‘Legendary’ Scots actor Roeves dies
● Actor known for stage, TV and film roles dies aged 83
Actor Maurice Roëves, whose career spanned seven decades and included roles in iconic 1980s series Tutti Frutti and both the Star Trek and Doctor Who franchises, has died. He starred in the BBC series The Nest earlier this year.
Scottish actor Maurice Roëves, who enjoyed a TV and film career spanning seven decades, has died, aged 83.
Roëves, who was born in Sunderland but brought up in Scotland, is perhaps best known for his role as Vincent Diver – the “iron man of Scottish rock” – in 1980s TV series Tutti Frutti, where he appeared alongside Robbie Coltrane, Emma Thompson and Richard Wilson.
He also played Captain Munro in the 1992 film The Last of the Mohicans, as well as having more recent parts in BBC Scotland’s River City and hit Glasgow drama The Nest, which aired earlier this year and was filmed in Glasgow and Helensburgh.
Roëves’ agent, Lovett Logan, said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we can confirm the passing of our wonderful client, Maurice Roëves.
“Maurice had a hugely successful career in both theatre and screen, which spanned several decades, starting in his home country of Scotland and moving to London and the United States.
“He was loved by his legions of fans for many of his performances. Maurice loved nothing more than being on set with his fellow actors and worked right up until the end, recently being seen in the BBC series The Nest at the start of this year.
“As well as being a truly dedicated and gifted actor, he was also a real gentleman and a delight to have as a client. We will miss him greatly and our thoughts and love go out to Vanessa and his family.”
The actor was latterly married to arts consultant Vanessa Rawlings-jackson, who was previously general manager at Perth Theatre, and has one daughter, Sarah, from his first marriage to Scottish actress Jan Wilson.
Roëves is one of only 24 actors to have speaking roles in both the Star Trek and Doctor Who franchises. He played Stotz in the 1984 Doctor Who serial Doctor Who: The Caves of Androzani and a Romulan captain in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Bafta Scotland said: “Very sad news about Scottish actor Maurice Roeves. A celebrated 60 year career, most recently seen in The Nest.”
Educated in Glasgow, Roëves reportedly considered becoming a teacher, but after national service in the Royal Scots Greys Armoured Corps, he was persuaded to follow his father working in flour mills and by the age of 24 had become a sales manager.
In his spare time, he worked with amateur drama groups which led to a career on the stage. After training at Glasgow College of Dramatic Art –now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland – he became assistant stage manager at Glasgow’s Citizen Theatre and within three months was playing lead roles including Lorenzo in The Merchant of Venice and the Gentleman Caller in The Glass Menagerie.
He also performed at the Royal Court in London where he played Macduff alongside Sir Alec Guinness’ Macbeth.
Roëves also appeared in Eastenders, the TV adaptation of Vanity Fair and soap staples including Casualty and Holby City.
He also in The Eagle Has Landed, the 1995 version of Judge Dredd, Hallam Foe and played Jimmy Gordon in The Damned United.
Many people on Twitter shared memories of their favourite performances. David Mcnay wrote: “Sad to see Maurice Roëves has died. Always glad to see him appear in a TV show or film, never saw him give a bad performance.”
“He was loved by his legions of fans … Maurice loved nothing more than being on set with his fellow actors and worked right up until the end”
LOVETT LOGAN