Leonard Fenton Wiki

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Who was Leonard Fenton ?

EastEnders actor Leonard Fenton has died at the age of 95.

Leonard was best known for playing Walford’s original GP, Dr. Harold Legg, who appeared on the BBC soap opera from its first episode in 1985, until his character was killed off in 2019.

Leonard Fenton was a British actor, director and painter. He was best known for his role as Dr. Harold Legg in EastEnders. Wikipedia

Family

A statement from his family read: “The family of actor Leonard Fenton is heartbroken to announce his death at the age of 95 on Saturday January 29.

“Best known for his role as Dr. Legg on EastEnders, Leonard’s acting career spanned more than 60 years.”

Leonard Fenton dies at 95: The EastEnders actor best known for his role as the beloved Dr. Harold Legg passed away on Saturday, his family revealed in a statement (pictured in 2009)

He continued: ‘He worked in television and film and his long stage career included time at the National Theater and, more recently, the Royal Shakespeare Company.

“He felt privileged to have worked with some of the theater’s greats, including Samuel Beckett, Orson Welles and Jonathan Miller.”

Statement

The statement concluded: ‘His passion for painting and singing predates his acting career and was equally important to him. His family will miss him beyond words.

“We feel incredibly lucky to have been able to be with him when his health took a turn for the worse towards the end, a privilege denied to so many during these difficult times.”

An EastEnders spokesperson added: “We are deeply saddened to learn that Leonard has passed away.

“Since he appeared in the first episode of EastEnders, Leonard created a truly iconic character in Doctor Legg who will always be remembered. Our love and thoughts are with Leonard’s family and friends.”

Career

His acting career spanned over fifty years and saw him appear in a total of 267 episodes of EastEnders.

Leonard and his wife, cellist Madeline Thorner, had four children together.

The EastEnders Twitter account marked the actor’s passing, posting: ‘Dr. Harold Legg. An #EastEnders icon from the very first episode. Here’s Leonard Fenton for his wonderful presence over the decades. #EastEnders.’

Leonard’s on-screen best friend, June Brown, who played Dot Cotton, said in a statement, “I met Leonard as Dr. Legg when I joined the cast of EastEnders as Dot, his hypochondriac patient, in 1985.

“He was a charming man in every way, first as a person and then as an actor, extremely polite and kind.

“I greatly enjoyed working with him for many years and missed him when he retired. I was glad to have been with him in the last scene of him with Dot at her bedside and my thoughts are with his devoted family.

While Gillian Taylforth (Kathy Beale) said

Natalie Cassidy (who plays Sonia Fowler) said, “I had the pleasure of working with Leonard. He was absolutely charming, joked around with me all the time and loved talking about his past.

‘I am honored that our paths have crossed. My thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”

While Gillian Taylforth (Kathy Beale) said: ‘I am so sorry to hear such sad news about Leonard. He was a lovely, lovely man, very kind and always told the most wonderful stories.

‘I send my love and condolences to his family. RIP dear Leonard.

Quick and Facts

• The actor appeared in a total of 267 episodes of EastEnders, appearing on the soap from its very first episode in 1985
• In 2019 his character was killed off on the soap in an emotional storyline that saw him die in the arms of best friend Dot Cotton