Marcus Gilbert Obituary: Riders Star and Television Heartthrob Dies at 67
The actor Marcus Gilbert, who achieved fame as the charismatic and controversial Rupert Campbell-Black in the 1990s television adaptation of Jilly Cooper's novel Riders, has died from throat cancer at the age of 67. Gilbert's career spanned several decades and included notable roles in film franchises such as Rambo and Evil Dead, alongside his work in classic television dramas.
From Barbara Cartland to Jilly Cooper: A Career Transformation
Gilbert initially gained attention through his performances in television adaptations of Barbara Cartland's romantic novels, where he portrayed dashing, traditional heroes. However, his career-defining role came in 1993 when he was cast as the bed-hopping, ruthless showjumper Rupert Campbell-Black in the mini-series Riders, based on Jilly Cooper's popular Rutshire Chronicles.
To prepare for this part, Gilbert underwent a significant physical transformation, losing half a stone and dyeing his hair blond. He and his co-star Michael Praed received intensive horse-riding lessons from Household Cavalry instructor Richard Waygood at Knightsbridge barracks, essential for their roles as competitive showjumpers.
The role involved around 20 candid sex scenes, a stark contrast to the chaste romances of Cartland's stories. Cooper herself described the character as a composite of several real-life aristocratic figures, including Andrew Parker Bowles and the 11th Duke of Beaufort, though she emphasised that his notorious personality was her own creation.
Rise to Fame and Subsequent Career Path
Gilbert's performance in Riders propelled him to sex-symbol status and led to a lucrative four-year contract starring in Nescafé Gold Blend television advertisements from 1993, taking over from previous stars Anthony Head and Sharon Maughan. Despite this commercial success, the series did not translate into sustained mainstream stardom for Gilbert.
Interestingly, Jilly Cooper later expressed disappointment with the television production, describing it as "dreadful" and characterising Gilbert's portrayal of Rupert as a "total wimp". Following the peak of his fame, Gilbert's acting roles became less frequent, and he increasingly focused on producing corporate travel and adventure documentaries through his own company, Touch the Sky Productions.
Early Life and Personal Tragedy
Born in Bristol in 1958, Gilbert was the son of mezzo soprano opera singer Sheila Lucas and business executive George Gilbert. He grew up in Shoreham, West Sussex, but experienced profound tragedy at the age of 12 when his father and maternal grandparents were killed in a car accident while travelling to see his mother perform. Gilbert was the sole survivor of the crash, sustaining serious injuries including a cracked skull and broken ribs.
In a 2016 interview, he reflected on this period, stating, "I was lost and didn't really know what to do." After completing A-levels at Steyning Grammar School, he initially pursued a business studies course to honour his father's memory but soon turned to acting, training at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London.
Television and Film Career Highlights
Gilbert's early career included theatre work with the Odyssey company and repertory experience in Dundee. His television breakthrough came with roles in productions such as:
- Diana (1984), an adaptation of RF Delderfield's novel
- Master of the Game (1984), based on Sidney Sheldon's work
- Robin of Sherwood (1984), where he first worked with Michael Praed
He progressed to more substantial parts, playing German diplomat Anton von Felseck in a Sherlock Holmes story and the villain Eric von Stalhein in Biggles (1986). During this period, Gilbert was reportedly considered for the role of James Bond, though Timothy Dalton was ultimately cast in 1986.
His starring role in the 1987 television film A Hazard of Hearts, another Cartland adaptation, featured him as the ruthless Lord Justin Vulcan opposite Helena Bonham Carter. Gilbert noted the restrained nature of Cartland's romances, remarking that "a Barbara Cartland kiss is incredibly suggestive."
Later Career and Personal Life
Following Riders, Gilbert's television work consisted mainly of guest appearances in series such as Murder, She Wrote (1994), Jonathan Creek (1998), and Doctors (2001). His film roles included antagonists in Rambo III (1988) alongside Sylvester Stallone and Army of Darkness (1992), the third instalment of the Evil Dead franchise.
In his personal life, Gilbert married Homaa Khan in 1992, with whom he had two children: a son, Maxi, and a daughter, Aaliya. Following his wife's death from pancreatic cancer in 2020, he renewed a relationship with actress Lysette Anthony, his co-star from the 1990 television film A Ghost in Monte Carlo.
In his later years, Gilbert dedicated himself to documentary production, creating travelogues such as Kilimanjaro: Six Days (2005), documenting his ascent of Africa's highest mountain, and Kathmandu: Transitions & Traditions (2018).
Marcus Gilbert is survived by his partner Lysette Anthony and his two children. His career, marked by both popular television fame and subsequent diversification into documentary filmmaking, leaves a distinctive legacy in British entertainment.
