Ben enjoyed a stellar career in acting and theatre
Irish actor Ben Keaton on Father Ted(Image: Channel 4)
Irish actor Ben Keaton has died at the age of 69. The Olivier Award-winning actor, writer, and director began his career on the comedy circuit in the 1980s before moving into leading roles in theatre. He went from national and international touring to the West End stage.
Throughout his stellar career, Ben went from from a regular on Casualty to the much-loved Father Austin Purcell on Father Ted. He was also a talented writer, he created Brainiac Live, the arena-staged adaptation of SKY’s hit science show, which won the Olivier Award for Best Family Show.
The TV star also picked up an Olivier Nomination and a Perrier Award for the solo show Intimate Memoirs of a Taxidermist. In one of his latest updates on his website, the late actor said: “These days, I focus primarily on writing, directing, and education—but I’m driven by adventure and thrive on variety. That’s where the joy is.”
In his death notice in The Irish Times, a tribute read: “Ben will be forever greatly missed, loved and fondly remembered by his ex-wife Polly, son Waldo and daughter Daisy, brothers Des and Thom, sister Jeanette.
“Best known for his roles in TV shows including Father Ted, Emmerdale, Casualty, The Bill, films including East is East etc. and Theatre performances in Animal Crackers, Harvey, Cyrano de Bergerac, Hay Fever, etc, a founder member of the improv group South Of The River, and a director of the Creative Academy, and more. Funeral arrangements to be announced later.”
Father Ted stars Patrick McDonnell, Paddy Ward and Ben Keaton (Image: Comic Con)
Nottingham Playhouse shared a tribute to the actor on March 20 to Facebook, it said: “We are so sorry to hear of the death of Ben Keaton, a wonderful actor who is fondly remembered in our 2008 production of Vertigo. Sending our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.”
His ex-wife Polly, shared to Facebook: “So incredibly sorry to say Ben Keaton died last night. It was very sudden and we are all in shock.
“We had separated several years ago but we had half a lifetime together and infuriated and made each other cry with laughter in equal measure. He was a great dad to Waldo and Daisy and the finest Groucho and Cyrano I have ever seen.”
Tributes have been left for Ben following his “sudden” death. Father Ted fan page ‘Father Ted Speak” wrote on X: “Saddened to hear of the passing of actor Ben Keaton.
“We knew him as Father Austin Purcell (one of my favourite one-off characters). He was a regular at Comic Con events, so I imagine many got to meet him over the years. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and many fans.”
Another tribute said: “RIP Ben Keaton. A great actor and comedian – there can be little praise higher (if at all) in that he stole the scene every time he appeared in Father Ted. Off to the great parochial house in the sky.”