Latest news with #IrishCulturalCentre
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Tributes roll in for 'warm-hearted' Coronation Street star
Appearing at regular intervals from 2008 to 2015, he played the father of Paul Connor, Liam Connor and Michelle Connor. Grimes even made a return in 2015 to attend Michelle's wedding to Steve McDonald. RIP Frank Grimes aka Corrie's Barry Connor. — Stuart Beck (@StuartBeckMP) August 6, 2025 In a statement, the Irish Cultural Centre said: "Frank was undoubtedly one of Ireland's greatest actors, he was a dearly loved friend of the ICC's and over the past three decades, he trod the ICC's stage on so many occasions. "Anyone who saw Frank perform his riveting self-penned production 'the he and the she of it…' A Portrait of James Joyce', will know what a thrilling, powerful, unforgettable performance it was! "Frank performed this superb tribute to his hero James Joyce, on whom he was an expert, three times at the ICC, and each time, every night he received standing ovations! "Frank was a spell-binding actor who had the most beautiful mesmerising voice and he often appeared on the radio show 'Bright Side Of The Road.'" They added: "Frank was so warm hearted, full of Dublin wit and charm in abundance and he had a beautiful sparkle in his eyes. "We know that Ireland has lost one of it's truly great actors, the vintage of which is so rare and may never ever be matched again. Recommended reading: "We are so sad to have to say goodbye to Frank, but we are also so blessed to have known him, to have worked with him and seen him perform. "We send our sincere condolences to his wife Ginnette, his daughter Tilly, his son Andrew, his seven grandchildren and to all his extended family. "We also send our condolences to all of Frank's friends and loved ones - May Frank sleep easy now."
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Tributes paid to Strumpet City star Frank Grimes
Tributes have been paid to the Dublin actor Frank Grimes, best known for his roles in Strumpet City and Coronation Street, following his death at the age of 78. The Irish Cultural Centre (ICC) in Hammersmith, London, announced Frank Grimes's passing after a short illness. It described him as "a dearly loved friend of the ICC" and one of Ireland's "truly great actors". In its tribute, the ICC said: "Frank Grimes was born in Dublin, he trained at the Abbey Theatre, and was a member of the Abbey Players. "He scored an early success as Brendan Behan in Borstal Boy at the Abbey in Dublin, Paris, and on Broadway, where he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor and was voted Most Promising Actor by the New York critics." "Frank worked extensively in the theatre in London; at the National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal Court and in London's West End," it continued. On television, Frank Grimes was hailed for his role as the naive, young priest Father O'Connor in the RTÉ adaptation of James Plunkett's Strumpet City, winning a Jacobs Award for his performance. His other television credits included playing Barry Connor in Coronation Street and roles in Mrs Brown's Boys, Doctors, Casualty, Fair City, The Bill, and Blind Justice, among many more. His film credits included A Bridge Too Far, When the Sky Falls, War of the Buttons, and Britannia Hospital. Frank Grimes also wrote and starred in the one-man show The He & The She of It - A Portrait of James Joyce. "We are so sad to have to say goodbye to Frank, but we are also so blessed to have known him, to have worked with him, and seen him perform," the Irish Cultural Centre concluded. "We send our sincere condolences to his wife Ginnette, his daughter Tilly, his son Andrew, his 7 grandchildren, and to all his extended family." Paying tribute, Gerry O'Brien, president of the actors' union Irish Equity, described Frank Grimes as "a fine performer who brought a sense of vulnerability and, as a result, a humanity to all his performances".
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Heartbroken Kym Marsh left devastated by cousin's death days after onscreen father Frank Grimes dies aged 78
Kym said she would miss him "until the end of time". Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HEARTBROKEN Kym Marsh has revealed her cousin has died. The actress and presenter, 49, paid tribute to Carl this afternoon on Instagram, praising his kindness and humour. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Kym Marsh has revealed her cousin Carl has died 4 Kym called her late relative a 'legend' She wrote: "I can't believe I'm writing this. Today our family say goodbye to Carl. My cousin. A legend to all who knew him. "A light turned out far too soon. A huge hole in our lives that will never be filled. Sometimes life makes no sense. There are times when you just can't understand how such cruel things happen, to good honest people. "This is one of those times. Carl was the kindest, funniest, most unique person I've ever known. The memories I have of us growing up, the camping holidays with the fam, the laughs, your silliness, your loyalty." She continued: "You were one of a kind cuz, and I will miss you until the end of time. I wish I could be there today to say my final goodbye, but I know that you know how much I love you. READ MORE ON KYM MARSH glam ma Kym Marsh, 49, reveals she's going to be a grandma for the fourth time "And I know you would be telling me to stop being a silly a**e and stop crying, and that you would want me to be where I am doing what I'm doing. Doesn't stop me wishing I was there, or thinking of my family today, or grieving, or wishing I could make this better for everyone. "I know that the family will give you the best send off cuz and that they will do you proud. We will love you forever and always. Good night god bless my wonderful cousin. Sleep tight." The news comes after her onscreen father in Coronation Street, Frank Grimes, died just days ago. It's understood that Grimes, who played Connor in Corrie over 50 episodes, passed away in the early hours of Friday August 1, surrounded by his family. The Dublin born star was well-respected for his work both in Ireland and in the UK. And announcing his passing, the Irish Cultural Centre in London said Grimes was "one of Ireland's greatest actors." Coronation Street's Catherine Tyldesley breaks silence alongside two huge newcomer signings as she begins filming In a tribute, they said he was "so warm hearted, full of Dublin wit and charm in abundance and he had a beautiful sparkle in his eyes." They continued: "We know that Ireland has lost one of its truly great actors, the vintage of which is so rare and may never ever be matched again. "We are so sad to have to say goodbye to Frank, but we are also so blessed to have known him, to have worked with him and seen him perform. "We send our sincere condolences to his wife Ginnette, his daughter Tilly, his son Andrew, his 7 grandchildren and to all his extended family. "We also send our condolences to all of Frank's friends and loved ones - May Frank sleep easy now and Rest In Peace." The Tony award nominated actor's career spanned several decades and varied from "unforgettable" on stage performances to his stint on soap Coronation Street. In 2008, Grimes made his first appearance as Barry Connor in the soap. He went on to appear in more than 50 episodes of the popular drama before leaving the show in 2015. The actor also played roles in Irish telly hit Mrs Brown's Boys as well as shows and films such as A Bridge Too Far, Tulips of Harlem, The Outsider and Blind Justice. Recalling some of his most "thrilling" work on stage, the ICC said: "Frank was undoubtedly one of Ireland's greatest actors, he was a dearly loved friend of the ICC's and over the past three decades, he trod the ICC's stage on so many occasions. "Anyone who saw Frank perform his riveting self-penned production 'the he and the she of it…'A Portrait of James Joyce', will know what a thrilling, powerful, unforgettable performance it was! "Frank performed this superb tribute to his hero James Joyce, on whom he was an expert, three times at the ICC, and each time, every night he received standing ovations! "Frank was a spell-binding actor who had the most beautiful mesmerising voice and he often appeared on the radio show 'Bright Side Of The Road'..." 4 Grimes played Barry Connor in the soap
The Independent
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Tributes as Coronation Street great dies after short illness
Frank Grimes, the acclaimed actor known for his roles in Coronation Street and Mrs Brown's Boys, has died at the age of 78. His death occurred on 1 August after a very short illness, with the news announced by the Irish Cultural Centre in London on 8 August. Grimes played Barry Connor on the ITV soap Coronation Street from 2008 until 2015. He earned a Tony nomination for his performance as the young Brendan Behan in the stage adaptation of Borstal Boy. The Irish Cultural Centre paid tribute to Grimes, remembering him as "one of Ireland's truly great actors" with immense Dublin wit and charm.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
'Coronation Street' star and stage actor Frank Grimes dies aged 78
Irish actor Frank Grimes, widely celebrated for his work across theatre, film, and television, has died at the age of 78 following a short illness. The Dublin-born performer passed away peacefully in the early hours of Friday, August 1, surrounded by his family, according to a statement from the Irish Cultural Centre (ICC) in London. Grimes was hailed as 'one of Ireland's greatest actors' by the ICC, which remembered him as warm-hearted and full of 'Dublin wit and charm.' The centre paid tribute to his remarkable career and presence, calling him a rare talent who brought unforgettable energy to the stage. Over his decades-long career, Grimes gained acclaim in both Ireland and the UK. He trained at Dublin's Abbey Theatre and appeared in numerous productions there between 1965 and 1972, performing works by iconic writers such as Sean O'Casey, J.M. Synge, Lady Gregory, and Shakespeare. One of his standout early roles was playing Brendan Behan in the 1967 world premiere of Borstal Boy, a production that later transferred to Broadway and earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor. In television, Grimes became known to UK audiences through his role as Barry Connor on Coronation Street, appearing in over 50 episodes between 2008 and 2015. He also appeared in Mrs Brown's Boys, A Bridge Too Far, Tulips of Harlem, The Outsider, and Blind Justice. Grimes was also a noted James Joyce enthusiast. His self-written performance, The He and the She of It… A Portrait of James Joyce, earned him standing ovations during multiple runs at the ICC. He is survived by his wife Ginnette, children Tilly and Andrew, and seven grandchildren. Tributes continue to pour in for the actor from across the theatre and film communities.
