His passing was announced by his talent agency, Markham, Froggatt & Irwin. Godfrey died peacefully at home on Thursday while surrounded by family members. No cause of death was disclosed.
A Career That Reached Across Stage and Screen
Born Patrick Lindesay Archibald Godfrey in London on February 13, 1933, he began his professional journey after winning the prestigious Carleton Hobbs Bursary and joining the BBC’s Radio Drama Company in 1956. His screen career gathered momentum in the decades that followed, leading to roles in period dramas and literary adaptations that became staples of British cinema.
Godfrey appeared in films such as “A Room with a View,” “Maurice,” “The Remains of the Day,” “The Count of Monte Cristo,” “The Importance of Being Earnest,” “The Duchess,” “Les Misérables,” and “Mr. Turner.” While often cast in supporting parts, he developed a reputation for bringing authority and subtlety to historical figures, clergymen, academics, and aristocrats.
His role as Leonardo da Vinci in “Ever After” remains one of his most recognizable performances, thanks to the character’s relationship with Drew Barrymore‘s Danielle.
Television audiences encountered him in a wide range of productions over the years. His credits included “Doctor Who,” “Inspector Morse,” “Foyle’s War,” “Midsomer Murders,” “Casualty,” “The Bill,” “Doc Martin,” and “His Dark Materials.” He was also active in voice work, contributing performances to projects such as “BioShock 2,” “Red Dead Redemption,” and “Red Dead Redemption 2.”
Godfrey is survived by his wife, actress Amanda Walker, whom he married in 1960, and their two children.