Actor Tom Chadbon dies aged 80

Actor Tom Chadbon dies aged 80

Tom Chadbon, a veteran character actor who appeared in Game of Thrones, Doctor Who, and a James Bond film, has died at 80.

The news was shared via a social media post by Fantom Events, a publishing company for which Chadbon was a client. The organization, which also holds Doctor Who-themed events that the actor frequently attended to meet fans, stated:

"We are sorry to hear the news that Tom Chadbon passed away last weekend. Tom was a familiar face to many from his numerous television and film credits, including Doctor Who, James Bond and Game Of Thrones. He was always a warm and friendly man to work with and we send our condolences to his family at this sad time."

Fantom Events, via social media

Originally from Bedfordshire, Chadbon maintained a versatile career across television and film. He was frequently cast in supporting roles, becoming a recognizable presence in long-running series such as Casualty, where he portrayed Professor Henry Williams, as well as The Bill, Holby City, Silent Witness, and Heartbeat.

His work extended to a wide variety of genres. He appeared in The Memoirs Of Sherlock Holmes, Father Brown, Midsomer Murders, and Taggart. His television credits also include Blake’s 7, Within These Walls, Where The Heart Is, and Wire In The Blood. In 1995, he held a recurring role in the legal drama Crown Prosecutor.

Chadbon is particularly remembered by fans of BBC sci-fi for two distinct roles in Doctor Who. In 1979, he played private detective Duggan in the serial City of Death, appearing opposite Tom Baker’s incarnation of the Doctor.

Tom Baker previously spoke of his former co-star in 2009, stating:

"Tom Chadbon was terribly funny. Terribly funny! I used to love the other actors – I was always trying to help them make things funnier, or more dramatic."

Tom Baker, via AOL

Chadbon returned to the series in 1986 during The Trial of the Time Lord. In this appearance, he played Merdeen, a servant to the robot Drathro, who assisted the sixth reincarnation of the Doctor, played by Colin Baker, in opposing a corrupt system on the planet Ravolox.

In 2008, he appeared in a series five episode of the Channel 4 sitcom Peep Show. He played Martin, also known as Indiana Ashdown, the new boyfriend of Jeremy's mother. One of his final television roles came in 2017, when he appeared as High Septon Maynard in the seventh season of the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones.

His filmography spans several decades, with roles in cinema throughout the 70s and 80s. His credits include The Beast Must Die (1974), Juggernaut (1974), Tess (1979), Coming Out Of The Ice, and Dance With A Stranger. He also appeared in the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale as a stockbroker.

Tributes have poured in from viewers on X/Twitter, with fans noting that his performance as Duggan was a really big part of why City of Death is considered one of the best episodes of the Tom Baker era. The Peep Show fan account Dobby Club also referred to the actor as a legend.