John Woodvine is no more.

John Woodvine, the celebrated British actor whose distinguished career spanned stage, film, and television, has died at the age of 96. Known for his prolific work with the Old Vic, the National Theatre, and the Royal Shakespeare Company, as well as memorable screen performances in An American Werewolf in London and Netflix’s The Crown, Woodvine’s passing was announced by his agent, Phil Belfield, who stated that he died peacefully at home. The location of his residence was not disclosed.

“John was an extraordinary actor and had a fabulous and varied career in all areas of the industry including work on stage in over 70 productions including at the Old Vic, National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company, and on screen in numerous roles including in Young Winston, An American Werewolf In London, Dragonworld, Persuasion, The Crown and most recently in the film Enys Men. John was greatly admired by all and will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all those who met, knew and worked with him. We are all the richer to have known him,” Belfield said in a statement.

Born on July 21, 1929, in South Shields, County Durham, Woodvine trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, graduating in 1953. He joined the Old Vic a year later, embarking on a stage career that would see him perform in productions such as Macbeth, As You Like It, Henry IV, Part One, Henry IV, Part Two, Romeo and Juliet, and Othello. In 1956, he appeared on Broadway in four Old Vic transfers: King Richard II, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and Troilus and Cressida. He later returned to Broadway in 1981 in The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby.

Woodvine’s stage work earned him numerous accolades, including the Olivier Award for Best Comedy Performance in 1987 for his portrayal of Sir John Falstaff in the Old Vic’s production of The Henrys.

On television, he had recurring roles in the British crime series Z Cars (1963-1969) and New Scotland Yard (1972-1974). He appeared as the Marshal of Atrios in the 1979 Doctor Who season “The Armageddon Factor” and played Frank Gallagher’s father in the British version of Shameless in 2005. In 2016, he appeared in four episodes of The Crown as the Archbishop of York.

His film work included John Schlesinger’s Darling (1965), Ken Russell’s The Devils (1971), Dragonworld (1994), Miss Potter (2006), and Enys Men (2022). Among his most widely recognized performances was his role as Dr. Hirsch in John Landis’ 1981 classic An American Werewolf in London, where he treated the protagonist, played by David Naughton, after a werewolf attack.

Woodvine is survived by his wife, actress Lynn Farleigh, and their daughters, Mary and Emma.