Ian Gelder dead at 74: Game of Thrones and Torchwood star dies after cancer battle – as husband pays emotional tribute
The couple had been together since 1993
GAME Of Thrones star Ian Gelder has tragically died at age 74 after a battle with cancer.
His husband, fellow actor Ben Daniels, announced his tragic passing in a heartfelt tribute this evening.
The couple had been together since 1993 after meeting during a production of Joe Orton’s Entertaining Mr Sloane.
The Crown star wrote: “It is with huge huge sadness and a heavy heart broken into a million pieces that I’m leaving this post to announce the passing of my darling husband and life partner Ian Gelder.
“Ian was diagnosed with bile duct cancer in December and yesterday he passed at 1.07pm.
“I’d stopped all work to be his carer but neither of us had any idea that it would all be so fast.
“He was my absolute rock and we’d been partners for more than 30 years. If we weren’t together we spoke to each other everyday.
“He was the kindest, most generous spirited and loving human being. He was a wonderful wonderful actor and everyone who worked with him was touched by his heart and light.
“I honestly don’t know what I’ll do without him by my side. He coped with his dreadful illness with such bravery, with no self pity. Ever.
“He was remarkable and will be so missed. This pic was taken at Christmas time after I’d got him out of hospital and even though he’d gone through the worst three weeks there you can still see his joy and love shining through.
“Rest well my sweet Chianni. Xxxx”
Ian donned stages, TV and silver screens in hundreds of roles over the last 50 years.
His is well known for his role as Kevan Lannister in Game of Thrones.
After an absence of three years, Gelder reprised his role in Season five and Season six.
Fans will also remember him for the part of Mr Dekker in Torchwood: Children of Earth.
In 2019, he guest-starred as Librarian Scholar Charles in the BBC TV series His Dark Materials and in 2020 guest-starred as Zellin in Doctor Who.
His credits also include roles in TV series London’s Burning and Agatha Christie’s Poirot, while he had numerous credits in productions in London’s West End and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
