Peaky Blinders’ Helen dies of cancer at 52
Huge talent ‘died as she lived – fearlessly’
ACTRESS Helen McCrory has died of cancer, aged 52.
Her husband Damian Lewis announced the news online yesterday and said he had been left “heartbroken” by the death of the Peaky Blinders star.
She also leaves behind daughter Manon, 14, and son Gulliver, 13.
In an emotional Twitter post, Homeland actor Lewis said: “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 died as she lived. Fearlessly. God we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. She blazed so brightly. Go now Little One, into the air, and thank you.”
McCrory, who also starred as Narcissa Malfoy in three Harry Potter films, was last night hailed as an “extraordinary
actress” by author JK Rowling. On Twitter last night, she said: “I’m devastated to learn of the death of Helen McCrory, a wonderful woman who’s left us far too soon.
“My deepest condolences to her family, especially her husband and children. Simply heartbreaking news.”
And Michael Sheen, who worked with McCrory on ITV drama Quiz, said: “So funny, so passionate, so smart and one of the greatest actors of our time. From the moment I met her when we were kids, it was obvious she was very special.” Peaky Blinders fans will remember McCrory fondly for her portrayal of Aunt Polly, matriarch of the Shelby clan. She also starred in James Bond movie Skyfall and played prime minister Dawn Ellison in BBC One drama Roadkill. McCrory was born in Paddington, west London, to a Welsh mother and Scottish diplomat father. She was the eldest of three children and studied acting at Drama Centre London.
She soon flourished on stage and screen and was hailed as one of the top young actors at the Ian Charleson Awards in 1993 for her turn as Rose in Trelawny of the ‘Wells’.
McCrory first met husband Lewis on the set of 2003 play, Five Gold Rings. The pair married in 2007.
Speaking last year, McCrory said: “Damian’s naughty and he made me laugh straight away. He never lets me get away with anything and that makes me laugh even more.”
And appearing on Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, McCrory said: “I don’t really reflect. When I was asked to look at different bits of my life for this programme, I had to look on the internet to see what I’d done. I’ve lived life at 150 miles an hour. I’ve never really stopped.”
McCrory was made an OBE in 2017 but almost missed the commendation after mistaking the notification letter for an unpaid bill sent to her husband.