Comedy legend Brian Murphy, best known for his work on the 1970s sitcoms Man About the House and George and Mildred, has died at the age of 92.
Murphy passed away at his home in Kent on Sunday morning, with friends and family paying tribute to the late actor.
The actor was best known for his appearance in comedy sitcoms but continued to appear in various TV shows throughout his career.
More recently the actor appeared in the sketch programme The Catherine Tate Show as Neville and the ITV sitcom Benidorm as Clive Mitchell, as well as the comedy show Last of the Summer Wine as Alvin Smedley.
Murphy’s wife Linda Regan commented: ‘I was lucky to have in my lifetime found my soulmate. Brian who I will love forever.’
On X, Regan posted a picture of the pair kissing with a caption that read: ‘My love for you will never die. RIP sweetheart’.
My love for you will never die. RIP sweetheart pic.twitter.com/nVVfJ0bJ6J
— Linda Regan (@Linda_Regan) February 4, 2025
Fans and friends have paid tribute to the late actor on social media.
His friend and agent Thomas Bowington told BBC News that Murphy was a ‘joyful and profoundly good-hearted man’ as he paid tribute to his ‘talent and humanity’.
‘Some actors capture an aspect of their historical moment. The combover, the knitwear, the wheedling and fussing – Brian Murphy was the absolute exemplar of a certain kind of postwar masculinity – the salaryman born slightly too early for the Permissive Society. RIP, ‘ said DrMatthewSweet.
‘I first met #BrianMurphy some 20 years ago, through my friend, the filmmaker Stanley Long. #ManAboutTheHouse was always my fave sitcom, so meeting him was a thrill. Brian was so gracious, eloquent, and incredibly friendly. Everything you heard about him is true. #RIPBrianMurphy,’ said filmmaker Simon Sheridan.
The actor, who was born in the Isle of Wight, began his acting career in the 1950s when he became a member of the pioneering Theatre Workshop.
The workshop was founded by theatre director Joan Littlewood and her partner Gerry Raffles and began Murphy’s close relationship with Littlewood that would kickstart his career.
Murphy went on to appear in various Shakespeare productions directed by Littlewood and acted in her only feature film, the kitchen sink comedy Sparrows Can’t Sing.
The actor is survived by his two sons, Trevor and Kevin, from his previous marriage to Carol Gibson.
He is also survived by his wife of 30 years, Linda Regan, best known as an actress and her role in Hi-de-Hi!
