Marcus Gilbert, best known for playing Rupert Campbell-Black in the 1993 TV adaptation of Jilly Cooper's Riders, has died at the age of 67. The Bristol-born actor passed away on Sunday following a three-year battle with throat cancer.
Gilbert's personal life was marked by tragedy. At the age of 12, he lost his father George and both grandparents on the same night. In 2020, his first wife Homaa died from pancreatic cancer at age 60, on the same day as his birthday. The couple had been married for 28 years and had two children, Maxi and Aaliya.
During Homaa's treatment, Gilbert was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. His daughter Aaliya later wrote about her mother's bravery, noting how she supported her father through his diagnosis while undergoing chemotherapy herself.
In 2023, Gilbert found love again with actress Lysette Anthony. He reached out to her after learning of her own Parkinson's diagnosis, offering support. Anthony described their relationship as 'a partnership of dreams' and said Gilbert called their time together 'the third act'.
Gilbert's death was confirmed by his family. He is survived by his partner Lysette Anthony and his two children.
