Banshees Of Inisherin actor Gary Lydon has died aged 61.
The Irish actor was known for starring in the 2022 drama alongside Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Barry Keoghan, where he portrayed the violent and intimidating island garda Peadar Kearney.
His son, James Doherty O’Brien, said Lydon will be “sorely missed”, and his death came as a “huge shock” to the family, according to a statement to RTE.
The statement said: “He will be sorely missed by me and my brother Seanluke, our mother Kara, his beloved partner Paula and her daughter Aoife, and all his brothers and extended family.
“Despite all his success and achievements, his greatest pride was being a father. We will miss the many ways he loved and protected us.
“We will carry all our amazing memories with him forever in our hearts.”
The stage and screen actor was also known for starring in The Guard, Cavalry and the series The Clinic.
He grew up in Wexford, Ireland, where he became involved with the local theatre company, Wexford Arts Centre.
In a statement on Sunday on behalf of Wexford Arts Centre, executive director Elizabeth Whyte described him as “one of the finest actors in Ireland” adding that the arts centre was “deeply shocked and saddened” by the news.
The statement said: “Gary had only recently returned to our stage as the magnificent Phil in the terrific production of Of Mornington by Billy Roche, directed by Pete McCamley of Ad Personam Cultural Events who also co-produced the production with Gary Lydon Productions.
“Gary had honed his craft as one of the finest actors in Ireland on the Wexford Arts Centre stage in many of Billy Roche’s plays. He forged a stellar career performing across Ireland & the UK.
“He will be remembered by us most fondly for his mesmerizing performances on the arts centre stage in productions of The Boker Poker Club (A Handful of Stars), One is not a Number, Lay Me Down Softly A Handful of Stars revival by Four Rivers Theatre and most recently as Phil in Of Mornington, the role he most wished to play & he embodied to perfection.”
According to Whyte, Lydon’s final role on the Wexford stage was alongside his son, O’Brien.
The statement continued: “The lights in the theatre world are dimmer due to the loss of Gary, but we will cherish the memories of his performances with reverence.
“Deepest sympathies to his family, friends, stage & screen colleagues & to Billy Roche, his creative alliance collaborator for over forty years.”
