British Actor Michael Byrne Dies at 82

British actor Michael Byrne died on June 20 at the age of 82. His death was confirmed that afternoon, though a cause and location have not been announced. His former wife Carole Nimmons cared for him in his final period.

Byrne appeared as Colonel Vogel in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade in 1989. He played the elderly Gellert Grindelwald in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 released in 2010. Additional film credits include a nationalist soldier in Braveheart, a Royal Navy task force commander in Tomorrow Never Dies, and parts in The Eagle Has Landed, A Bridge Too Far, Force 10 from Navarone, and Apt Pupil.

On television, Byrne portrayed Ted Page in ITV's Coronation Street from 2008 to 2010. The character arrived in Weatherfield in spring 2008 and disclosed he was gay within one week of reuniting with his daughter Gail. He was written out in 2021 when Gail learned of his death.

Earlier television appearances include Smiley's People, Sharpe, Hornblower, Midsomer Murders, and Casualty. Byrne joined the Old Vic ensemble in 1963 and performed in productions including The Royal Hunt of the Sun and Trelawny of the Wells. His stage work continued with a 2018 appearance in Robert Icke's Mary Stuart at the Duke of York's Theatre.

Byrne launched his film career in 1963 with small roles in The Scarlet Blade and The Silent Playground. His first major film role came in 1972 as Edward Seymour in Henry VIII and His Six Wives. He is survived by his former wife Carole, daughters Tara and Bryony, and grandchildren Tom, Chloe, and Jasmine.