A CORONATION street star has died aged 84 after a stellar career spanning five decades – including TV’s first gay kiss scene with Ian McKellen.
James Laurenson, who moved to Britain from his native New Zealand in the early 1960s, worked in theatre, television and film.
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James Laurenson, who moved to Britain from his native New Zealand in the early 1960s, has worked in theatre, television and film Credit: ITV/Shutterstock
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James as Reverend Peter Hope in Coronation Street 1968 Credits: Rex
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He appeared in The Crown as Doctor Weir – a Scottish physician and homeopath who served as physician to the RoyalCredit: Netflix
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Afterparty of the Othello Press Night in London on 4 December 2007. Credit: Rex
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In 1970, James Laurenson (right) made television history in Christopher Marlowe’s Edward II as Piers Gaveston, performing the first gay calf kiss with Ian McKellen (left) Credit: Alamy
He made his film debut in 1969 with a small role in Ken Russell’s Women in Love.
In 1970, he entered television history in Edward II. Christopher Marlowe as Piers Gaveston, performing tele’s first gay kiss with Sir Ian McKellen.
Sir Ian once said that kissing James, who was not gay, “was a bonus throughout the race”.
Fans flocked to social media to pay tribute to their favorite actor.
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One wrote: “I’m so sorry to hear that the great actor James Laurenson has died. I’ve seen him on stage many times over the years and even if I didn’t like the show too much, if his name was on the cast I’d never was disappointed.”
Another added: “Very sad to hear that James Laurenson has died. He was a wonderful actor and I feel lucky to have seen him at the RSC a few times. He seemed like a gentle soul. His way with words was exemplary, giving and echoed in almost every script he worked with.”
Fellow actor Geoff Leesley said: “Farewell to my friend and good, good actor #Jameslaurenson – heartbroken.”
Another wrote: “He really was a beautiful and lovely man. So funny, so kind and a fantastic actor.”
James appeared in Coronation Street in May 1968 as the Reverend Peter Hope of St Mary’s Church.
CROWN
He appeared in The Crown as Doctor Weir – a Scottish physician and homeopath who served as King’s Physician.
James became a regular guest in Peter Hall Company productions after it was founded in 1998.
Hall said he was “a great actor, because he had that everyday quality. All great actors carry this quality with them: when they walk on stage, they do it for us.”
In 2011, he was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for appearing as the Ghost and the Player King in Nicholas Hytner’s production of Hamlet.
He was an excellent actor, because he had that everyday quality. All great actors carry with them this quality: when they walk on stage, they do it for us
Peter HallFounder of the company Peter Hall
Normally a speech-heavy role, one reviewer said James helped turn “a play within a play into a poignant tragedy within a tragedy.”
And Stephen Sondheim sent an ecstatic email highlighting James’ performance.
He wrote, “When I found myself crying on the Ghost scene, I knew something special was happening to me (Mr. Laurenson gets my gold medal).”
EARLY LIFE
James was born in Marton on the North Island of New Zealand on February 17, 1940.
He once said his earliest memory was “seeing a Lockheed Hudson flying over our house and being told my father was in it.”
His father was also a great amateur actor.
When James first arrived in London, after attending University College Canterbury in Christchurch, James said “the first thing I learned was that it was very difficult to find work and to be offered scripts”.
He added: “You’ve got to have a passion for acting – Hollywood might knock, but on the other hand you can spend a lot of time unemployed.”
In the late 1990s James moved from London to Frome in Somerset and spent many busy years as a regular guest in Peter Hall Company summer festival productions at the Theater Royal, Bath and on tour.
He relaxed “walking our dog, Maisie, down by the River Mells” and was happiest “tucked up with his lady listening to Oscar Peterson and Dizzie Gillespie play If I Were a Bell,” he told the Western Daily Press in 2012.
His first marriage to actress Carol Macready ended in 1997. He is survived by his second wife, Cari Hays, and son Jamie from his first marriage.
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Head shot circa 1975. Credit: Getty
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James in Measure for Measure at the Theater Royal in Bath in 2006. Credit: Rex
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James Laurenson in The Care Of TimeCredits: Rex
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