Maurice Roëves: Scottish actor who starred in The Nest and River City dies aged 83

Tributes have poured in for “loved” Scottish actor Maurice Roëves, who has died, aged 83.
Scottish actor Maurice Roëves was 83.Scottish actor Maurice Roëves was 83.
Scottish actor Maurice Roëves was 83.

Roëves, who was born in Sunderland but brought up in Scotland, was known for his starring role as Vincent Diver in Tutti Frutti and playing Captain Munro in the 1992 film The Last of the Mohicans, as well as more recent parts in BBC Scotland’s River City and hit Glasgow drama The Nest.

His last role was in BBC drama The Nest, which aired earlier this year and was filmed in Glasgow and Helensborough.

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His agent, Lovett Logan, said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we can confirm the passing of our wonderful client, Maurice Roëves. Maurice had a hugely successful career in both theatre and screen, which spanned several decades, starting in his home country of Scotland and moving to London and the United States.

“He was loved by his legions of fans for many of his performances. As well as being a truly dedicated and gifted actor, he was also a real gentleman and a delight to have as a client. We will miss him greatly and our thoughts and love go out to Vanessa and his family.”

The actor was married to arts consultant Vanessa Rawlings-Jackson, who was previously general manager at Perth Theatre and has one daughter, Sarah, from his first marriage to Scottish actress Jan Wilson.

Roëves is one of only 24 actors to have speaking roles in both the “Star Trek” and “Doctor Who” franchises. He played “Stotz” in the 1984 Doctor Who serial Doctor Who: The Caves of Androzani: Part One and a “Romulan captain” in Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Chase.

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Author John Johnston wrote on Twitter: “Sad to learn of the death of the majestic Maurice Roeves (1937-2020). A versatile actor, he was often cast as the ‘Glesga hardman,’ though his roots were in Glasgow’s theatrical traditions and he possessed a considerable gift for comedy.”

Twitter user David McNay wrote: “Sad to see Maurice Roëves has died. Always glad to see him appear in a TV show or film, never saw him give a bad performance.”

Educated in Glasgow, Roëves reportedly considered becoming a teacher, but after national service in the Royal Scots Greys Armoured Corps, he was persuaded to follow his father working in flour mills and by the age of 24 had become a sales manager.

In his spare time, he worked with amateur drama groups which led to a career on the stage. After training at Glasgow College of Dramatic Art, he became assistant stage manager at Glasgow’s Citizen Theatre and within three months was playing lead roles including Lorenzo in The Merchant of Venice and the Gentleman Caller in The Glass Menagerie.

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