Joining the ranks of celebrities who have died from the coronavirus is Jay Benedict, an actor who had roles in “Aliens” and “The Dark Knight Rises.”
According to the New York Post, the 68-year-old passed away on Apr. 4 because of complications caused by COVID-19. His agency, TSG, also confirmed his death “with great sadness” but did not provide any other details about his passing.
Born in California, Benedict moved to Europe in the 60s and established a thriving career on the stage and the screen. His theater credits include “The Rocky Horror Show,” Sweet Bird of Youth,” “The Foreigner,” and “Filumena.”
On television, he appeared in shows such as “Lilyhammer,” “Queen Victoria’s Men,” “Sharpe’s Honor,” and “Emmerdale.” His film credits include “Aliens,” “The Dirty Dozen: Next Mission,” “The White Knight,” “The Russia House,” and “The Dark Knight Rises.”
Deadline also took note of his work alongside Paz Vega in 2003’s “Carmen,” as well as his supporting roles in “Madame” and “I.T.”
Benedict also worked as a voice actor, providing his voice for video games as well as advertisements and documentaries. He has joked about this part of his career, saying that the “irritatingly soothing voice” people hear in the in-flight announcements is probably him.
He is survived by his wife, actress Phoebe Scholfield, and their two sons, Freddie and Leopold.
Other celebrities that have passed away due to complications brought about by the coronavirus include Eddie Large, a British comedian, and actor and dialect coach Andrew Jack. Broadway actor Mark Blum, celebrity biographer Patricia Bosworth, and “Top Chef Masters” winner Floyd Cardoz have also died from complications brought about by COVID-19.
Celebrities that have tested positive for COVID-19 include singer and actress Marianne Faithfull, CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, and actors Ali Wentworth, Olga Kurylenko, Andy Cohen, Rita Wilson, Idris Elba, Tom Hanks, Kristofer Hivju, and Placido Domingo. The prime minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, is also in the intensive care unit because of the coronavirus.
According to The Guardian, the United Kingdom now has 51,608 people that have tested positive for COVID-19. Coronavirus deaths in the United Kingdom are now at 5,373. Bars, schools, and restaurants are now closed as well because of a lockdown imposed by the government of the United Kingdom.
The Apr. 6 situation report of the World Health Organization puts the coronavirus death toll at 67,594, with 4,810 new deaths added. Confirmed coronavirus cases are now at 1,210,956 people, with 77,200 new confirmed cases added.