Harry Potter Star And Acclaimed Character Actor Paul Ritter Dies Aged 54
Versatile British actor Paul Ritter, whose roles ranged from a hapless suburban patriarch in sitcom Friday Night Dinner to a Soviet engineer who helps cause a nuclear disaster in Chernobyl, has died, his agent said today.
The Harry Potter actor, 54, was battling a brain tumour and his passing announced by his talent agency today. Agency Markham, Froggatt & Irwin confirmed that Ritter had died on Monday night “peacefully at home with his wife Polly and sons Frank and Noah by his side”.
Ritter was so much more than his small role as Eldred Worple in Harry Potter, his talent for comedy was immense and he is very well known in the UK for his role as Martin Goodman, the eccentric father of a London Jewish family on the sitcom Friday Night Dinner, alongside Episodes star Tasmin Greig.
Not only a funny man however, Greig had a dark side to his acting personality, particularly in the tense Emmy-winning HBO drama, Chernobyl. In the acclaimed dramatisation of the nuclear disaster that shocked the world, Ritter, received acclaim for his portrayal of ill-fated nuclear engineer Anatoly Dyatlov.
Who Did Paul Ritter Play In Harry Potter
Paul played Eldred Worple, a favourite student of Horace Slughorn.
The character studied at Hogwarts, and later became a writer.
Worple specialises in the lives of vampires, and reveals he has written a book called Blood Brothers: My Life Amongst the Vampires.
Worple meets Harry at Slughorn’s Christmas party where he tries to pursued him to write an autobiography.
Late Paul Will Be Seen Again On Tv Screens By End Of The Year
Pauls agent appeared in an interview to officially announce his death where he said. It is with great sorrow we can validate that Paul Ritter passed away.He went to his eternal journey peacefully at home With his wife Polly and sons Noah and Frank by his side. He was 54 and was suffering from a brain tumor.
Paul was an especially talented actor playing an immense variety of roles on stage and screen with exceptional skill. He was wildly intelligent, kind, and very funny. We will miss him greatly. He made his end statement by saying, He knows that Paul is not with us now. But his art will always stay with us, And he is still to appear on Friday Night Dinner 10th-anniversary retrospective Which will air at the end of the year 2021.
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Harry Potter: The Late Friday Night Dinner Actor Who You Didn’t Know Was In The Movies
Paul Ritter was known for his roles in Chernobyl and Friday Night Dinner
There is no denying that the Harry Potter film franchise is one of the most successful movie series of all time.
Those who have starred in the acclaimed movies have now gone on to have some of the most successful careers in film and television.
However, some viewers might have forgotten a famous actor who appeared in the films before his career kicked off.
Only true Potter fans will remember that Paul Ritter was cast as Eldred Worple in the Half-Blood Prince.
Still not ringing any bells?
Eldred meets Harry at Professor Slughorn’s Christmas party, where he tries to encourage him to write an autobiography.
Paul’s character does not appear again for the rest of the franchise, but this did not diminish Ritter’s career by any means.
Two years later, Ritter then appeared in what was to be one of the most popular and successful comedy shows on Channel 4, Friday Night Dinner.
Appearing for six seasons, Paul played the lead role of Martin who was the hilarious father in the Goodman family.
He was famous on the sitcom for his catchphrases “lovely bit of squirrel” and “I’m absolutely bloody boiling.”
He starred alongside Tamsin Greig, who portrayed his on-screen wife Jackie, and Simon Bird and Tom Rosenthal who portrayed his two on-screen sons.
Paul was also known in other TV programmes, notably for his highly praised performance in Chernobyl .
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Personal Life And Death
In 1996, Ritter married Polly Radcliffe, a research fellow at King’s College London. He lived in Faversham, Kent. He had two sons named Frank and Noah.
Ritter died of a brain tumour on 5 April 2021, aged 54, in his home, surrounded by his family. Long-time friend Stephen Mangan tweeted: “Trying to find a way to talk about Paul Ritter and struggling. My friend since we were students together. So much talent and it shone from him even as a teenager. I was so lucky to know him and lucky too to work with him many times over the years. Wonderful man.” Fellow actors from Friday Night Dinner also paid tribute. Writing in The Guardian, Tamsin Greig said she was “eternally grateful” to have known Ritter.Simon Bird said he always aspired to be like him whilst Tom Rosenthal called him an “ultimate professional”.
A tenth anniversary retrospective of Friday Night Dinner aired on 28 May 2021.
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Who Did Paul Ritter Play In Friday Night Dinner
The actors longest-running role was as Martin in Friday Night Dinner.
He played the beloved character for nine years, from 2011 until the last series in 2020.
He had fans in stitches with his performance, alongside Simon Birds Adam, Tamsin Greigs Jackie, and Tom Rosenthals Jonny.
Ritters character was known for his odd habits and his knack for frustrating his family members, and had countless quotable lines over the years.
Ritter is due to appear in a Friday Night Dinner 10th anniversary special, which will air on Channel 4 later this year.
Friday Night Dinner Fans Heartbroken As Paul Ritter Makes His Final Tv Appearance
The actor, who also starred in Chernobyl and Harry Potter, died aged 54 last month from a brain tumour
Friday Night Dinner fans were left in tears as Paul Ritter made his final television appearance.
The 54-year-old, who also starred in Chernobyl and Harry Potter, died on April 5 from a brain tumour.
Friday Night Dinner: 10 Years and A Lovely Bit of Squirrel was filmed shortly before Paul died, and the actor had insisted on appearing in the special one off.
A voiceover was heard saying during the 90-minute programme, which featured the cast reminiscing over the popular show: “At the time of filming this doc, Paul Ritter was suffering from a severe illness, which would eventually, sadly, take his life.
“But Paul still wanted to take part to show his appreciation and share his insights into the wonderful comedy creation of Martin Goodman.”
As it began, Tamsin Greig, who played his wife Jackie, paid tribute to her on-screen husband who she said was “a lovely human being.”
“We all miss him terribly, an incredible actor, a true friend and a lovely human being,” she said of her co-star.
“Sadly at the time of making the documentary Paul was pretty unwell, and to be honest – and don’t tell the producers this – but I did try to persuade him not to do the interview.
“But it is testament to Paul’s dignity and courage and complete lack of vanity that he wanted to participate in the documentary and to really celebrate this little world that he’s been part of…
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‘chernobyl’ And ‘harry Potter’ Actor Paul Ritter Dies At 54
LONDON Versatile British actor Paul Ritter, whose roles ranged from a hapless suburban patriarch in sitcom “Friday Night Dinner” to a Soviet engineer who helps cause a nuclear disaster in “Chernobyl,” has died at 54.
Ritter’s agent said the actor died at home on Monday evening and had been suffering from a brain tumor.
Ritter was a familiar face to British television viewers, famous as eccentric patriarch Martin Goodman in the Channel 4 sitcom “Friday Night Dinner.”
He also played ill-fated nuclear engineer Anatoly Dyatlov in the HBO drama “Chernobyl” and the wizard Eldred Worple in “Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince.”
Ritter also appeared as a devious political operative in the James Bond film “Quantum of Solace” and had frequent stage roles.
In 2009, Ritter was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in Alan Ayckbourns farce The Norman Conquests on Broadway, The Associated Press reported.
Deadline reported that Ritter would make a posthumous appearance in Friday Night Dinners 10th-anniversary special, set to air on the U.K.s Channel 4 later this year.
What Harry Potter Film Was Paul Ritter In
Paul’s character Eldred appeared in the sixth Harry Potter movie, the Half-Blood Prince.
It was released in cinemas back in 2009.
The film sees the Death Eaters wreak havoc in both Muggle and Wizard worlds, and Hogwarts is no longer a safe haven for students.
Though Harry suspects there are new dangers lurking within the castle walls, Dumbledore is more intent than ever on preparing the young wizard for the final battle with Voldemort.
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Friday Night Dinner Fans In Tears As Paul Ritter Makes Final Tv Appearance And Co
The actor, who also starred in Chernobyl and Harry Potter, died aged 54 last month from a brain tumour
- 11:08, 29 MAY 2021
Friday Night Dinner fans were left in tears as Paul Ritter made his final TV appearance.
The actor, who also starred in Chernobyl and Harry Potter, died aged 54 last month from a brain tumour.
Prior to his death, Paul, who played family patriarch Martin, joined his co-stars to film Friday Night Dinner’s 10th anniversary special, which aired on Channel 4 on Friday night .
Friday Night Dinner: 10 Years and a Lovely Bit of Squirrel was filmed shortly before Paul passed away on April 5, but he insisted on appearing in the one off episode.
A voiceover was heard saying during the 90-minute programme, which featured the cast reminiscing over the popular show: “At the time of filming this doc, Paul Ritter was suffering from a severe illness, which would eventually, sadly take his life.
Read More
“But Paul still wanted to take part to show his appreciation and share his insights into the wonderful comedy creation of Martin Goodman.”
As it began, Tamsin Greig, who played his wife Jackie, paid tribute to her on-screen husband who she said was “a lovely human being”.
“We all miss him terribly, an incredible actor, a true friend and a lovely human being,” she said of her co-star.
“I know Paul would also want us to sit back and laugh and enjoy this celebration of the Friday Night Dinner universe, and say as we do in his memory, shalom.”
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Harry Potter And Chernobyl Actor Paul Ritter Is Dead At 54
ByJessica Rawdenpublished 6 April 21
British actor Paul Ritter has died. American audiences may know him best from a handful of TV and movie projects, including HBO’s Chernobyl and for playing Eldred Worple in Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince. The actor was only 54 years of age at the time of his death.
Reports broke on Tuesday that Paul Ritter had died on Monday evening after suffering from a brain tumor. The news was confirmed by his agent, who told Deadline the actor passed away peacefully while at home with his wife and two sons. A longer note about the circumstances surrounding the actor’s death from his agent also noted:
It is with great sadness we can confirm that Paul Ritter passed away last night. He died peacefully at home with his wife Polly and sons Frank and Noah by his side. He was 54 and had been suffering from a brain tumor. Paul was an exceptionally talented actor playing an enormous variety of roles on stage and screen with extraordinary skill. He was fiercely intelligent, kind and very funny. We will miss him greatly.
On the stage, Paul Ritter also had taken on various roles and had landed a nomination for a Tony Award with Norman Conquests back in 2009. His final role will be opposite Colin Firth in the upcoming WWII movie Operation Mincemeat. Various pals and colleagues have spoken warmly about knowing Ritter since the news broke, including Episodes actor Stephen Mangan, who paid tribute and explained they’d been pals for a very long time.
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Was The Late Paul Ritter In A Harry Potter Movie
Paul Ritter, an amazing English screenplay actor, played the role of wizard Eldred Worple in Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince. The character of the wizard a writer who was once a beloved student of Horace Slughorn. He studied vampires, even becoming friends with one of the vampires named Sanguini, and in the movie, he is best known for the book he wrote, which is called Blood Brothers: My Life Amongst the Vampire. Worple was a student of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry when he was young. As he was the favorite student of Professor Horace Slughorn, Horace made him a member of his elite Slug Club.
On 20 December 1996, Worple was invited to a Slug Club Christmas party at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy, and he decided to bring Sanguini as a guest.
There, Professor Slughorn introduced them to the one and only Harry Potter. Worple attempted to convince Harry to let him write his biography citing the money he can make. However, Harry was not fond of fame and already had money. So he declined and immediately spoke to his friend Hermione Granger. Worple also attempted to distract Sanguini from some young womens necks by pushing a pasty in his hand.
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Twitter Reacts To News Of Paul Ritters Death
Several Twitter expressed their sadness over social media. People were quick to remember the great work done by Paul over the years. One comment read: Rest in peace Paul Ritter. Such an amazing funny actor and lovely person Friday night dinner used to be the one thing that me my dad and my sister would watch whilst my mum was in the hospital with covid and the only thing we would laugh about. My mum now loves it too.
Another added: Oh how sad another brilliant actor gone too soon my thoughts go out to his friends and family RIP Paul Ritter.
I still cant believe one of my favourite actors, Paul Ritter has passed awayFrom Chernobyl to Friday Night Dinner, he was so talented with actingMy thoughts are with his family, Rest In Peace#shitonit
feck
I still cant believe one of my favourite actors, Paul Ritter has passed away From Chernobyl to Friday Night Dinner, he was so talented with acting My thoughts are with his family, Rest In Peace, read another comment.
Aw, man I just finished rewatching Chernobyl for the 5th time just last week. RIP to Paul Ritter who was fantastic in Chernobyl! An amazing actor who played a despicable character wrote another user.
Aw man I just finished rewatching Chernobyl for the 5th time just last week. RIP to Paul Ritter who was fantastic in Chernobyl! An amazing actor who played a despicable character.
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The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night
Ritter starred in Marianne Elliotts award-winning stage production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
Ritter played the role of boiler engineer, and single parent Ed Boone. Boone lives alone with his son Christopher, who has Asperger syndrome. The play tracks their relationship after Christopher discovers his father had been lying about his mothers death.
The show was broadcast live to cinemas worldwide in 2012 through the National Theatre Live programme.
The play went on to win seven Olivier Awards and six Tony Awards.
Chernobyl And Harry Potter Actor Paul Ritter Dies At 54
LONDON Versatile British actor Paul Ritter, whose roles ranged from a hapless suburban patriarch in sitcom Friday Night Dinner to a Soviet engineer who helps cause a nuclear disaster in Chernobyl, has died, his agent said Tuesday. He was 54 and had been suffering from a brain tumor.
A familiar face to British television viewers and theatregoers, Ritter played Martin Goodman, the eccentric father of a London Jewish family, in the acerbic but warm Channel 4 sitcom Friday Night Dinner.
He also played ill-fated nuclear engineer Anatoly Dyatlov in the Emmy-winning HBO drama Chernobyl the wizard Eldred Worple in Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince and a devious political operative in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace.
Those who worked with Ritter in his most famous roles rated him highly. Robert Popper, the creator of Friday Night Dinner, said Ritter was a lovely, wonderful human being. Kind, funny, super caring and the greatest actor I ever worked with.
Chernobyl screenwriter Craig Mazin said on Twitter that Ritter was one of the most gentle, gracious and brilliant people Ive ever known, much less worked with. We lost him today, and far too soon. I wish his family and loved ones peace and comfort as they mourn the passing of this beautiful man.
The actor was nominated for a Tony Award in 2009 for his performance in Alan Ayckbourns farce The Norman Conquests on Broadway.
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Harry Potter Star Paul Ritter Leaves 80000 Estate To His Wife
Modupeoluwa Adekanye
Harry Potter Star Paul Ritter Leaves £80,000 Estate To His Wife
Friday Night Dinner, Harry Potter and Chernobyl star Paul Ritter has left his entire £80,000 estate to his wife after dying from a brain tumour aged 54.
The actor, whose real name was Simon Paul Adams, died at home from Faversham, Kent, on April 5 surrounded by his wife Polly Radcliffe and sons Frank and Noah.
Documents show Ritter left his 55-year-old wife his entire estate, which had a gross value of £81,478 and a net value of £69,478.
The family home is a mid-terrace house worth £562,000, which was bought nearly 20 years ago in April 2002 for £181,500.
Probate was granted to Radcliffe, a research fellow at Kings College in London, as the sole administrator and executor of his estate, and its full value was left to her.
Ritter had a long and successful acting career over nearly 30 years that included playing family patriarch Martin Goodman in Channel 4s Friday Night Dinner.
The comedy in which he starred with Tamsin Greig and Simon Bird focuses on the middle-class Jewish familys weekly evening meal.
He also portrayed engineer Anatoly Dyatlov in the acclaimed HBO drama Chernobyl and wizard Eldred Worple in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Ritter also played special adviser Guy Haines in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace. His other TV credits included Vera, Belgravia, Cold Feet, and No Offence.
Ritter was born in Kent and made his TV debut in The Bill in 1992.