Michael Palin has lead tributes to BAFTA-award winning actor Lee Montague following his death.
The actor passed away at the age of 97, which was confirmed by Keats Community Library based in north London.
Montague - who’s real name was Leonard Goldberg - trained at the Old Vic theatre school, and starred in shows such as Bergerac, in which he played Henri Dupont.
TV shows he starred in included big names like Bird of Prey, Jekyll and Hyde, Espionage, Waking the Dead and Casualty.
And he also became the first storyteller on the BBC Kids programme Jackanory, something he won a BAFTA for in 1961.
In film, he had roles in films such as The Legacy, The Secret of Blood Island and Brother Sun.
Since his passing, fellow actors have shared their memories of Montague, with Michael Palin leading the tributes.
He told Ham&High: “Very sad to hear that I shall not see Lee again. He was such good company, wise, experienced, empathetic, funny. It was always a pleasure to share a stage with him.”
Robert Lindsay, who starred with Montague in TV series Seconds Out, also shared a tribute to the actor.
“I'm devastated as I regarded Lee as my theatrical Dad and I have kept in touch with him over many years,” he said.
“I absolutely loved how he was always up for a chat, down at the shops, and how terribly interesting he was, and fun. He was such a lovely lovely man,” author Deborah Moggach added.
Montague had two children, and was married to fellow actor Ruth Goring until her passing in 2023.
Beyond acting, he was a well-known community figure in north London.
He served as President for Life at the Keats Community Library, based in Belsize Park, where he served as President for Life, after battling to save the library.
“Moving into film he worked with great directors (such as Zeffirelli) appearing in some 30 films including Moulin Rouge in 1952, Bill Budd, Brother Sun, Sister Moon, and Jesus of Nazareth with Robert Powell,” they said.
“But to us, he was the saviour of the library. He saved it once before from closure by Camden, but in 2011 they closed it before announcing it, so it was Lee who formed a committee of neighbours to set up the Keats Community Library charity it is today.
“He continued to be vital to our success as he wrote many literary and biographical evenings which he performed with his fellow actors, Michael Palin, Robert Powell, Simon Callow and Janet Suzman. These were played to a full house, as is befitting!
“He will be greatly missed.”
