British actor Ian Gelder, known internationally for playing the character of Kevan Lannister in the acclaimed fantasy series Game of Thrones, died last Monday, May 6, at the age of 74.
The actor was diagnosed with bile duct cancer in December, as reported by his partner, Ben Daniels, on Instagram. Although he tried to fight the disease, it caused his death just five months after receiving the diagnosis.
The actor and partner of Gelder, Ben Daniels, has announced the news of his husband’s death through a tender and profound publication on Instagram that has made his followers’ hair stand on end.
The two had been together for more than 30 years, which is why Daniels has admitted feeling lost and disoriented after having to say goodbye to him. In the text, the widower expressed that Gelder was ”his rock” and that they were always there for each other: ”If we weren’t together, we talked every day,” he said emotionally.”
The 59-year-old man has also revealed that he put his work life on hold to focus on caring for Gelder, who began to suffer the consequences of cancer some time ago.
”He was the kindest human being, generous in spirit and loving. He was a wonderful actor and everyone who worked with him was moved by his heart and his light,’ he explained in the publication.
To say goodbye to his partner, Daniels has chosen a photograph that they took last Christmas after his partner left the hospital. In this snapshot you can see the lovers very smiling.
As expected, social networks and microblogging platforms have been filled with hundreds of messages from fans sending encouragement to the family and expressing emotion and sadness over the actor’s unexpected departure.
In addition to his prominent character in the HBO series, Gelder was known for his roles in the fictions His Dark Materials and Doctor Who. Gelder was also famous for other smaller roles on the small screen and for his great experience in the theater, an area in which he stood out by successfully carrying out different works by the acclaimed British author Shakespeare.
The deceased’s partner has pointed out in the Instagram post that her husband always remained positive about the medical process, as well as stressed that she is going to miss him a lot: ”I honestly don’t know what I will do without him by my side” .