Seamus Forde, a radio actor known to generations of listeners for his bass-baritone voice, has died in hospital in Dublin at the age of 77. He was a founder member of the Radio Eireann Players. His most outstanding radio performance was as Archie Rice in John Osborne's The Entertainer. He was also in Piano in the River, which won a Prix Italia. One of his final performances with the Players was as King Lear.
Mr Forde was also a stage player and starred in Winterset with Paulette Goddard at the Gaiety, directed by Burgess Meredith. He resumed his work in the theatre following his retirement from RTE. He appeared on television in Silence to Silence, Sean O Mordha's award-winning profile of Samuel Beckett. His film credits include Quackser Fortune with Gene Wilder, and Cal, directed by Pat O'Connor.
His work at the Gate including touring with Joe Dowling's production of Juno and the Paycock. His final appearance was in Beckett's End Game. He is survived by his son Martin, daughter-in-law Deirdre and grandsons Seamus and Ruairi.