Born in the town of Mirfield in 1940, Sir Patrick’s love of drama began at school where he was introduced to Shakespeare and his first public performance was in a local church production of Cinderella.
He threw himself enthusiastically into the flourishing local theatre. “I used to recite Shakespeare from memory,” he said. “I just learned all these big speeches.”
When Sir Patrick was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2010, he said he owed “literally everything” to his former English teacher who first encouraged him to perform.
His first foray into professional acting was when he joined the RSC in 1966, going on to play King John, Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Henry IV.
The RSC described him as a “colossus of both stage and screen”, remembering him as “one of the finest classical Shakespearean actors of his generation” whose contribution to the company was “beyond measure”.
Dame Harriet Walter, who met Sir Patrick in his theatre days more than 40 years ago, said his passing was like a “huge giant tree has fallen in the forest”.
“He had fire in his eyes and you were absolutely in the room with him,” the Succession actress told BBC Newsnight. “I’ve never heard a bad word against him. And I think the world’s going to be very poor without him.”
As well as having roles in films such as Safe House, Robin Hood: Men in Tights and the original Dune, Sir Patrick continued to appear on TV throughout his career.
US actor and animator Seth MacFarlane, who grew up as a fan of Sir Patrick, said he was “gifted the privilege of becoming a colleague and friend” as they worked together on Family Guy, American Dad! and Ted.
MacFarlane described him as a “rare actor who could take any bit of dialogue and elevate it, making a good writer sound great and a great writer sound masterful”.
Comedian Ricky Gervais, whose BBC programme Extras Sir Patrick guest starred in, described him as a “legend”.
Sharing a video of the pair giggling in a set of bloopers for the series, Gervais said: “I still can’t believe he agreed to do this scene. And he didn’t even mind when I ruined every take.”
Sir Patrick was a lifelong supporter of English Football League club Huddersfield Town, which called him a “titan of his craft”.
“Fiercely proud of his Yorkshire roots, Sir Patrick was a Terrier in every sense, and we’re proud to have counted him as one of our own,” the club added.
The Alzheimer’s Society CEO Michelle Dyson said Sir Patrick was an “extraordinarily talented and much-loved actor, admired by millions around the world”, adding: “His death is a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating impact dementia has on people and families across the globe.”
