At the end of the evening performance of The Roundabout Theater Company's revival of "The Caretaker" on Sunday, 28 December in New York, Patrick Stewart raised his hands to silence the applause. And then in a trembling voice, visibly moved, he said (and this is from memory so it may not be exact):
"Ladies and gentlemen, at the second intermission, I received news from London that the great actor, Alan Bates, has died."
(At this point, a large portion of the audience gasped audibly. It was very dramatic.)
He went on:
"As you may know, he originated the role of Mick (gesturing towards Aiden Gillen on the stage) in London so magnificently 43 years ago.
(He was so upset he actually said 63 years ago. I've corrected him.)
"So if we could all take a moment to honor him."
I used my moment to start composing this.

AR, New York City

In an age when most performers are surrounded by scandal, Alan Bates is being remembered for his good looks, stunning performances and devotedness to family and friends. What better tribute could anyone ask for? Sweet dreams, Sir Alan.

DS, Illinois

I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Sir Alan Bates this past weekend, so much so that I have not been able to write about it till now. Not that I can have much new to say, as I never knew him except as a great admirer of his work as an actor. His talent was huge, his range protean, his accomplishment astounding. And there was a dimension to his work more difficult to characterize: he somehow delivered the person he was playing right to you, as a whole character, whether he was playing sympathetic characters or villains, whether carrying a large lead role, a smaller role, or playing as part of an ensemble. The character and the character's emotion was immediate, inescapable, and personal, whoever the character.
I saw Michelangelo's Pieta at the Vatican exhibit in the 1964-65 World's Fair in New York, and I was pierced by it emotionally. I did not stop to consider, at that moment, what techniques Michelangelo might have used to produce exactly the finish on different parts of the work, or how he chose the block of marble he used, or what might have led him to create exactly this work in this way. I was far too busy being overwhelmed by the emotional impact of the work of art in front of me. And when I got back home afterwards, and I looked up facts about Michelangelo's life and work, those facts, along with a listing of his masterworks, didn't tell me very much: saying he had sculpted this and painted that or designed the other conveyed relatively little beyond the bare facts, while the emotional impact of the piece itself had told me a great deal about him as a worker of masterpieces, but almost nothing that could be put into words.
The appeal of Alan Bates and his stature as an actor also goes far beyond a recital of roles he has played and awards and honors he has received. He was far more than the sum of his parts, in every sense. To have seen Alan Bates in a role is to have let that character into your life. But it also meant letting the actor Alan Bates into your life as a worker of masterpieces.

PM

I logged on to the website in search of Sir Alan reading poetry and with shock read of his illness and death over this Christmas past. I am stunned I had no idea...How feeble words are to describe the grief I feel and the thankfulness for his presence and the love and spirit I felt from him and for him and his work - how inspiring, what joy and strength they brought me and so many others.
I grew up in Iowa and will never forget driving to Cedar Rapids to see the American Film Theatre production of Butley. His performance embedded itself so deeply in my consciousness - I subsequently purchased the soundtrack album and listened to it and to this day I can recite the entire play ... he is a part of our creative consciousness. It is through this wonderful website that I learned that his humanity as an actor grew from his soul, his love for family, friends, life and his immense generosity to us.
I teach drama and we are reading the Cherry Orchard and as I had planned for us to view his performance we will have our own tribute to him. ... Peace and grace to you Sir Alan, for all the grace that you have given us.

BW, Oregon

To Benedick Bates: With deep hurt I come to know the death of your father, with whom I was with on stage on the Benevento, Italy, Film Festival. I send you my sympathy for the loss of such a charming and irreplaceable person.

MC, Italy

My grandmother had the great good fortune to obtain a part as an extra in "Far From the Madding Crowd." She met Alan Bates and the rest of the ensemble. They all signed her copy of the novel. Shortly after that she visited us in Canada and presented me with the book which I have treasured ever since. My grandmother's comments about the film were mostly centred around Alan Bates, his kindness to her, his lovely personality, and of course his acting skill. I have since seen the film several times as well as most of his other work.
When I heard of his death while watching the Oscars, I had a moment of total shock which took my breath away. I felt such a sense of loss which became understandable when reflecting that Alan Bates, alive and well, had always been a tenuous connection with my grandmother who had long since passed away. I thought about the book which I have carefully tucked away, which he handled and upon which he wrote his name.
I am so completely overwhelmed by the concept of these tiny connections we develop and how a person never met can mean so much to us that when they vanish from the earth we feel so utterly and completely, a sense of loss that it is physical.
I am sending this email after searching the net for information about Alan Bates and finding his website. It seemed like a wonderful opportunity to explain to others how his life and his death have affected me and how he lived in me for all of my adult life.

VB, Canada

It's been thirty years that I've carried my crush on Alan Bates. It started with Gabriel Oak in "Far From the Madding Crowd," and will continue until I go into whatever remainder bin novel writers go into when they die. There's a little of Alan Bates in all of my major male characters.
Happily, Alan Bates is immortal, and will be remembered, not remaindered. He was not just a handsome man, but a supremely talented player. All these years, I hoped somewhere, somehow I might have the honor of meeting him, but it never happened. He was so handsome, and such a wonderful, subtle actor who made it all look so effortless, when in fact acting is probably the hardest art of all. He was classically trained, but he could play so many different roles with style and grace that he was often overlooked in favor of flashier, trashier players. He was Gabriel Oak.
Thank you, Sir Alan. That sound you hear is applause.

HC, Maryland

He will be always in our thoughts - we lost a great actor. Sincere condolences to his friends and family. God bless him.

DS, The Netherlands

It was with great sadness that I learned of Alan Bates' death last week. In the moment that the NPR reporter announced the news, Alan's wry, smiling face and sparkling eyes flashed in my mind.
I had the great honor of meeting and working with Alan while making the film EVELYN. It took five years, to bring that production together. When, just days before shooting was to begin, our casting director told us that Alan had agreed to play the critical role of Irish lawyer Tom Connolly, we had the icing on the cake! Pierce Brosnan, Aidan Quinn, Julianna Margulies, Stephen Rea and Sir Alan Bates - now that's a dream cast!
Everyone - cast, crew, producers and the like were excited when Alan's shooting days showed up on the call sheet. Watching him, listening to him become the role of Connolly, it was as if the part was written just for him. He eased into it - Irish accent and all - as though he was putting on a comfortable, well-worn coat. On and off the set, he stole the show - but not because he was trying; simply because he was being himself. If you've seen the film, then you know that he steals every scene.
At the film's premiere in London earlier this spring, the audience was thrilled to see some of the film's stars including Pierce Brosnan and young Sophie Vavasseur (in the title role), but when Alan took to the stage, he received a standing ovation - and the film hadn't even begun yet! A reaction like that speaks volumes.
The magic and mystery of Alan Bates graced the lives of those of us involved with that very special film. It was a privilege to watch him do what he did best. He left his mark - a mark that will be cherished forever. 2004 will be a paler year with his absence.

CP, California

Un gran vacío dejas imposible de explicar con palabras. Contigo se ha ido una parte importante de mi vida.

CV, Spain

A beautiful thread in the tapestry of my life: I was 14 years old and watching the Friday night movie on TV. It was "The Running Man." I saw Alan Bates for the first time, and like so many others, I was instantly captivated by his charm, his dignity, his beauty, his energy and his talent. I have seen every piece of his work I have been able to locate, and for nearly 40 years he has (unknowingly) been an ongoing motif in my life. I am deeply saddened to hear of his passing, and offer my sincerest condolences to his family and all who loved this fine gentleman. I will always mourn the fact that I never had the opportunity to see him perform on stage, but will cherish the memories he has left us. The world is a different place now.

TE, Australia


You mention Mr. Bates' attention to detail in your eulogy to him. In the early 70's , Mr. Bates appeared in a theatrical production ( Butley ? ) in the San Francisco Bay Area. I was a teenager at the time and had had a massive crush on him for several years, dragging my poor boyfriend to every 'Alan Bates' film that came out. I tried to get tickets for the play, but they were sold out, so I had to sit across the Bay in Berkeley, eating my heart out at the temptation of his being so close geographically and yet so inaccessible.
My mother - and this was a very strange thing for her to do - wrote Mr. Bates a note at the theatre (without my knowledge) and a few days later I was utterly amazed to receive a signed photograph with a brief personal note from him in the mail. I was totally blown away! I can only imagine how busy he must have been, and to take the time to write a note to a dumb lust-filled teenager was an absolutely wonderful thing to do. He must have been a terrific person as well as a terrific actor.
Thank you for allowing me to write and share my recollection (very small) of this amazing man.

K, Oregon

I feel heavy-hearted since I heard the news of his death and I can't think of him, his glances ("Am I a reward or a punishment?" - a terrific gift, dear Sir Alan!) and gestures without having a lump in my throat. It will take time to re-invent our lives without his new works! ...
I feel part of a big family of people loving Art and sharing affections for a very special person. We, the BA family, have lots of things in common. "One day, one perfectly routine, perfect in its routineness, routine in its perfectness...", we fell in love with a Michael Henchard, a Gabriel Oak, a Guy Burgess ... from Derbyshire, started collecting his films, went to theatres to see him, sent him season's greetings, sometimes we dragged our lazy partners to the cinema on cold winter days when they wanted to watch a football match on tv, rejoiced for his success and felt sad for his misfortunes ... and now this. We are an immense group of people mourning for losing a friend sometimes we didn't even know!
Grazie, Karen, for allowing us to work through this sorrow together. It's a little bit easier.
My deepest sympathy is with his beautiful family and friends. ...
Ad Alan, che e stato cosi importante nella mia vita come in quella di molti altri.

RF, Italy

I am shocked and deeply saddened upon hearing the news of the passing of Sir Alan Bates. I will miss the the most talented film actor that ever was and a decent human being. God bless you and I will pray for his gentle soul.

SM, Montana

I first saw Alan Bates in "The Four Seasons" in Coventry; his co-star was then wife of actor Sean Connery [Diane Cilento - ed]. It was a great play but the thing that stands out in my mind is one scene where they have piles of this slippery dough on a table it was special dough, phillo or some such; ... they were attempting to make an apple strudel. The secret is to pull and stretch it till it covers the entire table. Alan's energy and the sheer gusto of his performance were a joy to behold as the pastry kept breaking and falling apart. He was flying around the table patching it up and just making it a fantastic scene for all who were lucky enough to be there to witness it. I will never forget how inspired he was. That night as we were all filing out of the Belgrade Theatre who but Sean Connery brushed past me - who cared, I'd just seen Alan Bates.
After this I was a devoted fan. My prized possession is a lock of his hair tied with a red ribbon along with a personally signed photograph. What kind of person does this? Alan Bates!  My friend whom I was a drama school with years before did a stint of dressing in Stratford and got to know him, she often baby-sat his twins and she must have been there one day when he was having his hair cut. Knowing my friend she told him of this rabid fan, and he was kind enough to allow the cutting and took the time, and trouble, to sign the photograph. Mr. Bates, you signed my photograph. "Nothing but the Best" - the same applies to you.

JP, Colorado

We were so saddened to hear of the death of Alan Bates whom I have admired and respected since I was a teenager in London in the late 1950s. ... We enjoyed "Love in a Cold Climate" just a couple of months ago, when it was shown in Israel ... Please extend our sympathies to his family.
I would also like to thank you personally for the beautiful tribute to Alan Bates and the excellent Archive. Yours sincerely,

RS, Israel

A friend and I attended "Melon" at the Haymarket Theatre in London, 1987. After the performance we went to a cafe nearby, and it turned out that Sir Alan was there also. We wanted to tell him how much we enjoyed the play but did not want to disturb him. So we called the waiter over and asked him to take a note to Sir Alan after we had left the restaurant.
We crossed the two lanes of roadway, and stood there thinking that we had missed a great opportunity to say hello in person. Suddenly out popped Sir Alan's head looking for us. The next thing we knew, he crossed the two lanes just to say hello to us and to meet us. We were thrilled!! He was such a beautiful person. To think that he cared that much to interrupt his meal and seek us out!

HC, Canada

Cher Alan Bates, vous vivez encore dans nos souvenirs...

MP, Canada

I read with some almost physical shock of Alan Bates' passing in our paper here in Australia yesterday. 
Growing up in Africa, I never had the opportunity to see him on stage, but to me he will always be one of the unsung "greats" of our time. His body of film work will stand testament to this extraordinary actor whose very presence in a film - no matter the quality - ensured a heightened interest factor.

TK, Australia

I remember being 17 and watching a film on tv about Nijinsky's life. However, it was the man who played Sergei Diaghilev that captured my attention. Ever since, I have searched for every play, every movie that Alan Bates starred in. And ever since, I've admired and loved that handsome, charismatic actor. God Bless you, Alan Bates.

R, Portugal

When I was a teenager he was my absolute favorite actor and a bit of an obsession. After seeing "Butley" I wrote one of the three fan letters I've written in my life and sent it along with two children's drawings as gifts for his twins. I got a lovely, typewritten note back telling me the children enjoyed the drawings. Even then I knew that this was probably a bit of kindness as, thinking back, they were probably not very good at all. Today I went through my boxes of old letters and found the yellowed envelope. It's lovely to have something of him now that he's, sadly, gone.

DT, New York City

My deep sorrow for the death of Alan Bates is still acute here in my heart and it rises more and more. A part of my life went away forever. ...Every time I was thinking about Alan and seeing him in a VHS or DVD, my greatest hope was to have the honor of seeing him perform onstage. I rejoiced thinking that in that moment he was working somewhere to offer us another of his wonderful performances.
Ciao Alan, I hope you are feeling all this love from your "big family"! Ti porteri sempre nel mio cuore.

MM, Italy

I just learned about Sir Alan's death a few minutes ago. I had read elsewhere that he was ill, but was hoping for the best, even though I was prepared for the worst.
I want to extend not only my sympathy and best wishes, but also my appreciation to you for the incredible work you did in putting together and maintaining the Archive. No one could have done a better job ... and, certainly, no actor deserved it more.

Stephen Rourke, Chairperson, Friends of the Biltmore

I didn't know Mr Bates personally but, when I was 15 and full of dreams of being a great actor, I wrote to him saying how much I admired his work and how I wished to one day be an actor too. In truth Alan Bates was a sort of hero figure that I longed to know; I even wrote to 'Jim'll Fix It' asking to meet with Mr Bates but like many that wrote in, I received no reply.
I did, however, get a reply when I requested from Mr Bates, a signed photograph; writing back he explained how he had just had some new ones taken and that he would send one as soon as he could. A couple of weeks later I received a signed photo and a short note wishing me well in my hopes of being an actor.

AB, England

Thank you for your lovely tribute to Alan Bates. ... I am also saddened by his passing. When I was a teenager, Mr. Bates came to star as Richard III and as Master Ford ("The Merry Wives of Windsor") at the Stratford Shakespearean Festival here in Stratford, Ontario, Canada (in 1967). My friend, Liz and I were also working there selling refreshments to patrons during intermissions. We were very excited that a big British movie star was coming to our theatre, and were not disappointed. We loved his performance in both shows. By the end of that year I had seen the whole shows several times, and the last act of his Richard III at least 17 times. (I couldn't see the whole thing every time because I was working. Damn.) The house manager would slip us into the back of the auditorium, after we had finished our intermission shifts as "cart girls".
My father was on the board of the local Art Gallery and during the opening of the summer show, Mr. Bates attended. My father took some photos of him. Liz and I decided that he should have some, and lacking the nerve to approach him, we decided to leave one on his car, more or less anonymously. We left this note: "To Mr. Bates, from two fans, Jane and Liz". We stood some distance off to watch him emerge from the stage door and go to his red Ford Mustang (a very sporty car!) He smiled at the photo stuck in the window by the driver's door. We were all giggles and determined that every performance of "Richard III", he should receive a gift. So, we provided more photos, roses from my mother's garden (from what became the "Alan Bates rose bush" - an apricot-coloured rose), chocolate bars, a plastic horse (for the reference "A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse") and more - each with the same note from "two fans."

One matinee we had just left a gift, and were sitting on a low stone wall some distance off. Suddenly we realized he was coming out the stage door. We were trapped. We looked away and tried to ignore him but then we heard his voice: "Jane and Liz? Are you Jane and Liz?". We were turning inside out as you can imagine. We tried to pretend we didn't hear, but our obvious red faces gave us away. We confessed. He was lovely to us, thanking us profusely for all our little gifts. After that we would usually give him his gifts in person. He often wore a safari-style jacket with pockets, and I recall one time running up with a chocolate bar while he was signing autographs at the stage door. He said: "Thank you. Just put it in my pocket." and I did.
Once, it embarrasses me to say now, we offered to wash his car, and the Festival allowed us to hook up the garden hose and wash it down. My father took a few pictures of that little event! Another moment that I now am embarrassed about was when I invited him to dinner at my parents on his final weekend in Stratford. He declined graciously. Poor man! To be asked out to dinner by a sixteen-year-old!

Another time, Liz and I were just heading to a movie when we ran into him, with a couple, presumably going for dinner at the Queen's Inn in downtown Stratford. He yelled hello to us and we waved back. After the show, we were waiting for the bus outside the hotel when he and the couple emerged. He said he wanted us to meet them and introduced them as Nat and Richard. We talked to the very pretty woman for at least ten minutes about the movie we'd just seen ("Up the Down Staircase"), and then we left on our bus. The next day, I learned by the buzz in the papers that it was Natalie Wood and Richard Gregson. Later that day we got her autograph and I actually apologized for not recognizing her. She was very gracious.
When Mr. Bates was nominated for the Academy Award for "The Fixer" in 1968, we sent a telegram to him in Los Angeles, wishing him luck, but I have no idea if he ever received it. We had our fingers crossed for him that night!
When he came to Toronto to appear in "The Master Builder" a few years ago, Liz and I (still best friends after all these years) went to see it. We brought a box of chocolates from the local chocolate-maker - one I'm sure he would have known from his time in Stratford - and bought a rose to put on top of it - one that was as close to the "Alan Bates Rose" as possible. We decided to drop it off, with a card saying "From two fans, Jane and Liz", at the stage door for him. And there he was, standing talking to the doorman! Liz bravely said: "Mr. Bates, you probably don't remember us but..." and told who we were. He was delighted to see us and gave us each a big hug and said "Of course, I remember you! How could I ever forget my two fans in Stratford!" It was a great thrill for two middle-aged women who had all but stalked the poor man many years ago. I've often thought of how kind he was to two, very young, star-struck fans. After the show, we went back to compliment him and get his autograph - one last time - on our programmes. We had a chat with him and an older man, who he told all about us.
I still have my "Alan Bates Box" full of clippings and photos and autographed house programmes, including one from Natalie Wood!

I am now the Archivist (and exhibitions coordinator) at the Stratford Festival, and have worked there for more than 30 years now. I was even in a few plays as an extra, including two directed by Mr. Bates's friend, Brian Bedford. The theatre celebrated its 50th season in 2002, and as part of the celebrations we put up exhibits and displays of costumes and photos. I put up a beautiful approximately five-foot-high image of Mr. Bates as Richard III, with his actual red coronation robe and crown from the production (part of our archival collection). It still hangs there with other illustrious actors such as Sir Alec Guinness, Irene Worth, Christopher Plummer, and more, with their costumes. We are going to change the costume displays this coming season, but I will now leave Mr. Bates's section up and plan to add a memorial tribute to him there - for all to read this coming season.
What a wonderful actor and human being! I've enjoyed his work all these years, and have always wished that he would return to act here. I've followed his career and his personal life - from a distance! - and rejoiced at his marriage, the birth of his twins, and was very saddened at the death of his son and his wife. Now I join you in sadness at the loss of this lovely gentle man. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

JE, Canada

I had to reach out to you today. This is such a sad day and I almost cannot find the words to express my immense sorrow at the news of Alan's passing. ...I always thought he would be there to entertain and amaze with his talent. I sincerely hope Alan knew how much his fans loved and appreciated his immense gift. ...My thoughts and prayers are with Alan's family today. I'm sure Alan passed on as he lived, with grace and dignity. ...I will never have the great honor of seeing Alan perform live. How naive I was to think, "I'll catch him next time" And now sadly, there will not be a next time. I will truly miss him.

KP


My husband told me with much tenderness after we left church today that he had some very sad news to tell me and that he wanted to wait until we had a private moment. So many memories floated around - the D.H. Lawrence seminar in college and losing count of how many times my friends and I had seen the film "Women in Love," ... meeting a couple in an English Bed and Breakfast whose son had ridden the Darbyshire bus with Alan Bates ... my boldness in taking a few photos while Alan took his bows at the end of "Butley." This last is now a very precious memory because I sent copies of the pictures to him and received a lovely note in response.  
From everything I have just read here in the Archive Alan Bates seemed to be the charming, loving  and devoted friend and father I imagined him to be as well as a talented and wonderful human being. ...I will miss him and the happy times in my life that he was a part of. Thank you for all the wonderful stories on this website.

LS

My partner and I met Alan near Rye around 1990. He was such a kind man and invited us to to spend the next day with him in Canterbury. We didn't know him until a party the previous evening (Alan was friend to a friend of ours) and it was very kind of him to make such an offer to two Americans he had just met. I can't tell you how much fun we had with Alan over the next couple of days. He was an incredible man, so much fun to talk to, so gentle and kind. My partner was 23 and dying of AIDs at the time - I think he took pity on him and his condition. It meant a lot to him and to me
May God bless and keep him on his journey into eternity. I will never forget him. Thank you for this wonderful site.

BA

As a child, I saw Alan Bates in "Nothing But the Best" having snuck into this 'grown-up' movie in the Naafi theatre in Germany. I was immediately pulled in by that delicate, playful complicity combined with such robust joyful physicality. I have never been disappointed since, whether it was on stage or in film.
I think of the elegiac moment at the end of Cayocannis' "The Cherry Orchard," when he tenderly escorts Charlotte Rampling out the door so many years after "Georgy Girl." He gave such pleasure with his talent, and I will miss him terribly. 

LAC, California

Please forward my condolences and love and best wishes to Ben and all of Alan's family and friends. Alan was a wonderful actor and I had been a fan since childhood. One of my most vivid childhood memories was my mum mysteriously switching off the television prior to the infamous scene in "Women In Love," we had no idea why for a long time.
I hope that the knowledge that Alan's work gained him the love and respect of myself and thousands of other fans is of some comfort to his family and friends at this time. He will be very sadly missed.

MG

I remember one part of FORTUNE'S FOOL where Bates' character was talking and trying to pick something up. The audience did not understand the technique involved in making this seemingly innocuous bit of business a part of explaining the person, but they "got" the whole internal world of the character from what Alan Bates did there on the stage. It seemed to me much of his career was making the difficult look exceptionally easy.
As an actress I can only view the arc of this career with a kind of awe. Years ago I thought someday I would act with him, but my own life went another direction, and now I was audience to his wonderful performances. ... He was a star without the trappings, simple and shining in the theatrical heavens. He gave substance to that profession, and was an inspiration to those of us who always believed the world was a great and satisfying drama in which we could be capable of playing many parts.

CE

Sir Alan was capable of touching the soul with the lift of a brow, the nod of his head, the graceful movement of a hand, and the penetrating glance from the most beautiful eyes in filmdom. His artistry, and his integrity, will be deeply missed. I hope that he has found peace, and I take comfort in the fact that he will live on in film, and in the hearts of those who loved and appreciated him, forever.
Thank you for creating this website, and for allowing those of us who cherish the man, his work, and now, sadly, his memory, to express our thoughts.

CF, Pennsylvania

I have so many happy memories of meeting Alan after performances. A note to the stage door beforehand would always guarantee a warm and friendly chat with him after the play. Although a very private man, he was prepared to give his time to talk to fans, or 'friends' as he would gallantly descibe them. The excitement of watching him in a live performance with the happy anticipation of meeting him afterwards, is an experience that will never be re-captured, and was something my husband John (who was usually with me) would affectionately tease me about. I can hardly believe it will never happen again.
On one occasion, when he was in Simply Disconnected at Chichester (1996), I had written well in advance to request a meeting, enclosing a card wishing him good luck on the first night. No reply was received, so I put in a note at the stage door on the day, and we had our usual delightful chat with Alan. Nothing was mentioned about the letter and we assumed it had been forgotten. Two weeks later, on the last day of the play, the telephone rang: "It's Alan Bates. I've been clearing out my things and I've just found your letter... I'm not sure whether I thanked you for the card when we met..." I was quite speechless with astonishment and excitement for a minute or two, while he continued to repeat his (unecessary) apologies, before I managed any kind of response. I was deeply touched by his kindness and courtesy in bothering to telephone me - just another middle-aged fan.
God grant you rest and reward for all the happiness you bestowed, Alan.

JP, England

I just want to cry. I've been a fan of Sir Alan's for about 6 or 7 years now & it has only been over these last few months that I had started collecting his movies, etc. I was hoping to see him onstage sometime soon but now that will never be.
My deepest sympathy to his family & to you who had a great opportunity to know him personally. God Bless Sir Alan.

PH, Illinois

In 1970, whilst living in London, I went twice to see him perform in Butley and stood happily for hours in a overcrowded theatre to see him  perform Hamlet. Since those memorable times, I tried to see all the films he appeared in and always hoped I would return to England and see him once more on stage. ... Reading Karen Rappaport's wonderful memories of him confirms that Alan was the warm, loving and generous person I thought he would be. We shall miss his enormous talent but at least we shall have his films to remember and enjoy. My condolences to his family. Rest peacefully, Alan.

MDL, Australia

Please allow me to take this opportunity to congratulate you on the wonderful piece you did concerning the untimely passing of Alan Bates. ...
I had always admired Mr. Bates's catalog of work, but none more so than "Women in Love" and "Georgy Girl" After seeing these films when they first came out, I must admit to having had a huge teenage crush on him! He always struck me as such a caring individual ... He always seemed to emote the 'regular' guy about him, never putting on selected airs or trying to be something he wasn't.
I don't usually write letters such as this, but I had to do so. I am sure that in the coming days, the newspapers and media world will present THEIR versions of his life, albeit in a much more cold and calculated manner, rather 'here today and gone tomorrow', and never inject their mountains of words with any semblance of humanism about the man himself.
..Please accept my condolences and know that they are given with a heavy heart indeed.

MFS

How saddened I am to hear of the death of Sir Alan Bates. He was a massive influence on my life, after bringing "Far From The Madding Crowd" to life. From thence he inspired my love of literature and the arts, and consequently into a career of journalism and writing.
Together with my sister, we traveled to many towns in the country to watch him on stage. I remember each one, each stage set, the smell of each theatre and most of all the presence he brought to the production. I reverently recall his "Muse of Fire" and my eyes still brim with tears when I reminisce him reciting "Tyger, Tyger" by Blake. We met him briefly at the Riverside Studios, London, and we are star struck as any teenager(!), but Alan was relaxed and informal, taking a coffee break before resting between his performances.
What an actor and how privileged we have all been to benefit from his prowess, and what a legacy he has left behind for us to continue to enjoy. I wish he had written an autobiography but most of all I wish he hadn't had to die.
My sympathies are with his family, close friends and colleagues and my prayers are with him. Thank you for the gifts of inspiration and memories.

JEM

Alan's wife Victoria roomed with my sister when she lived in New York. When Alan was doing "Butley" in New York, he once played me an Elvis Presley record, was horrified that I did not recognize him, and told me that Elvis was his King and idol.
I was in my early 20's and wanted to be an actor (I'm not), and Alan was very generous, talking with me seriously about it, and telling me about his early times. He told me that his first realization that he might be an actor was when he was thirteen or fourteen. A teacher cajoled him to read in a poetry reading contest at school. All of the other contestants were girls, and he did not want to do it. But when he read he realized he was quite good at it, and liked it when he won the prize. He was funny and wonderful to be with.

JS

As a chronic visitor to your wonderful website honoring Sir Alan Bates, I was very touched by your thoughts and reminiscences about him. Though I never had the privilege of seeing him in person, I've been in awe of him since I was a child, viewing the lovely film, "Whistle Down the Wind". The subtlety, humor and depth of understanding of each of his finely drawn portrayals will always be there, thanks to dvd & vhs - How lucky you were to know him. I hope that his family and friends will remember these qualities in the time to come, as they learn to live with his physical absence. Thank you for your excellent website.
I've posted a small notice re: his passing on the Turner Classic Movie forum.

MF

I've been a fan of AB since the 1970s, and have greatly enjoyed his work on film and audio for decades. I finally had the opportunity to meet him in person after a stage performance of "The Unexpected Man." All those years I knew he was handsome, but when I finally met him I was struck by what a beautiful man he was. His eyes were gray and the irises were lined in black, which gave him a most striking look that was never appreciated until one was near him; he was warm, pleasant, and totally at ease with this star-struck fan. He was genuine and wonderful. One is tempted to say "he was a class act," but his was no act; he truly was class.
I am thankful that we can continue to enjoy so much of his work on film and audio.

FW, New Jersey

Our loss is posterity's gain. Deepest condolences. ...The photo on your cover page is exquisite. As was the man. 

AB, Connecticut

So very sad at his passing; this is an irreparable loss.
But you know what's wonderful? Finding out that such a great artist was also a really nice guy. How often does that happen?

TM |||

Photo © Charles Green, taken in Alan's garden, 1996