Former London gangster turned actor, Dave Courtney, who was known for his association with the notorious Kray twins, has died at the age of 64.
He was found dead at his residence on Chestnut Rise, Plumstead, in the early hours of Sunday, with a post on his Instagram account announcing that he had taken his own life.
The announcement on Instagram stated: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Dave Courtney at the age of 64.”
In a statement, Courtney’s family described his remarkable life, colored with the vibrant shades of rock ‘n’ roll, which touched the hearts of many. They added that the physical pain, aggravated by cancer and arthritis in his later years, became unbearable.
Dave Courtney’s legacy extended into popular culture, as he was rumored to be the inspiration for Vinnie Jones’s character “Big Chris” in Guy Ritchie’s iconic gangster film “Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels.” He transitioned from a life of crime to become an author and actor, publishing six books and starring in a film titled “Hell To Pay.”
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Reflecting on his past, Courtney stated in a BBC London interview last year: “I may have been a bit naughty when I was a young man. The word gangster is a very historical word. It’s a romantic figure of the past, gangsters, like knights in shining armor, cowboys, pirates, gangsters. Today definitely is not the time to try and be a gangster… you’re trying to beat technology and you can’t do that.”
Courtney mentioned that he had a mural on the side of his house featuring various figures, including the Kray twins, Lenny McLean, Joey Pyle, Charlie Richardson, Ronnie Biggs, John Gotti, Roy Shaw, Freddie Foreman, Howard Marks, and Al Capone, among others. “And I’m stuck right in the middle of it, me and a bunch of mates,” he said.
His final Facebook post showed him watching Charlton Athletic secure a 4-0 victory over Reading on Saturday.
The Metropolitan Police responded to reports of a man found deceased at an address on Chestnut Rise around 11:25 BST. They confirmed the death of a 64-year-old man at the scene, noting that the family has been informed. Formal identification has yet to occur, and the unexpected death is under investigation. No arrests have been made in connection with the incident.
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