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Tributes are paid to veteran actor JJ Murphy

Tributes are paid to veteran actor JJ Murphy

TRIBUTES have been paid to the veteran Belfast actor J.J. Murphy who has passed away at the aged of 86.

Mr. Murphy had enjoyed a long career in theatre, television and films. He had originally trained with the Ulster Group Theatre School in the late 1940s before going on to work for many years in the Lyric Theatre in Belfast.

During the 1970s, he was a familiar face on Ulster Television where he worked as a continuity presenter and newsreader.

He had recently joined the cast of the popular HBO series Game of Thrones which is being filmed in Northern Ireland. Mr. Murphy had been cast as Ser Denys Mallister of the Night’s Watch in series five of the show and had already been involved in filming scenes.

Game of Thrones producers, D.B. Weiss and David Benioff, paid tribute to Mr. Murphy. They said: “He was a lovely man and the best Denys Mallister we could have hoped for. And now his watch is ended.”

The producers made it clear that they will not be re-casting the role.

Last year, Mr. Murphy had worked on the Hollywood movie Dracula Untold which was filmed in Northern Ireland. The £100m film is due to be released in October.

His other film credits included Cal (1984), Angela’s Ashes (1999), Mickybo and Me (2004) and Faraway (2013).

Mr. Murphy passed away suddenly at his home in south Belfast. He is survived by his wife Mary and his children Joseph and Jane.

His Funeral took place in Belfast on Wednesday (August 13). Requiem Mass was held in St. Brigid’s Church. For full details of the Funeral arrangements, click here.

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