Coronation Street and The Crown star James Laurenson dies aged 84 as tributes pour in
Coronation Street and The Crown actor James Laurenson has sadly passed away at the age of 84 after a remarkable 50-year career in TV and film.
Laurenson made his film debut back in 1969 with a minor role in Ken Russell's Women In Love, and also starred in The Crown in 2016. In the popular Netflix series about the Royal Family, he appeared as Doctor Weir – a Scottish physician and homeopath who served as the royal physician.
The talented actor also made history by performing the first gay kiss on television alongside Ian McKellen. This groundbreaking moment occurred in a 1970 TV adaptation of Christopher Marlowe's Edward II, three years after homosexuality was decriminalised.
Laurenson also appeared in Coronation Street in 1968 as Reverend Peter Hope of St Mary's Church and went on to star in much-loved shows including Spooks, Taggart, Prime Suspect and Midsomer Murders.
In 2011, he received an Olivier award nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of the Ghost and the Player King in Nicholas Hytner's acclaimed production of Hamlet, reports the Mirror.
Tributes have been made online, following the news of his passing. One person said on X: "Very sad to hear that James Laurenson has died. He was a wonderful actor and I count myself lucky that I saw him at the RSC a few times. He seemed like a gentle soul. His way with words was exemplary, giving feeling and resonance to pretty much any script he worked with. RIP."
A second person said: "I'm very sorry to hear that superb actor James Laurenson has died. I saw him many times over the years on stage, and even if I did not much fancy the play, if his name was on the cast list, I bought a ticket. I was never disappointed. RIP."
Laurenson was born in New Zealand on 17 February 1940, before arriving in London in the early 1960s.
According to The Telegraph, Laurenson recalled that “the first thing I learnt is that it is really hard to find work and be offered scripts. You have to have a passion for acting – Hollywood might come knocking but on the other hand you may spend vast amounts of the time unemployed.”
His first marriage to the actress Carol Macready ended in 1997. He is survived by his second wife, Cari Haysom, and his son Jamie from his first marriage.
