BBC star & Bafta-winner with career spanning six decades dies aged 97 as Michael Palin leads tributes
BBC star and Bafta-winner Lee Montague has sadly died aged 97.
Michael Palin has led heartfelt tributes for the star who had a stellar career spanning six decades.
In a touching message, Michael Palin said: “Very sad to hear that I shall not see Lee again.
“He was such good company, wise, experienced, empathetic, funny. It was always a pleasure to share a stage with him.”
Lee trained at the Old Vic theatre school and first appeared on stage in 1950.
He went on to perform at the RSC, and the Old Vic with Laurence Olivier.
Other notable venues included Manchester Royal Exchange, and Bristol Old Vic.
His screen debut saw him shoot to fame 1952 in John Huston’s Moulin Rouge.
Other credits over the years included The Silent Enemy, Bill Budd, Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Jesus of Nazareth, and Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence.
In 1965 Lee became the first storyteller on the BBC children’s programme Jackanory and narrated 15 episodes.
By the 70s Lee was a recurring actor in The Sweeney, Bergerac and Seconds Out.
Robert Lindsay who played a boxer in 1981 TV series Seconds Out opposite Lee said: “I’m devastated as I regarded Lee as my theatrical Dad and I have kept in touch with him over many years.”
Hampstead playwright Sir David Hare said Lee was: “a consummate gentleman”.
And author Deborah Moggach added: “I absolutely loved how he was always up for a chat, down at the shops, and how terribly interesting he was, and fun. He was such a lovely lovely man.”
Lee, whose real name was Leonard Goldberg, was born in Bow in 1927.
He had live in South End Green for 65 years and was best known locally as the saviour of Keats Library.
Camden Council announced it was shuttering the venue in 2011, but Lee formed a committee of neighbours to set up the Keats Community Library charity – which is still running today.
He was made President for Life and wrote scripts for several actors to perform at fundraisers, including Michael Palin.
Stephen Bobasch, Chair of Keats Community Library said: “Lee was a lovely person and modest about his career, and he was so well read. He did so much for the community.
“We were touched by the lovely comments we have received from distinguished performers and writers as well as his friends and neighbours. He will be greatly missed.”
Speaking about what inspired him to pursue the world of acting, Lee said in a 2014 Ham&High interview: “Mamie Watson was a drama teacher at Toynbee Hall who saw something in this boy from the East End and urged him on.”
The star was also asked about who he would like to portray him in a movie about his life.
He replied: “A resurrected Walter Matthau. My idol. I loved his brand of humour.”
Lee leaves behind two children, who he shared with his late wide Ruth Goring.
The pair were married for 67 years until her death in 2023.