Former gangster turned actor Dave Courtney dies aged 64

23 October, 2023

Actor Dave Courtney

Tributes have been paid to former gangster turned actor Dave Courtney, who has died aged 64.

The actor, who claimed to be an associate of ’60s gangland criminals the Krays, was found at his home in Plumstead, South East London on Sunday (October 22) after reportedly dying by suicide.

The Metropolitan Police have said his death is currently being treated as unexpected and is under investigation.

His family paid tribute to his “incredible, colourful, rock ‘n’ roll life” and how he had experienced the “pain of both cancer and arthritis in his later years”.

In a statement posted on his Instagram account, the family wrote: “On October 22 2023, Dave made the decision to ‘stop the ride’.

“He had lived an incredible, colourful, rock ‘n’ roll life in which he touched the hearts of so many. The physical pain of living the lifestyle he chose, especially due to the pain of both cancer and arthritis in his later years, became too much.”

Thank you to all those who have brought floral tributes so far. They mean so much to Dave’s family. pic.twitter.com/gAH9LWsP85

— Dave Courtney OBE Official (@davecourtney666) October 23, 2023

Courtney was rumoured to be the inspiration behind Vinnie Jones’s character “Big Chris” in Guy Ritchie’s gangster film Lock, Stock, And Two Smoking Barrels.

Courtney swapped his gangster life to become an author and actor, publishing six books, and starring in a film called Hell To Pay.

“I may have been a bit naughty when I was a young man,” Courtney told BBC London last year. The word gangster is a very historical word. It’s a romantic figure of the past, gangsters, like knights in shining armour, cowboys, pirates, gangsters.

“Today definitely is not the time to try and be a gangster… you’re trying to beat technology and you can’t do that.”