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3 articles from 2005

1 July 2005 | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

Stars including Richard Attenborough, Dame Judi Dench and Sir Michael Caine joined Sir John Mills' family to pay tribute to the accomplished actor at a memorial service held in London yesterday. The Ryan's Daughter star died at his Buckinghamshire, England home in April following a short illness. He was 97. And his family and friends were keen to express the deep impact Mills had on their lives at the St. Martin-in-the-Fields church service. Dench gushed, "The most talented, the most adorable, the most charming and the naughtiest man I have ever met." Mills' daughter Juliet added, "If I had to chose three words to describe him, I think they would be loving, brave and funny. He was the funniest man I have ever known." Music at the service was provided by Mills' grandson Crispian, who was once the lead singer of British rock band Kula Shaker, and Andrew Lloyd Webber - who joined singer Andrea Ross to perform a song from his hit musical Whistle Down The Wind. Lord Attenborough said of his friend of 63 years, "I thought he was a hero then and to me he remained so throughout his life. I shall miss his guidance, I shall miss his caring and his unfailing sense of honor, but most of all I shall miss his loyalty and devotion in our lasting friendship."

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25 April 2005 | From Studio Briefing | See recent Studio Briefing news

John Mills, who made his feature-film debut 73 years ago and received a best-supporting actor Oscar for David Lean's 1970 film Ryan's Daughter, died Saturday at his home near London at the age of 97. He generally appeared as the English Everyman, modest, emotionally repressed, and deferential. He was directed by Lean in four other films, In Which We Serve in 1942, Noel Coward's This Happy Breed in 1944, Great Expectations in 1946 and Hobson's Choice in 1954. In the 1960s, he appeared in several films that starred his daughters, Hayley Mills and Juliet Mills. He had been active as an actor to the end.

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25 April 2005 | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

Legendary actor Sir John Mills has died following a battle with a chest infection. He was 97. The British star of over 100 films passed away at his Buckinghamshire, England, home on Sunday after falling ill several weeks ago. His demise has prompted some of the UK's biggest names to speak out in tribute to the actor, who won an Oscar in 1971 for his role in Ryan's Daughter. Devastated director Lord Richard Attenborough says, "He was unequalled as a world (and) British movie star." UK Prime Minister Tony Blair describes Mills as "a great actor, a true gentleman and a loyal friend; someone who made us proud to be British", while Queen Elizabeth II was "sorry" to hear of his death. A funeral service for the screen star has been arranged for family and friends at St Mary's Church in his home town of Denham on Wednesday. Mills is survived by his wife Mary Hayley-bell - now Lady Mills - son Jonathan and actress daughters Juliet Mills and Hayley Mills. In recent years, wheelchair-bound Lady Mills has been suffering with Alzheimer's Disease, but her famous husband never doubted they'd be reunited in full health in the afterlife. He said, "The body dies but the spirit goes on. Of that I'm certain. One day Mary and I will leave this world, but we'll be reunited in the next." Despite his own failing health, Mills refused to retire - because he couldn't bear to never experience the buzz of acting again. He said, "When I get out there, coming across the footlights, it's something that I can hardly explain... such warmth greets me and I feel terrific, it's just wonderful." Mills is best known for his roles in films including Great Expectations in 1946 and 1956's War And Peace.

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3 articles from 2005