Martin Wimbush R.I.P.

died 1st December 2024.

Click here for an audio-visual presentation on YouTube, in which Martin talks about his acting career and his struggle with Motor Neurone Disease.

AWL Credits

Non-AWL Credits

Tributes

A Eulogy for Martin, at his funeral on 13th December 2024

Martin was a close friend of mine for more than thirty years, and, like everyone here, I mourn the loss of this remarkable man. Remarkable, because he seemed to combine warmth, kindness, humour and calmness with a soaring creative talent. It’s these qualities I’m sure Marie first saw in him, along with a snappy dress sense and engaging smile when they became partners, and latterly husband and wife.

His quiet Quaker faith was a source of strength to him during the hard times, especially since the MND diagnosis. His uncomplaining attitude and his courage were an extraordinary inspiration to everyone.

Martin dazzled and amused us in countless TV, film and theatre productions. He was always in demand for commercials too – once I turned up at an ad casting for a butler and saw him in the waiting room looking immaculate in a blue blazer. ‘I might as well go home now,’ I said, ‘If Wimbush is here.’ The other actors murmured agreement. And yes, sure enough, Martin got the part. It was a joy to be on stage with him in my wife Robin Miller’s play Murder On Cue. She wrote the part of Charles, an honourable, decent old school actor, with Martin very much in mind. Has any actor ever been so relaxed, confident and in command of their material? Robin described perfectly his talent as an actor, which combined total respect for the craft, a vast wealth of experience and an old school quality which would have seen him at home in earlier theatrical eras, with a very modern sensibility in that he was always totally naturalistic and truthful. His one man show as the Duke of Wellington was rightly an enormous success, once even being put on at Apsley House, known as No 1, London, which was the residence of the duke. He had such self belief and inner confidence to be able to create and perform that piece.

After training at Guildhall, he was soon employed, as he put it, in many silly ass roles. Although he excelled at comedy, he also grew into many great character roles, even villains. He was an asset to any theatre company. Who can forget him bringing the house down, night after night, when, as the meek husband, he finally told his shrewish wife to ‘Put a sock in it, Nancy’ in The Shellseekers?

In real life of course Martin’s wife was the wonderfully warm and supportive Marie, whom he adored. I never heard him refer to her as anything else than my darling Marie. We enjoyed holidays with them both and Martin was very tolerant about the vast amount of luggage Marie brought for a three day break in Antwerp. Even with her own health concerns, Marie has been a rock to Martin and they were true life partners.

Another significant woman in his life was his much loved sister Sally, who he spoke so movingly of at the recent wedding. Sally helped to bring Martin up as a child and was a true mentor to him throughout his life.

At our group, Actors and Writers London, Martin was first choice for all the writers who all wanted him in their plays, precisely for those truthful and naturalistic qualities, along with his gift for comedy. His professionalism and dedication were praised by everyone. He also brought a sense of fun to the rehearsal room as he seemed to never take himself too seriously.

Most of all, I will miss those phone calls when he would always greet me with a fond chuckle and the line ‘Are you on to your second or third coffee yet, dear boy?’ After that, he would usually lament the Fulham football result.

He leaves an extraordinary legacy of love, not least here in Rye, where he devised shows for the Rye Festival and at Christmas – as he said in his recent interview with Paddy Gormley, it’s so important to always have a project. I especially loved his piece on Larkin and Betjeman. He was working right up until the end on a project – this year’s Christmas show which is going to be performed this weekend at the Community Centre in his honour. What a fitting exit for someone who was an actor to his fingertips.

I will bid adieu now to the best and dearest of men. I wish there were more like you, Martin, in this troubled world. Farewell, dear friend. I shall, like all of us here, always hold you in my heart.

Gregory Cox

He was a little devil you know, not in a bad way, just full of mischief. It was my first day at the august Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 1967. At eighteen I was a bit priggish in a way. I entered this room and instead of a room full of dignified scholars, there was a tall energetic young Martin Wimbush with a fellow student that he had inveigled into playing a game of football in the lecture room. Full of fun and devilment. Of course, our paths crossed several times in later life, but that’s how I remember him best.

Annie Dodd

Martin’s dedication to his profession and his talent as an actor have been proven many times over. You might expect his decision to settle in Rye in Sussex to have restricted opportunities for his talent, but it never seemed to prevent him from acting in some shape or form. He kept popping up in character roles in the middle of films and in television plays, and of course, advertisements. Thanks to his striking angular looks and his infectious personality he was able to impress his audiences. He was a restless worker, always with another project in the pipeline. His artistic following in the town of Rye was legendary. Even in his very last days, Martin was planning a Christmas performance, which was typical of his enthusiasm and need to entertain. As his director in a production at AWL, I can say that he was so easy to work with, full of ideas and willing to try any angle to perfect his work. Martin is a great loss to us all and we especially send our condolences to Marie his wife. We will remember him with affection.

Martin Cort

I knew Martin right from the very first time I went to the S&SW London Equity branch meetings in 1983 and he was a very dear friend always. A supportive, generous, kinder and more gentle man I don’t think I ever met.

Gary James

I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of my dear old friend Martin. I joined AWL back in 1996, and Martin was one of those wonderfully generous people who made you feel welcome right away. He had a knack for connecting people, and it was through him that I met remarkable individuals like Paul Antony-Barber, Gary James, Barbara Keogh, Michael Johnson, and many others over time. Martin had such a kind and uplifting nature, always finding the positive in everything. After appearing in a reading, he would almost always be the first person to email me the next day with a thoughtful compliment. Those messages meant so much to me and always stayed with me.

Stephanie Connell

AWL was previously held at the Riverside Studios. In 1985 Martin appeared in my very first play, Purple Haze. I believe it was his first play there. He played a prototypical yuppie called Norman and was perfect. Coincidentally in November 2022 Martin made his last appearance at AWL in another of my plays, Seminar for Murder. That night he gave me a lift to Putney where my car was parked. On the way he was full of beans, chatting about acting, plays and hilarious showbiz gossip. Sadly I never saw him again.

Harry Saks

Martin was unusual in that he managed to combine an old world sensibility with a modern persona. He was an old school actor in that he had so much experience and such a deep respect for the craft of theatre, he had a wide-ranging knowledge of acting (as his scrap books prove) and would have been at home in earlier theatrical eras. But he was also a totally modern actor in that his performances were always truthful and naturalistic. He was versatile too - he excelled at vicars and butlers and judges, but could also be a scary villain (Lady in the Van springs to mind). As an actor, writer and producer he was hard working and courageous too - putting on his one man shows about Wellington and his poetry shows required dedication, commitment and nerve. Needless to say, he carried them off with aplomb. This old school/thoroughly modern persona characterised Martin’s personal life too. He had perfect manners but was in no sense old fashioned. Neither was he a pushover - he was wise, shrewd and unflappable, an asset to every rehearsal room. Most of all, Martin was a kind, thoughtful, loving friend and someone who will be very much missed.

Robin Miller

You were, Dear Martin, a kind man and keen talent. I am grateful that Geoffrey (who will have only recently taken his place in the Reception Line to greet you in the life beyond) and I myself, were able to count you as our friend. You will remain a particularly bright and memorable piece in the patchwork of my life. Thank you.

Allison (Hancock) Drew

When Martin Wimbush greeted you, his smile was so infectious you had to smile back, there was always laughter in the conversation, he made the day joyful. On stage he was the perfect character actor, able to play the villain, the hero and the fool. Working with him was such a pleasure because of the knowledge and wisdom he brought with him into the rehearsal process and he wanted to share it with everyone in the room. He was a very special actor and man.

Maurice Thorogood

Martin was the most delightful man: warm, kind, generous, friendly and charming. I first got to know him in 2017 when we appeared together in a rehearsed reading of my play, Beyond The Pail, at AWL. He then appeared in a sketch written for a CAA show in 2019. Martin’s qualities as a man were matched by his superb skills as an actor. He was so watchable, drawing you in to his world with real style and crystal-clear diction. He bore his illness of Motor Neurone Disease so bravely and had all our admiration. Martin will be sorely missed as a fine actor and a much-loved man.

Henry Dawe

Sue and I were devastated to hear the sad news of Martin’s passing. He was such a delightfully wonderful man, a true gentleman, and such an inspiring and talented actor. We both consider ourselves so fortunate to have known and worked with Martin; he and I really bonded in particular during Carolyn’s Life Changes and the memories of the experiences we shared will stay with me always. Dear Martin, all our love to Marie.

Alexander Jonas

Rest in peace, Martin. You were a lovely, gentle man and a terrific actor and I shall remember you with a fond smile.

David Hampshire

RIP Dear Martin. Loved working with you. Such a beautiful soul. Xxx

Mimi Brooks

Martin will be sorely missed as a man whose warmth radiated from him and made everyone feel in good spirits.

Julie Bevan

He was a wonderful actor with such presence, and a gentleman très sympathique

Dermot Murphy

Martin was a lovely man and a joy to work with in ’Maestro’ just before lockdown. A kind man and a first rate actor. A great loss.

Edmund Dehn

What a special human - and so talented.

Robin Marchal

A wonderful actor and true gentleman of the old school.

Frank Mariani

Dear Martin, such a much loved old friend.

Christopher Owen

He was kind, friendly and supportive and clearly had a great comic talent, amongst his other qualities.

Jane Walker