Pete Postlethwaite, 1946-2011

I am so very sorry to hear about our friend's and colleague's death. I am a thespian myself, and like him, very keen and fond about Shakespeare's works. I am simply shocked that someone as talented and multi-faceted as Pete was, should leave us at such an early age (over sixty today, should not be considered old). I am convinced that he would still have astonished us all with many, many more roles to come. Alas, this will not become a reality now. We can only cherish at what he leaves behind for us to watch and watch again, to study, to understand and to admire. His particular appearance and unique face, but above all, his "speaking eyes" (he could say nothing and still say volumes with them) will stay impressed in all of our minds. My sincerest condolences go to all those who are and were close to him. For them, far more than for us, this is a true tragedy and an immense loss. People like Pete cannot ever be replaced by anyone else. His uniqueness will follow us as long as someone will have the gift of memory.

It sounds mean now the man has gone but, just to set the record straight, he wasn't always an amicable man to work with - in fact several friends thought he could be downright nasty. Still, he knew his craft, that's for sure, and he did understatement well.