Actor Louis Mahoney has died at the age of 81.
The star was known was portraying a number of roles in both classic and modern Doctor Who, as well as for appearing in British sitcom Fawlty Towers.
His death was announced in a statement from his agents Waring and McKenna, who praised his activism for anti-racism.
It said:
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our wonderful client, Louis Mahoney.
“Louis paved the way for many actors who followed:
a lifelong activist and champion of anti-racism.
His warmth and good humour will be sorely missed.
“A celebration of his life will follow.”
Louis was born in The Gambia, West Africa in 1938, moving to the UK in 1957 to study medicine and train to be a doctor.
However, he eventually decided to pursue a career in acting instead.
Doctor Who fans will recognize Louis from his role as Old Billy in terrifying 2007 episode Blink.
Louis also appeared in a string of episodes alongside Tom Baker’s Fourth Doctor in the classic run of Doctor Who, in serial Planet Of Evil.
Back in 1975, Louis appeared in controversial Fawlty Towers episode The Germans,
which recently made headlines after viewers said it contained offensive racial slurs.
Louis was known for his many appearances in Doctor Who
Louis also appeared in several movies throughout his acting career,
including Richard Attenborough’s Cry Freedom in 1986, in Omen sequel The Final Conflict in 1981, and more recently, in Captain Phillips in 2013.
He was also a regular on the theatre stage.
Louis was also well-known and well-respected for his campaign work.
He worked to put a stop to racism in the entertainment industry.
In his position as chairman of the charity Equity UK’s Afro-Asian Committee, he attempted to persuade broadcasters to reform attitudes towards the people he described as “non-white”.
Louis enjoyed a long and successful acting career, which began in 1962 in TV series The Sword in the Web.
His most recent role was this year when he played Bishop Tony in TV series The Split.
He also earned credits in The Dumping Ground, Holby City, Doctors, Being Human, and many more shows over the years.
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