Grant Tilly Glides Away

Well-known kiwi actor Grant Tilly passed away in Wellington yesterday after a long illness, aged 74.
Tilly starred in a variety of local stage and screen productions throughout his life, but was probably best known for his role in the tv series Gliding On (1984-86). He was also a founding member of Wellington's Circa Theatre in 1976, and made a great contribution to the theatre scene in New Zealand.
Grant started his career as a drama teacher and established the NZ Drama School, and continued to be associated with it until 1988. On stage he appeared in a run of New Zealand plays, including Foreskin's Lament, The Daylight Atheist, and Joyful and Triumphant. His acclaimed screen acting roles included missionary Henry Williams in the big-budget 1970's local production The Governor, and a German officer opposite Hollywood star Tommy Lee-Jones in the movie Savage Islands.
The Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Chris Finlayson, said Grant had been unwell for some time and his passing was very sad: "Grant was a wonderful actor who entertained generations of Wellingtonians."