Billie Whitelaw: friends, family and fellow actors pay tribute

http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/dec/22/billie-whitelaw-tributes

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Tributes have been paid to the celebrated actor Billie Whitelaw, who died on Sunday, aged 82.

They were led by her son Matthew Muller, who said she was “an incredibly loving mother”. He said many would remember her for her artistic prowess, who had enjoyed an incredible career, but he would remember her primarily as a warm person.

“I am going to miss her deeply. When I was five years old, she nursed me through meningitis and, in the last few years of her life, I was there for her as well. It is difficult to know what to say when your mum dies; I just want the theatrical world to know happened,” he said.

Muller said he was very close to his mother, who he said he visited regularly. “She knew I was there. I didn’t need a lot of conversation with her, as long as she knew that I was with her, that was fine.”

Whitelaw died after a year-long illness. She spent her final four years in Denville Hall, the north London home for retired actors.

Charlotte Schram, the manager of the Denville Hall, spoke of her sadness at the news of her death. “She was an amazing lady and an amazing actress and we will miss her smile,” she said.

Edgar Wright, who directed Whitelaw in the 2007 comedy film Hot Fuzz, tweeted: “Very sad to hear that the magnificent Billie Whitelaw passed away, but so very happy I worked with her. ‘Hot Fuzz’ was her final film.”

The actor and musician Gary Kemp, who played Ronnie Kray, son to her Violet in the 1990 biographical film The Krays, wrote on Twitter: “I’ll always remember her as a generous and towering actor, and ‘Mum’.”

His brother Martin, who played Reggie Kray in the film, wrote: “Desperately sad to hear the news. My dear Billie Whitelaw, an honour to get to know you on The Krays.”

Photographer Andy Gotts, who is known for his stark images of film stars including Whitelaw, wrote: “So saddened of the passing of the wonderful Billie Whitelaw. The muse of Samuel Beckett for 20 years. RIP Mrs Baylock.”

Comedian Robin Ince wrote: “Sad to see Billie Whitelaw has died, I’d suggest a minute’s silence, but I imagine Beckett would suggest it should be much longer than that.”