplined, always quietly the leader.

"Simon had an extraordinary career encompassing - amongst many other things - matinee idol, Hollywood lead, film and theatre director, film producer and horse breeder.

"That amazing energy and appetite for life remained with him to the end."

Simon will be missed!

Simon MacCorkindale at Plaque Unveiling

Simon MacCorkindale and his wife Susan George attended a plaque unveiling for the late actor, Sir John Mills at Pinewood Studios on May 9, 2010 in London, England.

Sir John Mills, C.B.E., who died in 2005, was an English actor, who made more than 120 films in a career spanning seven decades.
The plaque was unveiled by Robin Gibb, president of the Heritage Foundation and vice president Mike Read.

Simon looks great. Glad, he looks like he's feeling very well. We wish him all the best.

Here are two pictures with Simon, Susan, Robin Gibb and Juliet Mills (daughter of Sir John Mills):

Simon MacCorkindale diagnosed with cancer

Very sad news: Simon MacCorkindale reveals that he was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2006.
The cancer had spread to his lungs and Simon is now receiving chemotherapy.

I'm sure, all the fans wish him all the best and we hope he feels good and won't lose his strength and hope.

There's an interview with Simon and his wife on dailymail.uk.

Simon MacCorkindale in 2 new movies

"Greg Reardon" Simon MacCorkindale has been very busy lately. He has just finished two movies.
One is the thriller "A closed book" with Daryl Hannah and Tom Conti. Simon plays the role of Andrew Boles. The movie is based on Gilbert Adair's book from 1999.
If you're interested in some reviews of the book just click here.

The other movie is "13Hrs" with Tom Felton and Gemma Atkinson which was shot in Surrey, UK.
Find some informatinos about the film on 13HrsTwitter.

Unfortunately, there is no release date yet for both of the movies. We'll keep you updated.

EDIT: Just an update on the above from Shelli (Thanks!!) - both roles are minor, Simon had a days filming for each. The charater for 13 Hrs is Duncan who is the father.

Simon appears in the trailers for both films

A Closed Book was shown at Cannes in May.

Simon MacCorkindale joins "The Sound of Music"

Simon MacCorkindale (Greg Reardon from FC's seasons 4 & 5), is to join the cast of The Sound Of Music at the London Palladium from 25 August, taking over from Simon Burke as Captain Von Trapp.

MacCorkindale starred as hospital manager Harry Harper in long-running drama Casualty for six years, leaving earlier this year. He had previously enjoyed an extensive television and film career in the UK and US with credits including Poltergeist, Counterstrike, Falcon Crest, Manimal, Death On The Nile and Quatermass. Also a producer, director and stage actor, MacCorkindale has directed at the National and in the West End and last appeared on stage in a national tour of Agatha Christie whodunit The Unexpected Guest in 2007.

In The Sound Of Music, MacCorkindale plays widowed father Captain Von Trapp, who employs nun-turned-nanny Maria to be governess to his seven unruly children in his Austrian home. As well as taming the kids, tomboyish Maria melts the heart of the frosty Captain, but their domestic idyll is threatened by the rise of the Nazi party and the onset of war.

MacCorkindale joins a cast that includes Summer Strallen, who has been playing the part of Maria since March 2008, when she took over from Connie Fisher. While Fisher was cast through BBC reality television show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, Strallen’s arrival in the musical was also influenced by television, as a storyline on C4 soap Hollyoaks saw her character, Summer Shaw, cast in the famous role before Strallen took to the Palladium stage in reality.

The cast also includes Margaret Preece as Mother Abbess, Fiona Sinnott as the Baroness and Paul Grunert as Max. Also on 25 August, Rebecca Luice takes over as the eldest Von Trapp child Liesl and Nadim Naaman joins the cast as Rolf.

This production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound Of Music, directed by Jeremy Sams, opened at the London Palladium in November 2006. The first show to use television casting, it paved the way for subsequent productions of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Grease and the forthcoming Oliver!, all of which have cast major roles through television programmes.