Starburst Magazine has learnt of the death of noted cult actor Christopher Malcolm from an undisclosed illness this week. Malcolm was best known to mainstream audiences as Saffy’s father in Absolutely Fabulous, however, he was noted for a number of appearances in TV, film and stage of a cult flavour.

Malcolm originated the role of Brad Majors in Richard O’Brien’s cult stage classic The Rocky Horror Show in 1973. His long-term involvement with the show included directing the production for a number of years and making an appearance in the show’s big screen follow-up Shock Treatment (1981). He also made a memorable appearance in The Empire Strikes Back (1980) as Rogue 2 (“I’ve found them, repeat, I’ve found them”). Christopher Malcolm would later appear in Highlander (1986) as Kirk Mutanas as well as Jennifer Connelly’s father in the David Bowie classic Labyrinth (1987).

He is survived by his wife, daughter and grandchildren.

Starburst would like to pay tribute to a man who enjoyed both mainstream and cult success across many different media.