Charles Gillan Jr was a television set designer and architect who died of bone disease in 2002. He was the longtime companion of Paul Winfield, an award-winning actor and civil rights activist. In this article, we will explore the life and death of Charles Gillan Jr, and how his loss affected Paul Winfield.
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Who was Charles Gillan Jr?
Charles Stanley Gillan Jr was born on November 29, 1951 in San Francisco, California. He was the son of Charles Stanley Gillan Sr and Ethel Mary Meredith. He had six siblings: Margaret, Patricia, Kathleen, Mary, Teresa, and Michael.
Charles Gillan Jr studied architecture and design at various universities, including the University of Portland, Stanford University, Los Angeles City College, UCLA, University of Hawaii, and UC Santa Barbara. He became a partner in the design firm TECTA Associates, which specialized in architectural restoration.
He also worked as a television set designer for several shows, such as The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful, and Star Trek: The Next Generation. He was nominated for two Emmy Awards for his work on Star Trek.
How did Charles Gillan Jr meet Paul Winfield?
Charles Gillan Jr met Paul Winfield in the late 1970s. Paul Winfield was a prominent actor who had starred in films such as Sounder, The Terminator, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, and Presumed Innocent. He was also known for his portrayal of Martin Luther King Jr in the 1978 miniseries King, for which he received an Emmy nomination.
Paul Winfield was one of the first black actors to achieve success in Hollywood. He was also openly gay at a time when homosexuality was still taboo and discriminated against. He met Charles Gillan Jr at a party and they hit it off immediately. They became lovers and partners for the next 30 years.
What was Charles Gillan Jr’s cause of death?
Charles Gillan Jr died on March 5, 2002 in Los Angeles, California. He was 50 years old. His cause of death was bone disease, which is a general term for any condition that affects the bones. Some examples of bone diseases are osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, Paget’s disease, and bone cancer.
It is not clear what type of bone disease Charles Gillan Jr had or how long he suffered from it. However, it is likely that he experienced pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility in his joints and bones. He may have also had fractures or infections in his bones.
How did Paul Winfield cope with Charles Gillan Jr’s death?
Paul Winfield was devastated by Charles Gillan Jr’s death. He had lost his soulmate and companion of three decades. He fell into a deep depression and grief that lasted for two years. He isolated himself from his friends and family and stopped working.
He said in an interview that he felt like he had no reason to live anymore. He said that he had given up on life and that he wished he could join Charles in heaven. He said that he missed him every day and that he felt lonely and empty without him.
Paul Winfield eventually sought professional help and therapy to deal with his loss. He also found comfort in his faith and spirituality. He said that he believed that Charles was watching over him from above and that they would meet again someday.
He resumed his acting career and appeared in several films and TV shows before his own death in 2004. He died of a heart attack at the age of 64. He is buried next to Charles Gillan Jr at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles.
Conclusion
Charles Gillan Jr was a talented television set designer and architect who died of bone disease in 2002. He was the partner of Paul Winfield, a famous actor and civil rights activist who died two years later. Their love story was one of courage, devotion, and tragedy. They left behind a legacy of artistry, activism, and inspiration for many people.
