Coronation Street star Frank Grimes dies aged 78 as tributes paid to ‘one of Ireland’s greatest actors’
TRIBUTES have poured in for “one of Ireland’s greatest actors” and former Coronation Street star Frank Grimes.
The acting legend, whose lengthy career spanned TV, film and theatre, passed away aged 78 after a short illness.
It’s understood that Grimes passed away in the early hours of Friday August 1, surrounded by his family.
The Dublin born talent was well-respected for his work both in Ireland and in the UK.
And announcing his passing, the Irish Cultural Centre in London said Grimes was “one of Ireland’s greatest actors.”
In a tribute, they said he was “so warm hearted, full of Dublin wit and charm in abundance and he had a beautiful sparkle in his eyes.”
They continued: “We know that Ireland has lost one of it’s truly great actors, the vintage of which is so rare and may never ever be matched again.
“We are so sad to have to say goodbye to Frank, but we are also so blessed to have known him, to have worked with him and seen him perform.
“We send our sincere condolences to his wife Ginnette, his daughter Tilly, his son Andrew, his 7 grandchildren and to all his extended family.
“We also send our condolences to all of Frank’s friends and loved ones – May Frank sleep easy now and Rest In Peace.”
The Tony award nominated actor’s career spanned several decades and varied from “unforgettable” on stage performances to his stint on soap Coronation Street.
In 2008, Grimes made his first appearance as Barry Connor in the soap.
He went on to appear in more than 50 episodes of the popular drama before leaving the show in 2015.
The actor also played roles in Irish telly hit Mrs Brown’s Boys as well as shows and films such as A Bridge Too Far, Tulips of Harlem, The Outsider and Blind Justice.
Recalling some of his most “thrilling” work on stage, the ICC said: “Frank was undoubtedly one of Ireland’s greatest actors, he was a dearly loved friend of the ICC’s and over the past three decades, he trod the ICC’s stage on so many occasions.
“Anyone who saw Frank perform his riveting self-penned production ‘the he and the she of it…’A Portrait of James Joyce’, will know what a thrilling, powerful, unforgettable performance it was!
“Frank performed this superb tribute to his hero James Joyce, on whom he was an expert, three times at the ICC, and each time, every night he received standing ovations!
“Frank was a spell-binding actor who had the most beautiful mesmerising voice and he often appeared on the radio show ‘Bright Side Of The Road’…”
‘VERSATILE ACTOR’
Grimes was born in Dublin in 1947 and trained at the Abbey Theatre in the city.
In a tribute, sharing snaps of Grimes on stage during a production of Borstal Boy, the theatre said: “A versatile actor, Frank performed in various productions on both the Abbey and Peaock stages from 1965 to 1972, including plays by Sean O’Casey, Lady Gregory, Oliver Goldsmith, Thomas Kilroy, J.M. Synge, Willliam Shakespeare, Bernard Shaw and Tom MacIntyre.
“He’s pictured here, on stage, as a young Brendan Behan in the 1967 world premiere of Borstal Boy by Brendan Behan, adapted by Frank McMahon; and alongside Niall Tóibín in the rehearsal room. Transferring to Broadway, the production of Borstal Boy at the Lyceum Theatre in New York won the Tony Award for Best play with a Best Actor in a Play nomination for Grimes.”
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
