Joss Ackland’s wife was called Rosemary Kirkcaldy. The duo married in 1951 after their paths crossed in Scotland while Joss was performing in a play.
Who was Joss Ackland?
Joss Ackland was an English actor who appeared in more than 130 film, radio, and television roles. He was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for portraying Jock Delves Broughton in White Mischief (1987).
Joss Ackland bio
Joss’ full name is Sidney Edmond Jocelyn Ackland. He was born in North Kensington, London, on February 29, 1928. His father, Major Sydney Norman Ackland, was an Irish journalist who had been sent to England to live with an aunt due to his scandalous affair with their maid.
However, he ended up seducing his aunt’s maid, Ruth Izod, whom he eventually married. Ackland received his training at the Central School of Speech and Drama, under the guidance of Elsie Fogerty. During that time, the school was located at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
At the age of 23, Ackland married Rosemary Kirkcaldy on August 18, 1951. Kirkcaldy was also an actress, and their romance blossomed while they were performing together on stage in Pitlochry, Scotland. The early years of their marriage were challenging, as Ackland’s acting career was still in its early stages.
In 1954, the couple decided to move to Lilongwe, which was then known as Nysaland and is now called Malawi. Ackland took on the role of managing a tea plantation for six months, but due to safety concerns, they eventually relocated to Cape Town, South Africa. Although they both found steady-acting jobs in South Africa, they returned to England in 1957 after two years.
Joss Ackland career
At the young age of 17, he made his professional debut on stage after attending London’s Central School of Speech and Drama. He starred in the 1945 production of The Hasty Heart and later joined the Old Vic, where he acted alongside renowned actors such as Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, and Tom Courtenay. Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Ackland worked consistently in television and film. In the 1980s, his career progressed with significant roles in movies like The Sicilian, Lethal Weapon 2, The Hunt for Red October, and White Mischief. He also appeared in various television shows, including The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Hogfather. Ackland even played C.S. Lewis in the television adaptation of Shadowlands before it became a stage play and a theatrical film. Additionally, his voice was heard reading quotations in several episodes of Jacob Bronowski’s documentary series The Ascent of Man. Ackland’s stage performances included creating the role of Juan Perón in Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Evita, as well as starring in the London production of Stephen Sondheim’s and Hugh Wheeler’s A Little Night Music with Jean Simmons and Hermione Gingold.
Joss Ackland cause of death: How did he die?
The family of the British actor announced that he passed away at the age of 95, as reported by the BBC. The actor, who had an extensive career in both stage and screen, was surrounded by his loved ones and passed away peacefully. He was a cherished father and had been married to his wife Rosemary for over five decades until her passing in 2002.
Joss Ackland obituary
The family statement said: “With his distinctive voice and commanding presence, Ackland brought a unique intensity and gravitas to his role.
“He will be remembered as one of Britain’s most talented and beloved actors.”
Who is Joss Ackland wife, Rosemary Kirkcaldy?
Rosemary Kirkcaldy became the wife of Joss Ackland, the renowned actor. Their union took place in 1951 when they fortuitously met in Scotland during one of Joss’s theatrical performances.
In 1963, their residence in Barnes, located in the south-west of London, was engulfed in flames. In a moment of extraordinary courage, Rosemary managed to rescue their five children, despite being five months pregnant with their sixth child.
Unfortunately, she suffered a severe injury to her back when she jumped from the bedroom window. Doctors informed her that she would miscarry and never regain the ability to walk. Remarkably, she defied the odds, giving birth and eventually regaining her mobility after a challenging 18-month period.
Tragically, the couple’s eldest son, Paul, passed away at the age of 29 in 1982 due to a heroin overdose. Despite this devastating loss, they went on to welcome two more grandchildren and an additional 20 great-grandchildren before Joss’s eventual demise.
In 2000, Rosemary received the diagnosis of motor neurone disease. She granted Joss permission to publish her diaries, which she had begun writing at the tender age of 15 in 1945.
Following Rosemary’s passing at the age of 73 in 2002, Joss released her memoirs under the title “My Better Better Half and Me” in 2010.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qLTBmqqeZpOkunC2zqyqZpmToLmiusNmrqKelWLEqbuMoqpmqp%2Bosq6t0bJkpKGioLCiuMOyZg%3D%3D