'Bill was most-loved SA actor'
2007-07-11 22:41
Johannesburg - The acting fraternity was "utterly devastated" by the death of Bill Flynn on Wednesday, said producer Bobby Heaney.
"Bill was the most-loved actor in the whole country."
Wednesday night's performance of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at Johannesburg's Civic Theatre, in which Flynn was scheduled to act, was cancelled.
Heaney said he found 40 messages and "missed calls" from friends and colleagues when he switched on his cellphone after doing a shoot on Wednesday afternoon.
"People are utterly devastated. It's a terrible tragedy that such a fine actor and human being should die at such a young age."
Heart attack
Flynn's collaborator, actor and writer Paul Slabolepszy, could not be reached for comment.
Heaney said Slabolepszy was devastated by the news.
Flynn, 58, is believed to have had a heart attack.
A stage and screen actor, he was known for his roles in films including Heel Against the Head and Running Riot.
His highly successful career includes leading roles in more than 140 stage plays, musicals, 42 films, dozens of TV shows and thousands of radio and TV commercials, according to his web site.
He had won 13 best-actor awards, including the Dublin Critics and Golden Entertainer Awards. His film writing also won him a Best Screenplay award for his collaboration with Slabolepszy on Saturday Night at the Palace.
Got really homesick
Flynn had written on his site: "I have had offers to live and work permanently in America and England and I have worked overseas dozens of times - but somehow - I always return home.
"I am proud of being a South African artist and I don't think that's ever going to change. This is my home and I get really homesick when I'm away from it for too long."
Flynn was married to actress Jana Cilliers, his second wife.
- SAPA