British actor Helen McCrory has died aged 52 after battling cancer, her husband confirmed in a statement this afternoon.
Posting on Twitter, he wrote: “I’m heartbroken to announce that after an heroic battle with cancer, the beautiful and mighty woman that is Helen McCrory has died peacefully at home, surrounded by a wave of love from friends and family.”
He continued: “She died as she lived. Fearlessly. God we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. She blazed so brightly. Go now, Little One, into the air, and thank you.”
McCrory was born in Paddington, London and began her acting career in theatre. One of her first breakthrough screen roles was in Stephen Frears’ The Queen where she played Cherie Blair, a role she reprised in 2010’s The Special Relationship. An accomplished actor, she worked with leading directors from Martin Scorsese in Hugo to Wes Anderson in Fantastic Mr Fox.
Many will also know McCrory for her role as icy matriarch Narcissa Malfoy in the three final Harry Potter films. In television, she graced our screens in Doctor Who, Peaky Blinders, Fearless, Quiz and much more.
In 2017, Helen McCrory was appointed an OBE for her services to drama. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was a leading figure in the Feed NHS campaign that raised nearly £1m for NHS workers’ meals.
McCrory leaves behind her husband, fellow actor Damian Lewis, as well as daughter Manon and son Gulliver.
Words by Steph Green
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