Leonard Rossiter Obituary

Leonard Rossiter was an English actor. He had a long career in the theatre but achieved his highest profile for his television comedy roles starring as Rupert Rigsby in the ITV series Rising Damp from 1974 to 1978, and Reginald Perrin in the BBC’s The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin from 1976 to 1979.

Leonard Rossiter Obituary

Leonard Rossiter, one of Britain’s most popular comic actors, collapsed during a performance in London and died Friday night, apparently of a heart attack. Mr. Rossiter, who was 57 years old, was declared dead at Middlesex Hospital.

Mr. Rossiter had been playing a detective in ”Loot,” by Joe Orton, at the Lyric Theater. About 15 minutes into Friday evening’s performance he missed an entrance, and the theater’s manager found he had collapsed in his dressing room.

Born in Liverpool on Oct. 21, 1926, Mr. Rossiter is perhaps best known to American audiences for his performances in the movies ”This Sporting Life,” ”Billy Liar,” ”King Rat,” ”Oliver!” and ”Britannia Hospital.”