Simon Fisher-Becker, 'Doctor Who' and 'Harry Potter' Actor, Dies – Details

The British actor, known for portraying Dorium Maldovar in "Doctor Who" and the Fat Friar in "Harry Potter," has died, his husband announced on social media.

The entertainment world has lost another talent, as Simon Fisher-Becker has passed away at 63. His husband of 34 years, Anthony "Tony" Dugdale, shared the heartbreaking news on Facebook.

"Hello everyone. This is Tony, Simon's husband .I have some very sad news. At 2:50 this afternoon Simon passed away. I'll be keeping this account open for a while. I'm not sure at this point if I'll be posting again. Thank you [sic]," Dugdale's post read.

Kim Barry, Fisher-Becker's agent at Jaffrey Management, also confirmed his passing to CNN. She described him not only as a longtime client but as a cherished friend of 15 years. "He helped me out enormously and was always kind, gracious and interested in everyone," she said.

Following the announcement, fans flooded social media with tributes. One person wrote, "This is horrible. What a man. I'm so sorry for your loss Tony. Can't believe this. Rest in Peace Simon." Another added, "Oh this is incredibly sad news, I am so sorry for your loss 😞."

Others reflected on Fisher-Becker’s character. "Oh I AM sorry Simon was amazing and a kind man I will miss him so much 😭[sic]," a third remarked. Someone else mourned, "No no 😥😢 I'm so very sorry 😢 my love and prayers to you x 🫶 he will be greatly missed and was hugely loved Miss you forever blue x [sic]."

Born on November 25, 1961, in London, Fisher-Becker built a versatile career as a character actor, excelling in both comedy and drama. He worked across theater, television, film, radio, and web series.

Audiences recognized him not just for "Doctor Who" and "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," but also for his performances in "Puppy Love," "Les Misérables," "Disaster Dates 2," "P.R.O.B.E.: Case Files," and "Doctors."

He also took on numerous stage roles in productions such as "Macbeth," "An Inspector Calls,” "Cinderella," "Sinbad's Excellent Adventure," "Emperor of the Moon," "Dick Whittington," "The Busybody," "Exclusive," and "Oliver!"

In a 2018 BTG Interview, Fisher-Becker discussed one of his most significant roles—a one-man play written specifically for him, "Hamlet's Tragedy of a Fat Man."

He described the experience as both daunting and thrilling, admitting that it was unlike anything he had done before. Despite his initial fear, he managed to complete the performance, joking that he survived the challenge.

Looking ahead, he remained optimistic about his career, stating that he always looked forward to his next job. In the same interview, he reflected on his time on "Doctor Who", which had a profound impact on him.

He fondly recalled working with co-star Matt Smith, describing him as both generous and kind. While he often named Patrick Troughton his favorite doctor due to his memories of William Hartnell’s regeneration, he considered Smith his "special doctor" because of their time working together.

He also shared insights about Smith's personality, "He'd probably be upset if I tell everybody this, but I think deep down he's actually quite a shy person. But once he gets to know you, he can be very cheeky. He talk [sic] a lot about football, but as an actor, he was very generous and helped me a lot."

Fisher-Becker credited his role as Dorium Maldovar in "Doctor Who" as a turning point in his career. "If I knew what I do now I'd have painted my face purple 20 years ago," he once joked in a 2014 interview.

As a lifelong fan of the show, he never imagined he would one day be part of it. After suffering a spinal injury in a 2009 attack, he had to step away from pantomimes but became available for casting in the iconic series.

The opportunity led him to play Maldovar, a black marketeer who quickly became a fan favorite. "I was a jobbing actor for many years, but Maldovar changed everything," he recalled. "People were suddenly asking about my availability instead of me asking them about auditions and that was nice."

The role introduced him to a worldwide audience and opened doors to international science fiction conventions. "I've travelled the world with Maldovar," he said, mentioning visits to the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand.

He also formed lasting friendships with fellow "Doctor Who" actors, including Katy Manning (Jo Grant) and John Levene (Sergeant Benton). Hoping to return to the show, he once expressed interest in going head-to-head with Peter Capaldi's version of the Doctor.

Though Fisher-Becker played a minor role in "Harry Potter," he appreciated the opportunity to be part of the franchise. He felt grateful for the experience but also expressed some disappointment, as editors cut much of the ghost footage he filmed.

He jokingly pointed out that the movie's end credits ran longer than his brief on-screen appearance, acknowledging it as a common reality in the film industry.

Despite his limited screen time, the production treated him like a full-fledged cast member, providing a private driver and keeping filming locations top secret. "National newspapers were phoning me up me for interviews and I even had a feature in Vanity Fair," he shared.

Looking back on his career, Fisher-Becker encouraged aspiring actors to stay resilient. "Build a thick skin early and try not to be intimidated," he advised. "All actors are just that — actors. Famous people are no different from non-famous people — particularly actors."

Fisher-Becker is the latest Harry Potter actor to pass away. Other notable stars who died include Alan Rickman in 2016, Robbie Coltrane in 2022, and Michael Gambon in 2023. They portrayed Professor Severus Snape, Rubeus Hagrid, and Albus Dumbledore, respectively.

Dame Maggie Smith, who played Professor McGonagall, also passed away in 2024.