British actor Simon MacCorkindale built a career that spanned nearly four decades, moving from stage and screen performances into production and writing. He remains best known for his role as Simon Doyle in the 1978 film Death on the Nile and for playing Dr. Harry Harper in the long-running BBC series Casualty. His death in 2010 at the age of 58 prompted renewed interest in his life and work, particularly around the illness that ended his career.
MacCorkindale was born Simon Charles Pendered MacCorkindale on 12 February 1952 in Ely, Cambridgeshire, England. He began his acting career in UK television in the early 1970s and went on to appear in popular series including I, Claudius, Jesus of Nazareth, Falcon Crest, Hart to Hart, and The Dukes of Hazzard. His film credits also included Jaws 3-D and The Jigsaw Man.
Off-screen, he was married to actress Susan George for 26 years, and the couple worked together on several projects. Despite a busy public career, MacCorkindale kept much of his personal life private, and several details about his final years remain undocumented in official sources.
What was Simon MacCorkindale’s cause of death?
Simon Charles Pendered MacCorkindale
12 February 1952 – 14 October 2010 (aged 58)
Colorectal cancer with lung metastases
Susan George (m. 1984–2010), no children
- Simon MacCorkindale died on 14 October 2010 after a long battle with bowel cancer that later spread to his lungs, according to multiple sources including CBS News and Wikipedia.
- His wife Susan George issued a statement saying he “died peacefully in my arms,” a quote widely repeated in obituaries at the time.
- The cancer was described as terminal in media reports, though no detailed public timeline of his diagnosis or treatment exists.
- MacCorkindale continued working into the late 2000s, appearing in Casualty until 2008, before his health declined.
- No autopsy or post-mortem findings have been made public, but the cause given by his publicist and family was colorectal cancer with lung involvement.
- His death was reported internationally, with the BBC News obituary confirming the facts.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Simon Charles Pendered MacCorkindale |
| Birth Date | 12 February 1952 |
| Birth Place | Ely, Cambridgeshire, England |
| Death Date | 14 October 2010 |
| Death Place | London, England |
| Cause of Death | Colorectal cancer |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Actor, film director, writer, producer |
| Years Active | 1972–2010 |
| Spouse | Susan George (married 1984–2010) |
| Children | None |
| Notable Works | Death on the Nile (1978), The Jigsaw Man (1984), Casualty (2002–2008) |
Who was Simon MacCorkindale’s wife and did he have children?
Simon MacCorkindale married actress Susan George in 1984, and the marriage lasted until his death in 2010. The couple met on the set of The Jigsaw Man, a 1984 film in which both appeared. According to IMDb and Wikipedia, they remained together for 26 years, and George was with him at the time of his death.
Available sources do not list any children for Simon MacCorkindale. Neither his Wikipedia biography nor his IMDb entry mentions offspring, and no verified media reports have stated otherwise. If he had children, that information has not been made public through authoritative channels.
Susan George, known for films such as Straw Dogs (1971) and Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry (1974), largely stepped back from acting after their marriage. She later focused on producing and animal welfare work. In her public statement following his death, she described his final moments and thanked fans for their support.
How long were Simon MacCorkindale and Susan George married?
They were married from 1984 until his death in 2010, a period of 26 years. The couple did not divorce or separate at any point during that time, according to all available biographical records.
Did Simon MacCorkindale have any siblings?
Yes, he had a younger sister, though her name and details are not widely publicized. Most biographical sources focus on his professional career rather than his extended family.
What are Simon MacCorkindale’s most notable movies and TV shows?
Simon MacCorkindale’s screen career began in the early 1970s and included a mix of British television dramas, Hollywood films, and American TV series. His most enduring role is widely considered to be Simon Doyle in Death on the Nile (1978), an adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel directed by John Guillermin.
Film highlights
Beyond Death on the Nile, MacCorkindale appeared in Jaws 3-D (1983) as Philip FitzRoyce, and in The Jigsaw Man (1984) alongside Michael Caine and Laurence Olivier. He also had roles in The Sword of the Valiant (1984) and the horror film Sleeping Car (1990). His filmography shows a preference for ensemble casts and genre pieces.
Television career
On television, he is best remembered for playing Dr. Harry Harper in Casualty from 2002 to 2008, a role that made him a familiar face to British audiences. Earlier, he starred in the short-lived but cult-favourite series Manimal (1983), in which he played a man who could transform into animals. His other TV credits include Falcon Crest, Counterstrike, The Manions of America, Hart to Hart, Fantasy Island, and The Dukes of Hazzard.
Stage and production work
MacCorkindale also worked in theatre, including a role in The Sound of Music in London’s West End. Later in his career, he founded The Falcon’s Nest Productions, moving into producing and writing. This transition showed his versatility and business sense beyond acting.
Although Manimal ran for only eight episodes, it gained a dedicated fan following over the decades. MacCorkindale’s performance as Jonathan Chase remains a nostalgic reference point for 1980s television enthusiasts.
What was Simon MacCorkindale’s net worth at the time of his death?
No official or verified figure for Simon MacCorkindale’s net worth has been published by a trusted source. Various entertainment websites have reported an estimate of around $5 million, but that number cannot be confirmed from any of the authoritative records available. His income sources included acting salaries, production company revenues, and possibly residuals from his film and television work.
The $5 million net worth figure circulates widely on celebrity net worth aggregator sites, but it does not appear in any obituary, family statement, or verified financial document. Readers should treat this number as speculative rather than confirmed.
He was a co-founder of The Falcon’s Nest Productions, which produced television projects in Canada and the UK. That enterprise, combined with his consistent acting work through the 1970s, 1980s, and 2000s, likely provided a comfortable income, but specific financial records are not part of the public record.
What is the timeline of Simon MacCorkindale’s life and career?
- 12 February 1952 – Born in Ely, Cambridgeshire, England.
- 1972 – Began acting career in UK television.
- 1978 – Major film debut as Simon Doyle in Death on the Nile.
- 1983 – Starred in the cult series Manimal on NBC.
- 1984 – Married actress Susan George; appeared together in The Jigsaw Man.
- 2002–2008 – Played Dr. Harry Harper in the BBC series Casualty.
- 14 October 2010 – Died of colorectal cancer at age 58.
What is known and what remains uncertain about Simon MacCorkindale’s life?
| Established information | Remains unclear |
|---|---|
| He died on 14 October 2010 at age 58 from colorectal cancer. | Net worth of $5 million is widely cited but not officially verified. |
| He was married to Susan George from 1984 until his death. | Funeral details (date, location, attendees) are not publicly documented. |
| He had no children according to all available sources. | No authentic “last photo” has been confirmed by family or official accounts. |
| He appeared in Death on the Nile and Casualty. | No public statement regarding legal issues or controversies exists. |
What is Simon MacCorkindale’s legacy in British television and film?
Simon MacCorkindale’s shift from acting to production demonstrated a broader ambition within the entertainment industry. By founding The Falcon’s Nest Productions, he moved beyond performing into creative control and business development, a path taken by relatively few British actors of his generation.
His death brought renewed attention to his earlier work, particularly Death on the Nile, which gained a new generation of fans through streaming and home video. The film remains one of the most popular Agatha Christie adaptations, and MacCorkindale’s performance as the troubled Simon Doyle is a key part of its appeal.
He is also remembered as a versatile talent who balanced commercial films with long-running television drama. Colleagues and critics have noted his professionalism and range, qualities that allowed him to move between genres and formats across four decades.
What do authoritative sources say about Simon MacCorkindale?
“Actor Simon MacCorkindale, who starred in TV’s Casualty, has died of cancer at the age of 58, his publicist has said.”
— BBC News
“Simon Charles Pendered MacCorkindale (12 February 1952 – 14 October 2010) was a British actor, film director, writer, and producer.”
— Wikipedia
The BBC obituary remains the most authoritative single source on his death, while Wikipedia provides the most comprehensive overview of his life and career. Both sources align on the core facts: date of birth, date of death, cause of death, marriage, and key professional milestones. Cancer Research UK provides medical background on the disease that ended his life.
What is the essential overview of Simon MacCorkindale’s life and career?
Simon MacCorkindale was a British actor who worked steadily across film, television, and theatre from 1972 until his death in 2010. He is best remembered for Death on the Nile, Casualty, and the cult series Manimal. He was married to Susan George for 26 years, had no children, and died of colorectal cancer at age 58. His net worth remains unverified, and his funeral was private. For readers interested in similar figures from British television, the story of Barry Evans – The Mystery Behind His Suspicious Death offers another look at a British actor whose life was cut short. Additionally, Man About the House: cast, spin-offs and legacy provides context on the television era in which MacCorkindale worked.
Frequently asked questions about Simon MacCorkindale
What was Simon MacCorkindale’s last photo?
No official last photo has been publicly confirmed. Many images from his final appearances exist, but no single “last photo” is recognized by his family or media.
Where was Simon MacCorkindale’s funeral held?
Funeral details were kept private, and no public records of the service are available.
How did Simon MacCorkindale and Susan George meet?
They met on the set of the 1984 film The Jigsaw Man and married later that same year.
Did Simon MacCorkindale have any siblings?
Yes, he had a younger sister, but details about her are not widely publicized.
What was Simon MacCorkindale’s first acting role?
His career began in UK television in 1972, though the exact first role is not consistently cited across sources.
Did Simon MacCorkindale direct any films?
Yes, he directed and produced television projects through his company The Falcon’s Nest Productions, though his directorial credits are limited.
Was Simon MacCorkindale in any stage productions?
He performed in London’s West End, including a role in The Sound of Music.
How long did Simon MacCorkindale appear on Casualty?
He played Dr. Harry Harper for six years, from 2002 to 2008.
What cancer did Simon MacCorkindale have?
He had colorectal cancer that later spread to his lungs.
Is Simon MacCorkindale buried or cremated?
No public information about his burial or cremation arrangements is available.
Daniel Mercer is Playlists & Discovery Editor at PlaylisterUK.co.uk, covering playlist culture, music discovery, emerging artists, streaming trends and genre guides.