Departures of note

Michael Pennington was born on 7 June 1943 in Cambridge, England, and studied English at Trinity College, Cambridge, before joining the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1964. He spent his early career developing a reputation as a versatile classical actor, performing in productions such as Hamlet and Measure for Measure.\n\nIn the 1980s he co‑founded the English Shakespeare Company with Michael Bogdanov, serving as joint artistic director and starring in acclaimed productions of Shakespeare’s histories and tragedies, including a celebrated turn as Hamlet in 1980‑81. His stage work earned multiple Olivier Award nominations and established him as a leading interpreter of the Bard.\n\nPennington also enjoyed a substantial screen career. He appeared as Laertes in Tony Richardson’s 1969 film Hamlet, portrayed Moff Jerjerrod in the 1983 blockbuster Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, and played former Labour leader Michael Foot in the 2011 biopic The Iron Lady. Television credits included title roles in Oedipus Rex (1986) and The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1987).\n\nBeyond acting, he authored ten books, directed productions worldwide, and remained an honorary associate of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Michael Pennington died on 10 May 2026 at the age of 82, leaving a legacy of distinguished theatre work and memorable film performances.