Simon Fisher-Becker has died at the age of 63.
His agent, Kim Barry of Jaffrey Management, confirmed to Metro that the beloved actor passed away on Sunday.
Fisher-Becker was best known for his role as intergalactic black marketeer Dorium Maldovar in Doctor Who and as the ghostly Fat Friar in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. He also appeared as Tony Fazackerley in Puppy Love for the BBC, starring alongside Bafta-winner Joanna Scanlan and Vicki Pepperdine.
Paying tribute in a statement, Barry reflected on the actor’s impact:
“Today I lost not only a client in Simon Fisher-Becker, but a close personal friend of 15 years standing. I shall never forget the phone call I made to him when he was offered the part of Dorium Maldovar in Doctor Who.
Simon was also a writer, a raconteur, and a great public speaker. He helped me out enormously and was kind, gracious, and interested in everyone.
My condolences go to his husband Tony, his brother, nieces, nephews, and his legion of fans.”
Fisher-Becker’s husband, Tony, also shared the news with fans via the actor’s Facebook page:
“Hello everyone. This is Tony, Simon’s husband.
I have some very sad news. At 2:50 this afternoon, Simon passed away.
I’ll be keeping this account open for a while. I’m not sure at this point if I’ll be posting again. Thank you.”
The veteran performer had an extensive career, working alongside legends such as Paul Scofield and Dame Eileen Atkins. His television credits included One Foot in the Grave, The Bill, Doctors, Love Soup, Getting On, and Afterlife. He also appeared in the Oscar-winning 2012 film Les Misérables.
Fisher-Becker’s Doctor Who character, Dorium Maldovar, appeared in series five and six during Matt Smith’s tenure as the Doctor, before making further appearances in the Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor Chronicles and Jenny – The Doctor’s Daughter podcast series.
As the Fat Friar, he portrayed Hufflepuff House’s resident ghost, a role that, despite being reduced in the films, remains beloved by Harry Potter fans.
Beyond acting, Fisher-Becker was a popular figure on social media, a vlogger, and a writer, penning several memoirs and stage shows about his life and career.
Many fans took to social media to pay tribute to the late actor.
“His stage routine was one of the funniest things I’ve heard in ages. A dear man who valued his audiences. RIP Simon, shine on.” – Joe Halliday on X
“Really sad news. I met him at a con a few years ago and he was really lovely.” – Kelly Stuart
“Incredibly upsetting to hear. What’s lovely is that both Dorium and the Maldovarium/Maldovar market are plastered all over the Moffat era of Doctor Who. He’ll never be forgotten.” – Jessi
“‘The first question, the question you have been running from your whole lives. Doctor Who?’ Amazing delivery, RIP Simon.” – @TheyOllyOmar on Reddit
Simon Fisher-Becker’s warmth, talent, and generosity will be missed by many, but his contributions to film, television, and theatre will endure.