R.I.P. Simon MacCorkindale

Very sad news for fans of the tv show MANIMAL and even JAWS 3-D…

British actor Simon MacCorkindale (1952-2010) has lost his fight against cancer at the age of 58.

The star, known for his role as Dr. Harry Harper on hit U.K. hospital drama Casualty, passed away at a London clinic on Thursday night with his wife, actress Susan George, by his side.

MacCorkindale went public with his cancer battle last year, revealing doctors had discovered a tumour in his bowel in 2006. He learned the cancer was terminal after it spread to his lungs in 2007.

The actor began his career in the theatre and made his West End debut in a production of Pygmalion.

He shot to fame after starring in Agatha Christie murder mystery Death on the Nile in 1978, and went on to star in small screen hits Dynasty and Dukes of Hazzard.

However, MacCorkindale will perhaps be best remembered for his appearances in 1980s U.S. series Manimal and Falcon Crest, as well as the six years he spent on Casualty.

Paying tribute to her husband, actress George says, “No-one could have fought this disease any harder than he did since being diagnosed four years ago.

“He fought it with such strength, courage and belief. Last night, he lost this battle, and he died peacefully in my arms.

“To me, he was simply the best of everything, and I loved him with all my heart. He will live on in me forever.”

Source: IMDB