TheGame of Thronesand acting community at large is in mourning after thepassingofPeter Vaughanearlier today. The actor is perhaps best known toGame of Thrones fansas Maester Aemon Targaryen in the first, third, fourth and fifth seasons of the show. Here’s what his agent,Sally Long-Innes, had to say in a brief statement about her client’s death.
“This is to confirm that very sadlyPeter Vaughanpassed away at approximately 10.30 this morning. Hedied peacefullywith his family around him.”
Several outlets includingThe Hollywood Reporterreported on theactor’s passing, while the officialGame of ThronesTwitter sent out a tribute to the actor, statying the show' is “saddened by the passing” ofPeter Vaughan. While the actor may be best known to younger generations for his role onGame of Thrones,Peter Straughan’s impressive career spanned more than 60 years.
Peter Vaughanwas bornPeter Ewart Ohmon June 20, 2025 in Wem Shopshire, England, and he began his acting career on the stage before transitioning to films and television. He made his feature film debut in 1959 with a small role inThe 39 Steps, while appearing in guest-starring roles in a number of shows such asSaturday Playhouse,Inside Story,Deadline MidnightandA Chance of Thunder, just to name a few. He would go on to portray Bill Sikes in the 1962Oliver Twistmini-series, and star in a number of British TV shows such asCitizen Smith,Chancer,Our Friends in the NorthandSilk. He is still best known to many fans as Harry Grout in the 1975 prison seriesPorridge.
On the big screen,Peter Vaughanwould go on to star inThe Naked RunnerwithFrank Sinatra,Straw DogsalongsideDustin Hoffman,The Mackintosh ManwithPaul NewmanandThe French Lieutenant’s Womanwith then-rising starsMeryl StreepandJeremy Irons. He also became a favorite of directorTerry Gilliam, who cast him as Winston the Ogre inTime Bandits, Mr. Helpmann inBrazil, and he also had a role in the director’sThe Man Who Killed Don Quixote, which never saw the light of day after numerous production troubles.
His other big-screen credits includeHaunted HoneymoonwithGene WilderandGilda Radner,King of the WindwithRichard Harris,The Remains of the DaywithAnthony Hopkins,The CruciblewithDaniel Day-Lewisand 2007’sDeath at a FuneralwithAlan Tudyk. His last feature film role was in 2011’sAlbatross, alongsideJessica Brown Findlay,Harry TreadawayandJulia Ormond. The actor issurvived byhis wife of 50 years, actressLillias Walker. Take a look at the tribute tweet sent out in honor of the late Peter Vaughan.
