Michael Byrne, British Stage Actor, Dies at 86

Key Points:

• Michael Byrne, a British stage actor known for his roles in major films and theater, has died at the age of 86, as confirmed by his talent agency Conway Van Gelder Grant.
• A notable stage performance was his role as Dr. Roberto Miranda in the 1991 premiere of Ariel Dorfman’s "Death and the Maiden" at the Royal Court Theater in London.
• Byrne had a strong Shakespearean background, playing roles such as Polonius in "Hamlet," Cassius in "Julius Caesar," and Prince Hal in "Henry IV," and appeared in the 2010 production "Juliet and Her Romeo" at the Bristol Old Vic.
• Born in London in 1939, Byrne began his acting career in the early 1960s, working with Laurence Olivier and specializing in World War II films during the 1970s, often portraying military characters from both sides of the conflict.
• His television credits include playing Cicero in "Empire" (2005) and appearances on British series like "Coronation Street" and "Casualty"; details about his survivors have not been released.