British playwright Tom Stoppard, a playful, probing dramatist who won an Academy Award for the screenplay for 1998’s Shakespeare In Love, has died. He was 88.
In a statement on Saturday, United Agents said Stoppard died “peacefully” at his home in Dorset in southern England, surrounded by his family.
“He will be remembered for his works, for their brilliance and humanity, and for his wit, his irreverence, his generosity of spirit and his profound love of the English language,” they said. “It was an honor to work with Tom and to know him.”
When it comes to the world of comic invention and linguistic pyrotechnics, few dramatists of the 20th century could match Stoppard’s scope and sustained success.
From his earliest hit, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, in 1966, through to 1993’s, Arcadia, and, Leopoldstadt, in 2020, Stoppard engaged and amused theatre-goers with a highly individual brand of intellect.
His writing was often philosophical or scientific, but consistently funny, a distinctive style that gave rise to the term Stoppardian. It refers to the use of verbal gymnastics while addressing philosophical concepts.
“I want to demonstrate that I can make serious points by flinging a custard pie around the stage for a couple of hours,” the Czech-born Stoppard said in a 1970s interview.
“Theatre is first and foremost a recreation. But it is not just a children’s playground; it can be recreation for people who like to stretch their minds.”
Stoppard arrives at Westminster Abbey for a memorial service for theatre great Sir Peter Hall on September 11, 2018, in London, England [Jack Taylor/Getty Images]
Early years
Stoppard was born Tomas Straussler on July 3, 1937, in what was then Czechoslovakia, the son of Eugen Straussler, a doctor, and Marta (or Martha), nee Beckova, who had trained as a nurse.
The Jewish family fled the Nazis and moved to Singapore when he was an infant.
But Singapore also became unsafe, and, with his mother and elder brother Peter, he escaped to India. His father stayed behind and died while fleeing after Singapore fell to the Japanese.
In India, Marta Straussler married a British army major, Kenneth Stoppard, and the family moved to England.
Boarding school followed at Pocklington in Yorkshire, northern England, before Stoppard left school at age 17.
He decided not to go to university. Instead, he went straight to work as a reporter on a local newspaper in Bristol, in western England.
While he found reporting daunting, he threw himself into working as a theatre and cinema critic, and his love of drama took hold.
Stoppard accepts the award for Best New Play for ‘Leopoldstadt’ at the 76th annual Tony Awards in New York City in 2023 [Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters]
Award-winning career
His breakthrough came with the overnight success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe of, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, a tragicomedy centred around two minor characters from Shakespeare’s, Hamlet.
It moved to London’s West End, before winning a Tony Award for best play in the United States.
“What’s it about?” was a frequent response from bemused theatre-goers about the play. Tired of being asked, Stoppard is said to have replied to a woman outside a theatre on Broadway: “It’s about to make me very rich.”
He later questioned whether he had said “very”, Hermione Lee wrote in Stoppard’s authorised biography, but he had undoubtedly managed to transform his previously precarious finances.
Indeed, Stoppard would go on to win numerous awards on both sides of the Atlantic for his work.
He was knighted in 1997, and in 2014, he was crowned “the greatest living playwright” by the London Evening Standard Theatre Awards.
To non-theatre-goers, he is best remembered for his work in cinema, which included the Indiana Jones and Star Wars franchises.
In 1999, he won an Oscar for his screenplay for, Shakespeare in Love, which scooped a total of seven Academy Awards that year.
“He has no apparent animus towards anyone or anything,” said film and theatre director Mike Nichols, who directed the Broadway premiere of Stoppard’s tale of marriage and affairs, The Real Thing.
“He’s very funny at no one’s expense. That’s not supposed to be possible.”
ICONIC Hollywood actor Udi Kier has tragically died aged 81.
The veteran German star, who appeared in popular movies like Ace Ventura and Blade, passed away just weeks after his birthday.
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German actor Udo Kier has died aged 81Credit: GettyKier acted in more than 200 moviesCredit: Alamy
Delbert McBride, Kier’s partner, revealed that the legendary actor passed away on Sunday. He did not reveal the cause of death.
Photographer Michael Childers, who was a friend of Kier’s, has revealed on Facebook that he died in a hospital in Palm Springs, California.
Kier rose to fame after playing villains and monsters across Hollywood and European films, including popular collaborations with Andy Warhol.
Throughout his career, which spanned more than six decades, Kier acted in more than 200 movies.
But his breakout collaborations with Warhol are among his most celebrated.
He starred in the titular roles in both 1973’s Flesh for Frankenstein and 1974’s Blood for Dracula – both produced by Warhol.
Kier once told The Guardian: “I like horror films, because if you play small or guest parts in movies, it is better to be evil and scare people than be the guy who works in the post office and goes home to his wife and children. Audiences will remember you more.”
In 1991, the German actor went on to debut his US role in My Own Private Idaho, which also starred Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix.
His successful Hollywood career included films like End of Days, Blade, Johnny Mnemonic, Armageddon and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.
The actor’s final role was 2025 historical political thriller The Secret Agent, in which he played Jewish Holocaustsurvivor Hans, who gets mistaken for a Nazi fugitive.
Kier was born on 14 October 1944 in Cologne, towards the end of World War II.
His hospital was bombed during the war, and he and his mother were reportedly dug out from rubble.
Kier moved to London at the age of 18 to learn English before starting his successful movie career.
SHE was the blonde beauty that was catapulted into the spotlight after a starring role in this iconic 1989 movie.
The beloved Disney film was a box office success that would go on to span another two spin-offs, with fans lapping up the characters’ pint-sized adventures.
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The 90s star reenacted the famous flick’s plot with a giant spoon and ‘cheerios’Credit: instagram/@amyoneillofficialThe actress stunned in a sexy blue swimsuit for the fan eventCredit: instagram/@amyoneillofficialThe star posed poolside with a giant popcorn bag that’s a hint to the 1989 film
Now all grown up, aged 54, the star recently took to Instagram and wowed with with some fun swimsuit photos while celebrating the film decades later.
Amy O’Neill was just 19 when she played the role of Amy Szalinski in the hit film Honey, I Shrunk The Kids – but her new pics show she seemingly hasn’t aged at all.
Amy stepped out for the Disney+ ‘Dive in Theatre’ screening of the original movie in a blue and pink racer swimsuit, ready to soak up the attractions on offer.
The former child star looked incredibly youthful and svelte in her swimwear, which she complemented with a wide wicker hat and a patterned blue beach skirt.
In her Instagram caption, shared alongside the pictures, Amy enthused that the experience “transported us back to a different time and size”.
In one photo Amy is seen posing with a giant spoon and some giant ‘cheerios’ in a swimming pool, in what was a cheeky nod to her shrunken sized character.
The star later lounged poolside with her fellow movie-goers to rewatch the beloved movie and was snapped standing next to an old-school film screening sign bearing “Honey I Shrunk the Kids 1989 Now Showing”.
Talking to ABC’s On the Red carpet, Amy said: “This whole thing, when I saw the concept and got the invite I thought it was super cool.
“It’s been 36 years since Honey, I Shrunk the Kids came out.
“It’s only in the last couple of years that I’ve done fan events and I’ve gotten the chance to reconnect with fans and see how vibrant the movie still is in their lives and how meaningful it is to so many people.
Amy was also joined by co-star Thomas Wilson Brown, 51, who played Little Russ in the film, the neighbour’s offspring.
On her Instagram post, fans flocked to the comments, with one asking, “How was it reuniting with Thomas?”
Replying to her follower, Amy explained, “Wonderful as always. He brought his grandson to the screening- so adorable!”
While another said, “Just amazing! A shame the other child actors are absent!”
Amy replied, “I wish they’d been there also- but I wish all of you had been there too!”
A third fan penned, “Wow, that Thomas guy grew up to be a hottie!!”
Amy O’Neill starred in Honey, I Shrunk The KidsCredit: AlamyThe actress is still celebrating the film 36 years on from its releaseAmy looked eternally youthful at the special screeningCredit: instagram/@amyoneillofficialShe uploaded a snap watching the film from the poolCredit: instagram/@amyoneillofficial
Another added, “Another of my favourite classic comedy of 80s, everything looks great.”
“Nice pictures Amy O’Neill and Thomas Wilson Brown and you’re looking well by being grown up,” said a fifth in the comments.
Someone concluded, “Very cool. Still one of the best movies of the 80s.”
The award-winning classic movie, starring Rick Moranis and Marcia Strassman, celebrated its 36th anniversary this year.
Amy played Moranis’ daughter in the movie, which produced two sequels, Honey, I Blew Up The Kid in 1992 and Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves in 1997.
The original followed the chaos that ensued when scientist Wayne Szalinksi (Moranis) accidentally minimised his children and the neighbour’s kids.
Ghostbusters star Moranis went on to star in Parenthood, The Flintstones and the two sequels to Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.
As for O’Neill, she had TV roles in Murder, She Wrote and The Young and Restless before Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.
She also appeared in the 1989 Christian Slater film Desperate for Love.
She starred alongside Thomas Wilson Brown in the 1989 filmCredit: AlamyThe two caught up at the special screening three decades on from the film’s releaseThe original movie went on for another two spin-offs which O’Neill also starred inCredit: AlamyFans couldn’t get enough of the original film with Rick MoranisCredit: Alamy
DIANE LADD’s cause of death has been revealed after the Oscar-nominated actress died aged 89.
Her daughter, Laura Dern revealed she had passed away on Monday, November 3 just two months after her husband’s unexpected passing.
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Diane Ladd’s cause of death has been revealedCredit: SplashThe death of the beloved star came just two months after the sudden passing of her husbandCredit: Getty
Diane’s cause of death has been revealed as acute on chronic hypoxic respiratory failure, according to PEOPLE.
Having obtained the star’s death certificate, the outlet said interstitial lung disease, which she had suffered for years beforehand, was one condition leading to her death.
Esophageal dysmotility was listed as another contributing factor – she was reportedly cremated on November 10.
Ladd’s daughter, the actress Laura Dern, shared the sad news of her death in an emotional statement earlier this month.
“My amazing hero and my profound gift of a mother, Diane Ladd, passed with me beside her this morning, at her home in Ojai, Ca,”Laura‘s statement began.
“She was the greatest daughter, mother, grandmother, actress, artist and empathetic spirit that only dreams could have seemingly created.
“We were blessed to have her.
“She is flying with her angels now,” Laura concluded.
TheOscar-nominated actress was 89 years old and appeared to have no plans of slowing down anytime soon, as her last social media post shared her latest project.
In September, the actress posted apromotional photoon Instagram for her new film, The Last Full Measure, which was recently released on various streaming platforms.
Diane also shared a screengrab of one of her scenes in the movie, opposite Christopher Plummer.
She gushed about the production, which was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and her co-stars, including Peter Fonda, William Hurt, Ed Harris, Samuel L. Jackson, and Sebastian Stan.
Diane also teased a potential career pivot into podcasting, sparking a slew of comments from fans excited for what’s to come for the movie star.
Her death came two months after her husband, Robert Charles Hunter,suddenly passed.
Diane Ladd’s Nominations and Awards
Diane Ladd sadly passed away on November 3, 2025, with her daughter, actress Laura Dern, at her bedside. The movie star was famously known for her incredible performances in front of the camera. Here’s a look at all of Diane’s nominations and awards throughout her decades-long career.
Academy Awards Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1975) – Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Nominee) Wild at Heart (1991) – Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Nominee) Rambling Rose (1992) – Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Nominee)
BAFTA Awards Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1975) – Best Supporting Actress (Winner)
Primetime Emmy Awards Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993) – Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series (Nominee) Grace Under Fire (1994) – Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series (Nominee) Touched by an Angel (1997) – Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series (Nominee)
Golden Globes Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1975) – Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture (Nominee) Alice (1981) – Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television (Winner) Wild at Heart (1991) – Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture (Nominee) Rambling Rose (1992) – Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture (Nominee)
Robert, the former PepsiCo CEO, was 77 when he died in August while visiting his family in Fort Worth, Texas.
He was Diane’s third husband, following her marriage to Laura’s father, Bruce Dern, from 1960 to 1969, and businessman William Shea Jr. from 1973 to 1976.
Diane and Robert’s love story began when they met in Sedona, Arizona, and got married in 1999.
They launched a production company together, though Diane is most known for her showstopping performances in front of the camera.
The Mississippi native was nominated three times for an Academy Award for her work in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974), Wild at Heart (1990), and Rambling Rose (1991).
Diane is survived by her daughter, Laura, and her two grandchildren, Ellery and Jaya Harper.
LEGENDARY The Simpsons writer Dan McGrath has died at the age of 61, his family announced.
The award-winning comedy writer, who also worked on Saturday Night Live, died following a stroke, his sister said.
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Dan McGrath wrote some of the most famous episodes of The SimpsonsDan McGrath has died at the age of 61 following a strokeCredit: Collect
Gail Garabadian wrote on Facebook: “We lost my incredible brother Danny yesterday. He was a special man, one of a kind.
“An incredible son, brother, uncle and friend. Our hearts are broken.”
She told Hollywood Reporter that he passed away at NYU Langone Hospital in Brooklyn.
Dan kicked off his career at SNL, when he often collaborated with Adam Sandler.
He then had two stints as a writer for The Simpsons, followed by eight years on King of the Hill.
He went on to win an Emmy for writing the iconic 1997 Simpsons episode Homer’s Phobia.
The episode sees Homer befriending an antiques dealer, and later discovering he is gay.
It was also honoured by GLAAD – which promotes fairness in media – for its anti-homophobia message.
Dan is survived by his wife Caroline, his mother, Eleanor and siblings as well as nieces and nephews.
The writer cut his teeth on Harvard University’s student comedy publication, The Harvard Lampoon.
He landed a job for Saturday Night Live in 1991, and stayed there for two seasons.
During that time, he shared an Emmy nomination.
He began working on The Simpsons in 1992, and wrote 50 episodes across two years.
Dan later received producing credits on 24 episodes from 1996-98.
His most memorable episodes include The Devil and Homer Simpson, Time and Punishment, Bart of Darkness, instalments of the Treehouse of Horror series, Boy-Scoutz ’n the Hood and Homer’s Phobia.
Dan said that both his runs with the show ended with him being fired.
BROADWAY star Elizabeth Franz has died at the age of 84, her husband has confirmed.
The Tony Award-winning actress had been diagnosed with cancer.
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Actress Elizabeth Franz has died at the age of 84Credit: AP:Associated Press
Her husband Christopher Pelham told The New York Times that she died as a result of the disease and a “severe reaction” she suffered from the treatment.
She died at home on November 4 in Woodbury, Connecticut.
Franz is best known for playing Linda Loman in a 1999 Broadway revival of Arthur Miller’s ‘Death of a Salesman’.
It was this role that earned her a Tony Award and solidified her name among other Broadway greats.
That production scooped four awards, including the one given to Franz for best featured actress in a play.
She was also nominated for her performances in ‘Brighton Beach Memoirs’, a comedy by Neil Simon in 1983, and in 2002 for her role in Paul Osborn’s ‘Morning’s at Seven’.
As well as her husband, she is also survived by her brother, Joe.
Away from the big screen, Kirkland was named one of Andy Warhol’s 13 Most Beautiful Women in 1964.
She made history in 1968 by becoming the first woman to appear fully naked in the off-Broadway production, Sweet Eros.
Kirkland in Bruce AlmightyCredit: UnknownKirkland alongside Keith Carradine and Tom Waits in the 1989 flick Cold FeetCredit: AlamyThe actress alongside Robert Redford in The StingCredit: Alamy
Pauline Collins, the star of the film Shirley Valentine, for which she was Oscar nominated in 1990, has died at the age of 85.
She died “peacefully” aged 85 in her London care home surrounded by her family having had Parkinson’s disease for several years, her family said.
Collins will be best remembered for her portrayal of disgruntled housewife Shirley in Lewis Gilbert’s award-winning film, based on the acclaimed stage play by Willy Russell.
Her critically acclaimed performance also won her the Golden Globe Award for best actress along with a Bafta.
‘Witty presence’
Collins’ family said in a statement: “Pauline was so many things to so many people, playing a variety of roles in her life. A bright, sparky, witty presence on stage and screen. Her illustrious career saw her play politicians, mothers and queens.
“She will always be remembered as the iconic, strong-willed, vivacious and wise Shirley Valentine – a role that she made all her own. We were familiar with all those parts of her because her magic was contained in each one of them.
“More than anything, though, she was our loving mum, our wonderful grandma and great-grandma. Warm, funny, generous, thoughtful, wise, she was always there for us. And she was John (Alderton)’s life-long love. A partner, work collaborator, and wife of 56 years.
“We particularly want to thank her carers: angels who looked after her with dignity, compassion, and most of all love. She could not have had a more peaceful goodbye. We hope you will remember her at the height of her powers; so joyful and full of energy; and give us the space and privacy to contemplate a life without her.”
Broadway role
Collins first played the title role of Shirley Valentine at the Vaudeville Theatre in London in 1988. She won that year’s Olivier award for best actress.
The following year she reprised the role on Broadway, New York, where she picked up numerous prizes including a prestigious Tony award.
The film of the same name was released later that year.
Her other films included 1991’s City of Joy with Patrick Swayze, filmed in Calcutta, which brought her wider recognition globally.
Born in Exmouth in 1940, Collins was raised near Liverpool and started out her career as a teacher.
Her love of the stage led her to take up acting on a part-time basis, and in 1957 she had a cameo role as a nurse in the Emergency Ward 10 TV series.
She starred in the film Secrets of a Windmill Girl in 1966, playing a fictional dancer in a London striptease nightclub, the Windmill Theatre.
After a number of stage roles, she used her Liverpool accent to land a role on The Liver Birds.
From 1971 to 1973 she played a maid in the ITV’s popular series Upstairs, Downstairs.
It was through acting that she met husband John Alderton. They married in 1969 and had three adult children, Nicholas, Kate, and Richard.
Alderton and Collins starred alongside each other in a number of television and film roles, such as Upstairs, Downstairs.
Monaghan GAA icon Eugene ‘Nudie’ Hughes has passed away at the age of 67.
In a distinguished career, Hughes won three Ulster SFC titles and a National Football League title, while he was selected as an All-Star three times.
Widely considered Monaghan’s greatest footballer, Hughes was diagnosed with cancer in 2018.
He became the first Monaghan player to win an All Star in 1979 and repeated the feat in 1985 and 1989 when he received further personal accolades.
Hughes was one of only a small number of players to have been recognised in defence and attack, his first All Star coming as a corner-back with the others coming as a corner-forward.
Monaghan won the Ulster title in each of the years he received an All-Star.
Hughes was also part of the team that won the National Football League crown in 1985.
He picked up a Railway Cup medal in 1984 as part of Ulster’s winning side and also won two Ulster football titles with Castleblayney.
In 2024, Hughes was honoured by the Gaelic Players Association with a Lifetime Achievement award.
In an interview with BBC Sport NI’s ‘The GAA Social’ in February of this year, Hughes chose the Farney county’s Ulster Championship final triumph over Donegal in 1979 as his greatest day as a player.
Monaghan beat Donegal 1-15 to 0-11 at Clones on that occasion to end a 41-year wait for provincial glory.
BELOVED actor Tchéky Karyo has died of cancer at the age of 72.
Karyo was best known for his starring role in the film Nikita, James Bond hit GoldenEye and in the popular BBC series The Missing.
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French actor Tchéky Karyo has died of cancer at the age of 72Credit: AFPKaryo was best known for his stand out performance as Julien Baptiste in the popular TV series The MissingCredit: PA:Press Association
His passing was announced by his wife, actress Valérie Keruzoré, and their two children.
They released a heartbreaking statement saying the French film star had “succumbed to cancer this Friday, October 31”.
At the time, the beloved actor said about the reprisal of the role: “I didn’t expect it, but it’s flattering. This has made me feel young again.”
The creators of Baptise had even teased another season of the mystery thriller earlier this summer.
Earlier on his career Karyo found global success on several top projects.
He played the handler Bob in Luc Besson’s assassin film Nikita in 1990.
Other major roles included Ridley Scott’s historical epic 1492: Conquest of Paradise and the James Bond film GoldenEye.
Born in Istanbul, Turkey, Kayro started out in French cinema in the 1980s.
His first major film role came in crime thriller La Balance in 1982.
His stellar performance even earned him a nomination for the César Award for Best Male Revelation.
One of his most recent roles came in 2023 when he joined forces with the BBC once again for the comedy thriller, Boat Story.
Kayro had 140 roles across his decorated career in both film and TV.
He was also a singer songwriter with two albums being released in 2006 and 2013.
One of his most recent roles came in 2023 when he joined forces with the BBC once again for the comedy thriller, Boat StoryCredit: PAKaryo poses during a photoshoot as part of the 54th Monte-Carlo Television Festival in MonacoCredit: AFP
