Terence Beesley, the British actor who was married to Extras star Ashley Jensen, died by suicide on November 30, 2017, at the age of 60. He was found unconscious in his car in the garage of their Somerset home, with a hosepipe attached to the exhaust. He had inhaled a lethal amount of carbon monoxide, which was the medical cause of his death. In this article, we will explore his life, career, and the circumstances of his tragic death.
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A Versatile and Talented Actor
Terence Beesley was born in London on September 8, 1957. He developed a passion for acting at a young age and joined the National Youth Theatre. He studied drama at the Guildford School of Acting and began his career in theatre, performing in various plays across the UK and abroad. He also appeared in several TV shows and films, such as The Bill, Casualty, EastEnders, Midsomer Murders, War and Peace, and Victoria He was known for his versatility and talent, playing a range of characters from comedy to drama.
A Loving Husband and Father
Terence Beesley met Ashley Jensen, the Scottish actress best known for her roles in Extras, Ugly Betty, and Catastrophe, in 1999, when they were both cast in a production of King Lear in London. They fell in love and moved in together shortly after. They got married in 2007, in a private ceremony in California, and had a son, Francis, in 2009. They settled in Somerset, where they lived a happy and quiet life, away from the spotlight. Jensen described Beesley as her “soulmate” and said they had a “healthy and loving relationship”.
A Shocking and Unexplained Suicide
Terence Beesley’s death came as a shock to everyone who knew him, as he had shown no signs of depression or mental health issues. He had been working on a script for a new play and had been in contact with his wife and agent on the day of his death. He had also booked a holiday with his family and had plans to see his friends. He left no note or message to explain his actions.
His wife, Ashley Jensen, was the one who discovered his body, after returning home from a shopping trip. She called the emergency services and tried to resuscitate him, but it was too late. She said she was “extremely shocked” by what happened and that she had “no idea he was capable of what he did”.
An inquest into his death was held in February 2018, where the coroner ruled that it was a suicide. He said that there was no evidence to indicate why Beesley took his own life, but that he had made a “deliberate act” and that he knew his wife and son were not at home.
A Sad and Unforgettable Loss
Terence Beesley’s death left a huge void in the lives of his family, friends, and colleagues, who paid tribute to him as a “wonderful, warm, witty, humble, and generous” person. His wife, Ashley Jensen, said that he was “the love of her life” and that she would “never forget him”. His son, Francis, who was only eight years old at the time, said that he missed his dad “very much”.
Terence Beesley was a talented and respected actor, who had a successful and diverse career. He was also a loving and devoted husband and father, who cherished his family. He will be remembered as a kind and gentle soul, who touched many hearts with his presence.
Sources: According to BBC, according to HuffPost UK, according to IMDb.
