Succession's Brian Cox 'constantly' thinking about his own death

Edinburgh Live

07-07-2025

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Actor Brian Cox has candidly revealed that he's "constantly" contemplating his own mortality. The 79 year old Succession legend admits he frequently ponders exactly how his final curtain will fall.
Brian's illustrious acting journey has stretched across more than six decades, featuring memorable performances in blockbusters like Troy, Braveheart, and Manhunter. However, the veteran actor has experienced a remarkable renaissance in his seventies, thanks to his powerhouse role in Succession.
In the critically acclaimed series, Brian portrays Logan Roy, the ruthless CEO and founder of media conglomerate Waystar RoyCo, reports the Express. The programme chronicles the Roy dynasty's vicious power struggles as they vie for control of the empire whilst Logan's health deteriorates.
Brian's commanding performance earned him both a Golden Globe and an Emmy award. The role's impact has been so profound that strangers now regularly stop him on the street, channelling Logan Roy's trademark aggression by telling him to "f*** off".
Despite Succession propelling Brian's career to unprecedented heights, he remains almost "contemptuous" of wealth, according to The Times.
(Image: Getty)
Having emerged from a working-class Catholic upbringing in Scotland, Brian maintains he "hasn't changed" despite achieving stardom.
Although Brian has long abandoned his Catholic beliefs, he continues to find the faith fascinating, particularly regarding what lies beyond. He revealed to The Times that he regularly catches himself speculating about his eventual death.
He said: "My great fantasy now I'm in my late seventies is, 'How am I going to die?' I think, maybe I'll get run over, maybe I'll fall down stairs. A lot of people die by falling. So I'm constantly fantasising about my demise."
(Image: Getty)
Brian, who confesses he's "embarrassed" by the affluence that accompanies his acting career, has penned a one-man show about his life's journey from Dundee to Tinseltown, with all its accompanying highs and lows.
Even before his stint on Succession, he was hailed as one of the finest actors of his era. A classically trained Thespian and a method actor, he boasts two Olivier Awards for his theatrical performances.
(Image: Getty)
His solo performance, All About Me!, will feature Brian taking the stage alone in the first act, followed by an interactive second act where producer Clive Tulloh joins him to field audience questions. The actor promises the venture will be "lots of fun".
He commented: "I am looking forward to this tour as it marks something a little different for me - sharing the stage with myself. As the title indicates, the show will focus more than ever on my life and career.
"In the second half, the tables are turned and the audience will have the chance to put their questions to me. It should be a lot of fun."
Brian's tour is set to kick off in Northampton come October, wrapping up with a grand finale at the Adelphi Theatre in London's West End come November.