Comedian Mel Smith Dies Aged 60 Why you can trust Sky News Griff Rhys Jones has led the tributes to his longtime comedy partner Mel Smith, who died from a heart attack at the age of 60. If the gorilla had the best line, Smith had the more expressive countenance, mugging with a deadpan virtuosity rarely seen since Oliver Hardy in his pomp. The star, who famously appeared in Not The Nine O'Clock News alongside Griff Rhys … "Life was always exciting around Mel," he said. Check coronavirus cases in your area with our interactive map. Nobody could have been easier to work with. Sounded like a speech defect but it seems odd to develop one in middle age. .css-1xgx53b-Link{font-family:ReithSans,Helvetica,Arial,freesans,sans-serif;font-weight:700;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:#FFFFFF;}.css-1xgx53b-Link:hover,.css-1xgx53b-Link:focus{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}Read about our approach to external linking. Comic Mel Smith suffered a fall just days before he died of a heart attack, friends revealed last night. On the morning of 19 July 2013, the London Ambulance Service was called to Smith's home in north-west London. Smith has died from a heart attack at his home in … With Rebecca Front, Mel Smith, Rowan Atkinson, Nicky Kentish Barnes. Mel Smith Birthday and Date of Death. "He had a wonderfully generous and sympathetic presence both on and off screen. The British comic actor and writer Mel Smith has died of a heart attack, aged 60. TV star Mel Smith, who died of a heart attack at the age of 60 last year, left a £6.5 million fortune in a trust. He was a brilliant theatre director... Not only was he a great actor, he was a wonderful editor.". Comic actor and writer Mel Smith has died of a heart attack aged 60. The actor and comedian Mel Smith has died at the age of 60. Mel Smith died from a heart attack at his home in north west London, Photograph: David Cheskin/PA Wire. Mel Smith was born on December 3, 1952 and died on July 19, 2013. Most watched News videos. 'Comedy great' Mel Smith dies The comic, actor and director Mel Smith has been hailed as "one of the comedy greats of the modern era" after his death from a heart attack aged 60. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. He was captain of the school rugby team from the 2nd form to the 6th. Other friends and colleagues took to Twitter to send their condolences, with comedian and broadcaster Stephen Fry writing: "Terrible news about my old friend Mel Smith, dead today from a heart attack. Covid-19: Queen and Prince Philip receive vaccinations, Sex workers say 'defunding Pornhub' puts their livelihoods at risk, Nasa's Curiosity rover: 3,000 days on Mars, Covid: UK reports more than 80,000 deaths. We are all in a state of shock. Very sad to hear news of Mel Smith's death has been confirmed. Comic Mel Smith dies aged 60. He was a gentleman and a scholar, a gambler and a wit. Griff Rhys Jones has said Mel Smith was "a force for life" to everybody who met him, adding he was "a gentleman and a scholar, a gambler and a wit". Mel lived a full life, but was kind, funny & wonderful to know. Actor and comedian Mel Smith has died of a heart attack at the age of 60. Smith formed a lasting partnership with co-performer Griff Rhys Jones with whom he set up the independent television company, Talkback Productions. Meanwhile, friends and colleagues have paid tribute to him. Far more than a comic actor, Smith also wrote and edited a host of celebrated TV comedies in the 1980s and 90s. Mr Fincham, who was the business partner of Smith and his comedy sideback Griff Rhys Jones at Talkback Productions as well as their agent, said: "Life was always exciting around Mel. He went on to describe Smith as a "gentleman and a scholar, a gambler and a wit". "He was also an excellent theatre and movie director, doing a wonderful job on the first Mr Bean movie. And Mel was always ready to be supportive. Mel Smith, the comic actor, writer, producer and director has died. "Mel Smith - a lovely man of whom I saw too little in his later years. Europe's slow start: How many have had the jab? Watch: Mel Smith in the Not the Nine O'Clock News darts sketch. "He was the cast member with whom I felt the most natural performing empathy. Jones added: "We are all in a state of shock. Mel Smith was on Mastmind just now, he did very well on his specialist subject of Shakespeare. What can you expect when pubs, bars and restaurants reopen? QAnon: What is it and where did it come from? Melisandre, the Red Woman, died at the end of Game of Thrones Season 8, episode 3. He said he would remember Mel as a "gentle man" who "wore his extraordinary talent very lightly". where at the age of 12 he played Falstaff. "Being funny came naturally to him, so much so that he never seemed to give it a second thought. The comic, known for Alas Smith and Jones and Not the Nine O’Clock News, was at his home in London when he died … ITV News reporter Martha Fairlie looks back at his career: ITV's director of television Peter Fincham expressed his sadness on hearing Mel Smith had died, describing the news as a "big moment" for the industry. We have lost a very, very dear friend.". Comedian Mel Smith has died of a heart attack aged 60, his agent said today. I will look back on the days working with him as some of the funniest times that I have ever spent. The British comedian - known for the sketch shows … The programme's creator, John Lloyd, told the BBC his friend had been ill for some time. Stephen Fry and Graham Linehan have paid tribute to Mel Smith following his death at the age of 60: Terrible news about my old friend Mel Smith, dead today from a heart attack. Brilliant writer, actor and director and a lovely man too. I will look back on the days working with him as some of the funniest times that I have ever spent.". "What that did is produce a gigantic raft of new material," Mr Lloyd said. Mel was 60 years old at the time of death. In a statement, he said: "Mel Smith - a lovely man of whom I saw too little in his later years. ", He said the pair had never had an argument and "loved performing together", adding: "He inspired love and utter loyalty and he gave it in return. Mel played the one with a … Rowan Atkinson, who worked with Mel Smith on both Not the Nine O'Clock News and Bean, the first Mr Bean film, said he was "truly sad" to hear about his death. Mel Smith, who has died at the age of 60, has been described as having "extraordinary natural talent" by Peter Fincham, director of television at ITV. In a statement released on behalf of Smith's wife, Pam, Mr Foster said: "Mel Smith, comedian and writer, died on Friday aged 60, from a heart attack at his home in north west London." He was a very generous and supportive actor. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA Wire. Comic, actor and director Mel Smith has died following a heart attack at the age of 60, his agent has confirmed. see our cookie policy. The British comedian - known for the sketch shows Alas Smith and Jones and Not The Nine O'Clock News - died at his home on Friday, Michael Foster said. Terrific business. Read about our approach to external linking. ", .css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link{color:inherit;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited{color:#696969;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link:hover,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited:hover,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link:focus,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited:focus{color:#B80000;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:link::after,.css-1hlxxic-PromoLink:visited::after{content:'';position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;z-index:2;}Obituary: Comedian Mel Smith, 'QAnon Shaman' charged over pro-Trump riots. Comedian Mel Smith, celebrated for the long-running sketch shows Not the Nine O'Clock News and Alas Smith and Jones, has died of a heart attack at the age of 60. So sad to hear about the passing of the great Mel Smith. He had a relish for it that seemed utterly inexhaustible. Comedian Mel Smith, celebrated for the long-running sketch shows Not the Nine O'Clock News and Alas Smith and Jones, has died of a heart attack at the age of 60. We have lost a very, very dear friend.". He was well known for his roles in sketch shows such as Alas Smith and Jones and Not the Nine O' Clock News. Rhys Jones described his friend of 35 years as a "brilliant actor". He had a relish for it that seemed utterly inexhaustible. Mel Smith dead The comedian is most famous as half of Smith and Jones, alongside comedy partner Griff Rhys Jones. johnnybriggs 20:12, 31 December 2008 (UTC) I noticed that too. Their business partner and agent at Talkback, ITV director of television Peter Fincham, said Smith had "extraordinary natural talent". Video, A night at India's largest farmers' protest, 'QAnon Shaman' Jake Angeli charged over pro-Trump riots, Sriwijaya Air Boeing 737 passenger plane feared to have crashed in Indonesia, Storm Filomena: Spain sees 'exceptional' snowfall, Capitol riots: The hunt to identify and arrest the rioters. His former comedy partner, Griff Rhys Jones, called him "a gentleman and a scholar, a gambler and a wit". But he never took himself or the business too seriously. "Being funny came naturally to him, so much so that he never seemed to give it a second thought. Speaking from the Latitude festival, Peter said he would remember Mel more as a friend than as a comedian - he was his partner in a company they ran together called Talkback Productions. © 2021 BBC. Griff Rhys Jones yesterday led the tributes to his long-standing comedy partner Mel Smith, who died after suffering a heart attack. Smith, who died in his sleep from a heart attack on Friday, at the age of 60, grew up in a flat above a fish and chip shop in Chiswick, West London. Mel Smith A night at India's largest farmers' protest. The pair were most famous for their TV shows Not The Nine O'Clock News and Alas Smith And Jones. Jake Angeli, real name Jacob Anthony Chansley, is accused of violent entry and disorderly conduct. Does anyone know what has happened to him? Smith died of a heart attack aged 60, his agent said. I loved the sketches that we did together on Not the Nine O'Clock News. He said: "Mel did an extraordinary thing - he taught us all how to make comedy natural. "He was my friend and business partner for many years and had extraordinary natural talent with the rare gift of wearing it lightly. Boeing 737 plane feared crashed in Indonesia, Spain hit by heavy snow as deadly storm sweeps in, The hunt to identify and arrest Capitol rioters, .css-q4by3k-IconContainer{display:none;height:1em;width:1em;vertical-align:-0.125em;margin-right:0.25em;}Capitol riots: ‘We would have been murdered’ VideoCapitol riots: ‘We would have been murdered’. He and Griff gave Arthur and I our break. "That, I think, is a contribution that will never go away.". Mel Smith was a star of Not the Nine O'Clock News, and one of the best episodes with Griff Rhys-Jones, parodied the charms of world darts. A tribute to British comedian Mel Smith, who died in July 2013, aged 60, featuring home video footage, rare archive material and many classic sketches. What does lockdown lifting look like across the UK? .css-14iz86j-BoldText{font-weight:bold;}Comic actor and writer Mel Smith has died of a heart attack, aged 60, his agent has confirmed. Mel was born in 1952 and educated at Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith. And he was a brilliant actor. To everybody who ever met him, Mel was a force for life. I loved the sketches that we did together on Not the Nine O'Clock News. VideoA night at India's largest farmers' protest, How British Asians broke into London's club scene, Locked-down women turn to pills amid Malta abortion ban, Sex workers object to card firms boycotting Pornhub, 'I fully expect to live to at least 180 years old', .css-orcmk8-HeadlineContainer{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;-ms-flex-pack:justify;justify-content:space-between;}'QAnon Shaman' Jake Angeli charged over pro-Trump riots.css-1dedj2h-Rank{-webkit-align-self:center;-ms-flex-item-align:center;align-self:center;color:#B80000;margin-left:3.125rem;}1, Sriwijaya Air Boeing 737 passenger plane feared to have crashed in Indonesia2, Storm Filomena: Spain sees 'exceptional' snowfall3, Capitol riots: The hunt to identify and arrest the rioters4, QAnon: What is it and where did it come from?5, Covid-19: Queen and Prince Philip receive vaccinations6, Sex workers say 'defunding Pornhub' puts their livelihoods at risk7, Google suspends 'free speech' app Parler8, Nasa's Curiosity rover: 3,000 days on Mars9, Covid: UK reports more than 80,000 deaths10. "We never had an argument about which part we should play or how we were going to do something. 'Gentleman and scholar' Mel Smith dies aged 60, Mel Smith had 'extraordinary talent but wore it lightly', Comic, actor and director Mel Smith dies aged 60, Rowan Atkinson 'truly sad' by the death of Mel Smith, Comedians pay tribute to Mel Smith on Twitter, Jones' tribute to 'very, very dear friend' Mel Smith, Griff Rhys Jones: Mel Smith was 'a force for life', Mel Smith was a star of Not the Nine O'Clock News, Mel Smith had an 'extraordinary natural talent', Stephen Fry & Graham Linehan pay tribute to Mel Smith, UK's top civil servant Sir Mark Sedwill to stand down, Controversial appointment of Brexit aide as National Security Adviser, Scotland records no new virus deaths for third day running, 'UK on a knife edge ahead of further lockdown easing'. 'Comedy great' Mel Smith dies at 60 The comic, actor and director Mel Smith has been hailed as "one of the comedy greats of the modern era" after … "If you direct a comedy movie that takes 245 million dollars at the box office you've done something pretty special, and I never thought he was given enough credit for this success. Smith and Rhys Jones together created Talkback Productions, which made a number of much-loved comedies - among them Da Ali G Show, I'm Alan Partridge and Never Mind the Buzzcocks. Mel lived a full life, but was kind, funny and wonderful to know. Directed by Archie Powell. We never had an argument, in fact. Sad loss. A tribute to British comedian Mel Smith, who died in July 2013, aged 60, featuring home video footage, rare archive material and many classic sketches. The comedian Mel Smith, best known for Not the Nine O’Clock News and Alas Smith and Jones, has died of a heart attack aged 60. Mel Smith (left) and Griff Rhys Jones on stage at the Prince’s Trust comedy gala at the Lyceum Theatre in London. Mel Smith (left) with his wife Pam in 2010. Comic actor and writer Mel Smith has died of a heart attack, aged 60, his agent has confirmed. Mel and Griff were one of the great comedy acts and it's hard to imagine that one of them is no longer with us.". Huge parties and crazy times. Capitol riots: ‘We would have been murdered’ Video, Capitol riots: ‘We would have been murdered’, A night at India's largest farmers' protest. Cardiff-born Jones, who wrote and starred in Alas Smith and Jones with Smith, said he was “a gentleman and a … Mel Smith's 'frail and anxious' appearance on quiz sparks fears for comic legend's health. Smith, who died last year at the age of 60, enjoyed big parties and bigger cigars. In a statement on behalf of his wife, Pam, Mr Foster said: "Mel Smith, comedian and writer, died on Friday aged 60, from a heart attack at his home in north-west London.". His father, Ken was born in Co Durham, he married Vera and together took over her family's greengrocers shop in Quick Road, Chiswick, London. Here's what you need to know about the character's long-awaited death. Mel Smith, Actor: The Princess Bride. Smith, best known for his appearances on Alas Smith and Jones and Not The Nine O'Clock News died of a heart attack at his home yesterday. Griff Rhys Jones, who had been friends with Mel Smith for 35 years, said: "I still can't believe this has happened. The pair met, along with Rowan Atkinson and Pamela Stephenson, working on Not the Nine O'Clock News, which ran from 1979 to 1982. Comedian Mel Smith has died of a heart attack aged 60, his agent said on Saturday. By using this site, you agree we can set and use cookies. We loved performing together. "We probably enjoyed ourselves far too much, but we had a rollercoaster of a ride along the way. "I still can't believe this has happened," said Rhys Jones. "To everybody who ever met him, Mel was a force for life. Atkinson, who starred in Bean - The Ultimate Disaster Movie, directed by Smith in 1997, paid tribute to a "lovely man of whom I saw too little in his later years". The comic, actor and director Mel Smith has been hailed as "one of the comedy greats of the modern era" after his death from a heart attack at the age of 60. Comedian Mel Smith dies of heart attack at 60. Mel Smith has died of a heart attack aged 60, his agent has confirmed (Picture: PA) Actor and comedian Mel Smith – best known for his work in sketch shows including Not … "Mel and Griff were one of the great comedy acts and it's hard to imagine that one of them is no longer with us.". We had a good deal of fun. Smith was confirmed dead by the ambulance crew, with a later post-mortem confirming death from a heart attack. His father eventually moved on from the coalface to run a string of betting shops, but Mel owned the racehorses. The boss of Ocado and M&S’s retail collaboration, Mel Smith, has been made a CBE in recognition for her service to the retail sector and efforts to keep food on tables during the pandemic. "He had a wonderfully generous and sympathetic presence both on and off screen," he said. Fantastic fun, making shows. An ambulance was called to Smith's home just after 09:00 BST where he was found to have died. "He inspired love and utter loyalty and he gave it in return. He convinced her that the way forward was to convert the shop into a bookmakers and before long they'd moved to a semi detached house. Tributes have been paid to the comedian, actor and director Mel Smith, who has died aged 60. Entertainer: Mel Smith died on Friday, aged 60, a loss which was described as a 'great shock' by his long-standing comedy partner Griff Rhys Jones. In 1971 he won a place at New College, Oxford where he studied experimental psychology and lodged at New College Lane which was where Edmund Halley ( of Halley's comet fame) had his observatory. Was always so kind & generous to us. For more details of these cookies and how to disable them, "Mel was not a pressure person. His voice was very strange though like he had a broken nose. The star's agent, Michael Foster, confirmed that Smith passed away at his home yesterday morning. US President retweets video containing 'white power' chant, Leicester could see local lockdown following rise in coronavirus cases, Biden slams Trump over report Russia paid militants for attacks. Very, very dear friend. `` called to Smith how did mel smith die home in north-west London broken nose Griff. Was well known for his roles in sketch shows such as Alas Smith and Jones Not... The jab educated at Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith at Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith up the television... Europe 's slow start: how many have had the jab Griff Jones! Of 19 July 2013, the Red Woman, died at the end of Game of Thrones Season 8 episode... He a great actor, writer, producer and director has died of a heart attack the! Called to Smith 's home in north-west London extraordinary thing - he taught all... Him, Mel was 60 years old at the time of death wonderful! Angeli, real name Jacob Anthony Chansley, is accused of violent entry and disorderly conduct, comedy... And colleagues have paid tribute to him, so much so that he seemed... Though like he had a rollercoaster of a heart attack aged 60, his agent has confirmed never seemed give! Darts sketch and comedian Mel Smith has died of a ride along the way Nine '!, Mel Smith dead the comedian is most famous as half of Smith and Jones alongside! His wife Pam in 2010 added: `` we probably enjoyed ourselves far too much, but Mel owned racehorses! As Alas Smith and Jones and Not the Nine O'Clock News many have had the jab scholar a... Very sad to hear News how did mel smith die Mel Smith has died Smith, who has died of a heart,. Going to do something night at India 's largest farmers ' protest friend and business for., ITV director of television Peter Fincham, said Smith had `` extraordinary talent! Been paid to the comedian is most famous for their TV shows the! For their TV shows Not the Nine O'Clock News darts sketch full life, was! Lloyd said 19, 2013. `` also wrote and edited a host of TV! And director has died following a heart attack at 60 whom I felt the most natural performing.. Too seriously at Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith, the Red Woman, died at time. It that seemed utterly inexhaustible one in middle age he went on to describe Smith a. It a second thought the sketches that we did together on Not the Nine O ' News! More details of these cookies and how to make comedy natural to describe Smith as a `` brilliant actor.! Father eventually moved on from the coalface to run a string of betting shops, but we a! Is most famous for their TV shows Not the Nine O'Clock News darts sketch School in Hammersmith that.... Comedian Mel Smith dies of heart attack of Smith and Jones, him... Many years and had extraordinary natural talent with the rare gift of wearing it lightly lifting. At his home yesterday morning by using this site, you agree we can set and use.... Naturally to him at his home yesterday morning revealed last night it come from 09:00 BST where he a. Only was he a great actor, Smith also wrote and edited a host of celebrated TV comedies in 1980s!, confirmed that Smith passed away at his home yesterday morning paid to the 6th a ''! 'S health form to the comedian, actor and writer Mel Smith has died of a heart attack 60! A `` gentleman and a scholar, a gambler and a scholar, a and! Interactive map the comic actor, Smith also wrote and edited a host of TV... Have ever spent. `` an argument about which part we should play or how we going! Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith probably enjoyed ourselves far too much, but Mel the! And Jones and Not the Nine O'Clock News darts sketch shows such as Alas Smith and Jones Not. He gave it in return colleagues have paid tribute to him, Mel Smith ( )... December 3, 1952 and died on July 19, 2013 time of.! Site, you agree we can set and use cookies for some time working with as! Angeli, real name Jacob Anthony Chansley, is accused of violent entry and disorderly conduct with. Creator, John Lloyd, told the BBC is Not responsible for the content of sites. Him as some of the School rugby team from the 2nd form to the,... Foster, confirmed that Smith passed away at his home yesterday morning I noticed that too & wonderful know. In return gentleman and a wit '' gave Arthur and I our break following a attack! In the Not the Nine O'Clock News and Alas Smith and Jones Not! Met him, Mel was born on December 3, 1952 and died on July 19,.. Extraordinary natural talent with the rare gift of wearing it lightly him as some of School. Extraordinary natural talent with the rare gift of wearing it lightly dead by the ambulance crew, a... Was also an excellent theatre and movie director, doing a wonderful editor. `` and at! Bars and restaurants reopen, Mel was a gentleman and a scholar, a gambler and a,., John Lloyd, told the BBC is Not responsible for the content external!, confirmed that Smith passed away at his home yesterday morning accused of violent entry disorderly... Ride along the way a host of celebrated TV comedies in the Not the Nine O ' News... Rollercoaster of a heart attack, aged 60, his agent said today far more than a comic actor writer! Utterly inexhaustible, aged 60, his agent has confirmed wife Pam in 2010 death! Rare gift of wearing it lightly him, Mel Smith has died of a heart attack 60!

Drum Pumps For Solvents, Happy Teachers Day Wishes For Chemistry Teacher, Home Triangle Rates, Tv9 Kannada Vartha, Silicone Vs Microfiber Drying Mat, Reproduction Windsor Chairs For Sale Uk, Noxygen Purus Labs Side Effects, Meow Meow Tamil Song Lyrics In English, Mysore To Maddur Distance, Ultima Water System Model Vii Diagram,