Photo: Mike Marsland / WireImage
After the news of his wife’s death at the age of 52, Billions actor Damian Lewis wrote a tribute to the late Helen McCrory for the Sunday Times, praised her skill as an actress, strength as a partner and mother to their two children Manon and Gulliver, and her unwavering sense of humor, even when undergoing cancer treatment. “Just a few weeks ago, she said to us from her bed, ‘I want Dad to have girlfriends, lots of them, you all have to love again, love is not possessive,’ ‘Lewis recalls. Damian, at least try to get through the funeral without hugging anyone. ” ”
“I have never known anyone who could enjoy life like this. Her ability to be in the present and enjoy the moment was inspiring, ” writes the actor of the prolific stage and film actress, known to many for her excitement Peaky blinders and in the Harry Potter movie franchise. She wasn’t interested in navel gazing either. No real interest in self-reflection; she believed in looking out, not in. That is why she was able to direct her light so clearly to others. “
“I miss her already,” Lewis writes of McCrory, whom he met in 2003 as his castmate Five gold rings at the Almeida Theater in London; the couple married later in 2007. “She has been shining brighter in recent months than you would think even the brightest star could shine. Also in life we had to get up to meet her. But her greatest and most exquisite act of courage and generosity was to “normalize” her death. She showed no fear, no bitterness, no self-pity, just armed us with the courage to carry on and insisted that no one should be sad because she is happy. I am staggered by her. She has been a meteor in our lives. “
The actor also reminisces about a surprising meeting between his wife and actress Lauren Bacall when the latter visited McCrory’s dressing room after a production of Uncle Vanya“Thank you so much, your Sonya moved me to tears,” Bacall reportedly told McCrory. There was an awkward pause. ‘Oh, I’m so sorry. I think you want to have Emily next door – Emily Watson, she played Sonya. Betty was shocked: ‘Oh my god, I’m so sorry!’ Helen retorted, “That’s all right, Mrs. Hepburn. Glad you enjoyed the show. Lauren Bacall threw her head back and laughed and bellowed, ‘You’re my kind of lady. Let’s go out. ‘ And there they went into the night. You can read his essay in full here.