Marcus Gilbert, the actor best known for playing Rupert Campbell-Black in the 1990s television series Riders, has died of throat cancer at the age of 67. Gilbert also appeared in the film franchises Rambo and Evil Dead.
Gilbert rose to fame as the womanising showjumper Rupert Campbell-Black in the 1993 mini-series Riders, based on Jilly Cooper's novel. The role involved around 20 sex scenes and brought him a lucrative contract for Nescafé Gold Blend commercials. However, Cooper later described the production as 'dreadful' and said Gilbert's portrayal made Rupert a 'total wimp'.
Born in Bristol to a mezzo-soprano mother and a business executive father, Gilbert grew up in Shoreham, West Sussex. At age 12, he survived a car crash that killed his father and maternal grandparents. He later trained at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London.
His television credits included Robin of Sherwood (1984), Biggles (1986), and two Barbara Cartland adaptations: A Hazard of Hearts (1987) and A Ghost in Monte Carlo (1990). He also played villains in Rambo III (1988) and Army of Darkness (1992).
Gilbert was married to Homaa Khan from 1992 until her death from pancreatic cancer in 2020. He is survived by his partner, actress Lysette Anthony, with whom he had a brief relationship in the early 1990s before rekindling their romance in 2023.
