Marcus Gilbert, the British actor best known for playing dashing aristocrat Rupert Campbell Black in the 1993 TV adaptation of Riders, has died at the age of 67.
News of his death was shared by a fan page on Facebook, which revealed that Gilbert died on Sunday, January 11, 2026, following a battle with cancer. Fans around the world quickly flooded social media with tributes, remembering both his screen presence and his warmth in real life.
Born in Bristol, Marcus Gilbert began his television career in the early 1980s before landing a role in the Hollywood blockbuster Rambo III in 1988. A year later, he appeared in Doctor Who as King Arthur’s Knight Commander Ancelyn, further boosting his profile with UK audiences.
Gilbert’s biggest breakout came in Riders, based on Jilly Cooper’s bestselling novel, where he became a full-fledged heartthrob. His charisma was so undeniable that he was even considered for the role of James Bond in the late 1980s, though the part ultimately went to Timothy Dalton.
Tributes poured in following the announcement of his death. Comedian Toby Hadoke remembered him as “dashing, charming, and a strong actor with a bit of a twinkle,” while former Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies simply wrote, “Oh that’s sad news.”
Fans echoed similar sentiments, with one writing that Gilbert was “a giant of a man, broad-shouldered, deep-voiced, classically handsome… and yet he wore it all with a knowing wink and a wry smile.”
Beyond television and film, Gilbert enjoyed a prolific career in advertising, appearing in more than 50 commercials. He once joked that overseas ads were especially appealing because “they’d never be seen anyway.”
Gilbert married doctor Homaa Khan-Gilbert in 1992, and the couple had two children, son Maxi and daughter Aaliya. They remained together until her death in 2020.
In later years, the actor found love again with Lysette Anthony, more than two decades after the pair first starred together in a 1990 TV adaptation of A Ghost in Monte Carlo.
Gilbert leaves behind a legacy as a classic leading man, remembered for his talent, charm, and the unmistakable sparkle he brought to every role.
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