[Deathwatch] John Thaw, actor, 60

[Deathwatch Central <cdw@slick.org>]

John Thaw, TV's Inspector Morse, Dies 
Thu Feb 21, 9:03 PM ET 
By AUDREY WOODS, Associated Press Writer 

LONDON (AP) - Actor John Thaw, known to millions of TV viewers
worldwide as the grumpy, music-loving detective in "Inspector Morse,"
died Thursday at 60 after a battle with throat cancer.
  
"John died with his family around him" at home, said Thaw's wife of 29
years, actress Sheila Hancock.

Thaw was a respected stage actor and had been a leading television
actor for many years. But was he was indelibly identified with
"Inspector Morse" after creating a complex character whose flaws
appealed to fans as much as his better qualities.

The highly praised British series began in 1985 and lasted for 33
two-hour episodes that aired over 15 years. "Inspector Morse" had a
13-year run in the United States on PBS' "Mystery!" series, beginning
in 1988, and was shown in many other countries.

Thaw announced last June that he was undergoing treatment for cancer of
the throat but that he intended to get back to work.

"He loved work," said "Morse" creator Colin Dexter. "He was a
perfectionist. ... That's how I will remember him, I think, giving 100
percent."

David Liddiment of ITV, the network that broadcast "Morse," said after
learning of the actor's death, "Throughout his distinguished career
John understood the power of the small screen. He was the consummate
television actor."

Producer Ted Childs told Sky TV that Thaw was "a great human being;
generous, funny and self-effacing," and that the power of his acting
was "very often in what he didn't say, rather than what he did."

Thaw was born in Manchester, northern England, on Jan. 3, 1942, the son
of a long-distance truck driver. His mother left the family when he was
7.

After leaving school he worked as a baker and a laborer until a teacher
who had seen him in school plays encouraged him to audition for the
prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. He won admission at 17.

His career began with a number of stage roles, followed by television
work — often as policemen.

His first big success came as a belligerent, foul-mouthed cop in "The
Sweeney," a popular police series that started in 1975 and lasted three
years.

After Morse, Thaw went on to play a trial lawyer in "Kavanagh QC," also
a success. Thaw reportedly was considering work in new episodes at the
time he died.

Thaw was married for four years in his 20s. He and Sheila Hancock were
married in 1973. Between them, they had three daughters — Melanie Jane,
from Hancock's first marriage, Abigail from Thaw's first marriage, and
Joanne. All three survive.

Thaw smoked heavily. He tried to give up but said he became so "nervy,
edgy and snappy" and that after driving his wife and daughters mad, he
decided he would much rather smoke and be pleasant and relaxed for
everyone else's sake.

Thaw was honored in 1993 as a Commander of the Order of British Empire,
or CBE, and last year won a British Academy Television Awards
fellowship, the organization's highest award. He received the academy's
Best Actor award in 1990 and 1993 for "Inspector Morse."

Funeral plans were not immediately available.