Entertainment
Sir Mark Rylance pulls out of West End shows following death of brother Jonathan Waters, 60, in horror cycling crash-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro
He was hit by an oncoming vehicle while cycling late one evening.
Jonathan Waters was the younger brother of the Oscar-winning actor (Picture: Getty/Instagram)
The brother of Oscar-winning actor Sir Mark Rylance has died following a tragic cycling crash.
Jonathan Waters was cycling in Oakland last Friday night when he was hit by an oncoming car.
He suffered severe head injuries and the fire service gave him treatment, as they were first to arrive at the scene. Waters was rushed to hospital, but the 60-year-old sadly died the following morning.
Known as Jonno by friends and family, the wine expert was the younger brother of the much-loved actor, with his tragic following the death of one of his two step-daughters, who died from a fatal brain haemorrhage in 2012.
Rylance, who is currently performing in the West End, has taken time off and will travel to the US for a memorial service.
Waters has spent over 30 years in the States, working at one of California’s most acclaimed restaurants, Chez Panisse.
Sir Mark Rylance will now take time off from his stint in the West End (Picture: Getty)
He started off clearing tables before becoming a wine water, as he had extensive knowledge of the beverage.
One friend described what they loved about Waters, saying they loved ‘his grace and joy, light and wit and spirit.’
Waters was one of two of Rylance’s siblings, the other being sister Susannah Waters, a writer and director, aged 57.
Rylance was born Mark Waters but took the name Mark Rylance in the 1980s since there was already someone with his name registered with the acting union Equity.
The British actor has been starring in a revival of Jerusalem over recent months, with critics praising his ‘almost super-human’ performance.
Ticket holders have been informed of Rylance’s absence from the show, as he issued a statement to announce the death of his ‘dear brother.’
‘I am so sorry to tell you that on the 28th of May my dear brother Jonathan Waters was knocked from his bicycle and tragically died of his injuries,’ he began.
‘In order to attend his funeral in California, I unfortunately have to miss three performances of Jerusalem over Saturday 11th – Sunday 12th June.
‘As I have no understudy to play the role Rooster Johnny Byron, sadly these performances have been cancelled.’
He added that Sonia Friedman Productions, together with Nimax, are arranging additional performances at the end of the scheduled run to ‘try and accommodate everyone who will be affected.’
‘I hope you understand my need to grieve my beloved brother and thank you for your support at this time. I hope you will be able to attend another performance of Jerusalem.’
The actor also has a younger sister, named Susannah Waters (Picture: WireImage)
Rylance will attend a service on Sunday in California, where his brother’s life will be celebrated.
His younger sister has also expressed her pain following their ‘beloved’ sibling’s death, sharing on Instagram that Waters was loved by ‘hundreds of people’ who ‘say he changed their lives’ and ‘even meeting him a few times, people immediately felt they were his friend.’
‘And for me, his sister, he was my touchstone, my person on this earth. Along with the other members of my family whom I am so so blessed to have. I am lost. A huge piece of me gone. Dehydrated from weeping,’ she wrote.
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‘But last night at the dinner when our youngest asked the table what are you thankful for, the answer was immediate. That I had a brother I loved so much, that he lived a brave, true real life, and affected so many people in a positive way.
‘That he and I knew each other deeply, trusted each other, will always always love each other.’
She added that ‘this pain will ease but the joy he gave me, and Fed and our kids, and so many others is a part of us all for ever.’
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