John Savident Cause of Death, Obituary: What Happened to British Actor? How Did He Die?
John Savident, the British actor best known for his role as Fred Elliott in the popular soap opera Coronation Street, has passed away at the age of 86. His death was confirmed by his representative, who said: “He was a much-loved husband and father of two and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.” The cause of death has not been disclosed yet.
A Long and Diverse Career
John Savident was born on January 21, 1938 (age: 86 years when died), in Guernsey, and escaped to Britain with his family in a fishing boat during the German occupation of the island in 1940. He initially worked as a police officer before pursuing a career in acting. He made his debut on the stage in 1966 and appeared in numerous theatre productions, including the original West End cast of The Phantom of the Opera, in which he played Monsieur Firmin.
He also had a prolific career on television, appearing in shows such as The Avengers, The Saint, Callan, Doctor Who, The Professionals, Blake’s 7, Yes Minister, Gandhi, The Remains of the Day, and Middlemarch. He also had a small role in the cult film A Clockwork Orange.
However, he achieved his greatest fame and recognition when he joined the cast of Coronation Street in 1994, playing the loud-mouthed but lovable butcher Fred Elliott. His character quickly became a fan favorite, known for his catchphrase “I say, I say” and his romantic escapades. He stayed on the show for 12 years, until his character died of a stroke on the day of his wedding to Bev Unwin in 2006.
John Savident later revealed that he had retired from the show to spend more time with his family in Hertfordshire, but he also expressed his disappointment that the producers did not try harder to accommodate him. He said: “I did think they might find some way to accommodate me. Quite honestly I was surprised and disappointed that they didn’t try a bit harder.”
John Savident Death Date and Other Info
| Name | John Savident |
|---|---|
| Birth date | 21 January 1938 |
| Birth place | Guernsey |
| Death date | 21 February 2024 |
| Death place | Unknown |
| Cause of death | Unknown |
| Ethnicity | British |
| Nationality | British |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1966-2019 |
| Spouse | Rona Hopkinson (m. 1961) |
| Children | 2 |
| Notable roles | Fred Elliott in Coronation Street, Monsieur Firmin in The Phantom of the Opera, Sir Frederick Stewart in Yes Minister, Doctor Meredith in The Remains of the Day |
| Links | Wikipedia- @John_Savident Homepage- Newsunzip |
How did He Die?
Savident’s death has sparked an outpouring of tributes and condolences from his former co-stars, friends, and fans. Sue Nicholls, who played Audrey Roberts on Coronation Street, said: “I am very sad to hear of John’s passing. My memories of working with you dear John on the street are a joy, and always will be. God bless you and thank you for being in my life. Much love to you and your friends and family.”
Iain MacLeod, ITV Executive Producer for Continuing Drama, said: “Everyone at Coronation Street is deeply saddened to learn of John Savident’s death. As Fred Elliott, John firmly established himself in the pantheon of Coronation Street greats. His peerless comic timing, combined with a deep pathos arising from his outstanding dramatic skill, made Fred an unforgettable, iconic character that provided great joy to viewers for many years. On behalf of everyone here, I would like to extend condolences to John’s family and close friends at this sad time.”
Many fans also took to social media to express their sadness and appreciation for Savident’s work. One fan wrote: “RIP John Savident. You were a brilliant actor and a joy to watch on Coronation Street. Fred Elliott was one of my favorite characters ever. You will be missed.” Another fan wrote: “So sad to hear about John Savident’s death. He was such a legend on Corrie and made me laugh so much. He had such a warm and funny personality. Condolences to his family and friends.”
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | The Avengers | Dr. Grant |
| 1971 | A Clockwork Orange | Mr. Dolin |
| 1978 | The Professionals | Sir Charles Milvain |
| 1979 | Blake’s 7 | Egrorian |
| 1980 | Yes Minister | Sir Frederick Stewart |
| 1982 | Gandhi | Manager of the Mine |
| 1986 | The Phantom of the Opera | Monsieur Firmin |
| 1993 | The Remains of the Day | Doctor Meredith |
| 1994 | Middlemarch | Mr. Hawley |
| 1994-2006 | Coronation Street | Fred Elliott |
