Frank Barrie dead: EastEnders star and theatre legend whose career spanned 5 decades dies aged 88 as tributes flood in
The actor, director and writer was incredibly successful as a Shakespearean actor throughout his career and in 2010 featured on the long-running BBC soap.
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EastEnders star and theatre legend Frank Barrie has died at the age of 88
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He had featured in episodes of EastEnders from 2010 to 2011, playing choir master Edward Bishop - a friend of Dot Cotton
Credit: BBC
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Frank was well-known for his frequent portrayals of Shakespearean characters
A statement from Frank's agency Scott Marshall Partners stated he passed away on June 30 "peacefully at his home", comforted by his wife Mary and daughter Julia.
It read: "It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved client, Frank Barrie, at the age of 88.
"He died peacefully at home, with his wife Mary and daughter Julia."
His appearances on EastEnders in 2010 and 2011 marked his most recent time on screen, playing choir master Edward Bishop - a gentleman friend of veteran character Dot Cotton, portrayed by the late
Prior to this final appearance on TV, Frank had featured in countless Shakespearean productions, including Macbeth, Hamlet, and The Merchant of Venice.
His acting debut came in 1959 during a production of Henry IV, Part 2 at the York Theatre Royal.
From this came a five-decade-long career in acting, including the creation of his one-man show Macready!.
After a number of Shakespeare roles with the Bristol Old Vic, Frank then joined the National Theatre in 1969.
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This led him to play many leads in Laurence Olivier's company, including Mirabell in The Way of the World with Geraldine McEwan, Wendoll in A Woman Killed with Kindness with Joan Plowright, and Bassanio to Olivier's Shylock in The Merchant of Venice.
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