Marcus Gilbert, the British actor whose career spanned cult classics, television dramas, and blockbuster films, has died at the age of 69 after a three-year battle with throat cancer. The news of his passing on Sunday, January 11, 2026, was confirmed by a devoted fan site via Facebook and was subsequently reported by The Sun, prompting an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and admirers worldwide.
Gilbert’s legacy is perhaps best defined by his portrayal of Rupert Campbell Black in the 1993 television adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s novel Riders. The role cemented his status as a heartthrob of the era and introduced him to a generation of viewers who cherished Cooper’s vivid storytelling. As fate would have it, Cooper’s literary universe has recently enjoyed a resurgence, with Rivals—another of her beloved novels—adapted for Disney+ and starring David Tennant, Emily Atack, and Danny Dyer, as reported by The Sun and Daily Star.
Yet Gilbert’s talents were never restricted to a single genre or medium. On the silver screen, he appeared alongside Sylvester Stallone in the 1988 action spectacle Rambo 3, demonstrating his ability to hold his own with Hollywood’s elite. Television audiences knew him from guest appearances in long-running series such as Doctor Who and Murder, She Wrote. In the 1987 television film A Hazard of Hearts, he shared the screen with a young Helena Bonham Carter, offering an early glimpse of her burgeoning talent. According to The Sun, this collaboration was one of Bonham Carter’s first major roles, and it remains a cherished memory for fans of the period drama genre.
The announcement of Gilbert’s passing was met with heartfelt tributes from across the entertainment industry. A statement from his fan site captured the mood of many: “Today we have heard the very sad news that Marcus lost his battle against cancer on Sunday, January 11, 2026… We, along with his many fans worldwide, will mourn his loss, and remember the joy he gave us on screen, and in person. RIP Marcus.” (The Sun, Daily Star).
Among the many voices celebrating Gilbert’s life and career was actor Toby Hadoke, who took to social media to reminisce: “Dashing, charming, and a strong actor with a bit of a twinkle… Very sorry to learn of the death, too young, of Marcus Gilbert, with whom I had a lovely time in Liverpool about a decade ago… He was also great in Doctor Who’s Battlefield and had a terrific role in Evil Dead 3: Army of Darkness… He also told me how much he earned from being part of the second Gold Blend saga of commercials: eye-watering! Lovely chap: wore his attributes lightly. :(” (The Sun, Daily Star).
Russell T Davies, the celebrated showrunner of Doctor Who, responded simply yet poignantly to Hadoke’s tribute: “Oh that’s sad news” (The Sun, Daily Star), a sentiment echoed by countless fans and colleagues alike.
Social media quickly filled with personal memories and stories about Gilbert’s kindness and humility. One fan wrote, “Gone home, in the arms of the angels and Homaa… Oh my goodness. RIP Marcus… So so sad.. Such sad news..” Another recalled, “Very sad news. Had a drink with him at Gally some years ago. He was kind & self-effacing when someone at the table mistook him for someone else. Could’ve made her feel a fool, but navigated the conversation with charm.” Yet another tribute highlighted his on-screen chemistry: “His chemistry with Angela Bruce would have made them fun recurring characters. RIP Marcus.” And a former colleague shared, “Oh, no! Awful news. I worked with him not very long ago, and he seemed a kind and gentle man. So sorry to hear this, it’s far too young.”
Gilbert’s career was as varied as it was enduring. In Doctor Who, he played Ancelyn in the story “Battlefield,” earning praise from fans and critics for his performance. He also appeared in Evil Dead 3: Army of Darkness, further cementing his status as a cult favorite. According to The Sun, his work in the second Gold Blend saga of commercials was both lucrative and fondly remembered, with Hadoke describing the earnings as “eye-watering.”
Behind the scenes, Gilbert faced private battles with unwavering courage. He is survived by his children, Maxi and Aalyia, whom he shared with his late wife, Homaa Khan-Gilbert. The couple’s marriage lasted 28 years until Homaa’s own passing from cancer in 2020. In a poignant detail reported by The Sun and Daily Star, Gilbert’s daughter Aalyia revealed in 2020 that her father had also been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a struggle he bore with characteristic dignity.
In his later years, Gilbert found companionship with actress Lysette Anthony, known for her roles in Hollyoaks and Two Up, Two Down. Their relationship was a testament to Gilbert’s enduring warmth and capacity for connection, even in the face of personal loss and illness.
The breadth of Gilbert’s work, from action epics to period dramas, left an indelible mark on audiences and collaborators alike. His ability to inhabit a wide range of characters—always with a twinkle in his eye and a genuine sense of humility—earned him the respect of peers and the devotion of fans across generations.
As the entertainment community comes to terms with his passing, the tributes continue to pour in. Each story and memory shared is a reminder of the joy Marcus Gilbert brought to those around him, both on and off the screen. Whether as a dashing lead, a memorable supporting player, or simply as a kind soul encountered at a convention or on set, his presence was unmistakable.
Marcus Gilbert’s life was not without its challenges, but the grace with which he faced them only deepened the admiration of those who knew him. His legacy will live on through the films and television shows he helped bring to life, the colleagues he inspired, and the family he cherished. For many, the world feels a little dimmer without his light—yet his performances, his kindness, and his memory will continue to shine.
