McGimpsey pays tribute to James Ellis

The Ulster Unionist Party’s Culture & Arts spokesperson, Michael McGimpsey MLA has paid tribute to the actor James Ellis who dies at the weekend.

Mr McGimpsey said:

“James Ellis was a pillar of the artistic community nationwide for a generation.

“He began his rise to prominence at the Group Theatre in the 1950s, directed Sam Thompson’s play Over the Bridge in 1960, achieved national acclaim as Bert Lynch in Z Cars and in Graham Reid’s Billy plays in the 1980s and starred in many more productions.

“He showed great versatility and a capacity for gritty realistic portrayal of working class characters and his talent encompassed the full dramatic range.

“He was one of the first actors to bring the Ulster accent to a UK wide audience and although he achieved a great deal of fame and recognition, he never forgot his roots and remained a son of Belfast who loved to return to Northern Ireland.

“He remained a down to earth and likeable man who was as popular with the ordinary people of Northern Ireland as he was with members of the acting profession.