Damian Lewis writes touching tribute to Helen McCrory
Damian Lewis has written a touching tribute to his late wife, Helen McCrory.
The Peaky Blinders actress recently passed away following a battle with cancer.
In an article for The Sunday Times, Damian said Helen, 'has been utterly heroic in her illness.'
'She's shone more brightly in the last months than you would imagine even the brightest star could shine.'
He wrote that she lived, 'by the principle of kindness and generosity.'
He continued, 'I've never known anyone so consciously spread happiness.'
'To say 'please' and 'thank you' and 'you're so kind' as much as she did.'
'Even when dying in her last few days, when talking to our wonderful carers, she repeatedly said, 'thank you so much' in her half delirious state.'
Damian gushed over her unique ability to make everyone she met feel, 'special, as though they were the only person in the room.'
He said she, 'Gave them her full attention,' and, 'Made them laugh, always.'
'There were few funnier people — she was funny as hell,' he wrote.
He went on to say how incredibly brave she was in her final few months.
'Her greatest and most exquisite act of bravery and generosity has been to 'normalise' her death.'
'She's shown no fear, no bitterness, no self-pity, only armed us with the courage to go on and insisted that no one be sad, because she is happy.'
'I'm staggered by her,' he continued, 'She's been a meteor in our life.'
Damian and Helen have two children together: 14-year-old Manon and 13-year-old Gulliver.
In his letter, he wrote, 'She’s left our beautiful children, Manon and Gully, too early, but they have been prepared for life.'
'They have in them the fearlessness, wit, curiosity, talent and beauty of their mother.'
'She has exhorted us to be courageous and not afraid.'
'As she said repeatedly to the children, 'Don’t be sad, because even though I’m about to snuff it, I’ve lived the life I wanted to.''
Damian continued, 'She has been utterly heroic in her illness... Her generosity has extended to encouraging us three to live.'
'Live fully, take opportunities, have adventures.'
'Only a couple of weeks ago she said to us from her bed, 'I want Daddy to have girlfriends, lots of them, you must all love again, love isn’t possessive, but you know, Damian, try at least to get through the funeral without snogging someone.''
Celebs pay tribute
Helen's co-stars and fans have been paying tribute to her.
Her Peaky Blinders colleague Cillian Murphy released the following statement, as quoted by EW:
'I am broken-hearted to lose such a dear friend. Helen was a beautiful, caring, funny, compassionate human being.'
The Irish actor went on, 'She was also a gifted actor – fearless and magnificent.'
'She elevated and made humane every scene, every character she played.'
'It was a privilege to have worked with this brilliant woman, to have shared so many laughs over the years.'
'I will dearly miss my pal. My love and thoughts are with Damian and her family,' Cillian concluded.
Helen also played Draco Malfoy's mother Narcissa in the Harry Potter films.
Her onscreen son, Tom Felton, wrote a beautiful message about her on Instagram.
He said that while he never had the chance to tell her this, she shaped him as a person, 'so much.'
'She was always relentlessly herself- razor sharp wit - silver tongued - kind & warm hearted - she suffered no fools yet had time for everyone - thank you for lighting the way forward & holding my hand when I needed it xx'
While J.K. Rowling tweeted, 'I’m devastated to learn of the death of Helen McCrory, an extraordinary actress and a wonderful woman who’s left us far too soon.'
'My deepest condolences to her family, especially her husband and children.'
'Simply heartbreaking news.'
I’m devastated to learn of the death of Helen McCrory, an extraordinary actress and a wonderful woman who’s left us far too soon. My deepest condolences to her family, especially her husband and children. Simply heartbreaking news.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 16, 2021
Fans have also flooded social media, paying tribute to late, great actress.
Our sincerest condolences to Helen's family and friends.
