Advertisement

Game of Thrones and Porridge star Peter Vaughan dies at 93

Peter Vaughan with Ronnie Barker in Porridge (Rex Features)

Game of Thrones actor Peter Vaughan has died at the age of 93.

The star, born Peter Ohm in 1924, was best known for his role as Maester Aemon in Sky Atlantic's hit TV series.

Vaughan rose to fame as Harry 'Grouty' Grout in the 1970s sitcom Porridge.

He also starred in cult films including Terry Gilliam's Brazil, classic thriller Straw Dogs and The Remains of the Day.

In the 1960s, he starred alongside Frank Sinatra in the spy thriller The Naked Runner.

"The great thing about Frank was that you had to stand up to him very quickly," Vaughan once said.

"If you did that, he respected you, otherwise he'd walk all over you."

In the 1970s, Vaughan starred in John Sullivan's Citizen Smith and later in the BBC drama Our Friends in the North, playing Felix Hutchinson - a character who suffered from Alzheimer's.

But it was Game of Thrones that made him famous to millions around the world.

The actor was partially sighted and portrayed the blind Maester Aemon for five years.

Vaughan was married to actress Billie Whitelaw for 12 years, later wedding actress Lillias Walker, who he met in his repertory days.

"This is to confirm that very sadly Peter Vaughan passed away at approximately 10.30 this morning," a statement from his agent said.

"He died peacefully with his family around him."