British actor Simon Fisher-Becker, recognized for his roles in “Harry Potter” and “Doctor Who,” has died at 63. His death on March 9, 2025, was confirmed by his manager, Kim Barry of Jaffrey Management, as well as by his husband, Tony Dugdale.
“Today I lost not only a client in Simon Fisher-Becker, but a close personal friend of 15 years standing,” Barry told The Post in a statement.
Fisher-Becker was widely known for his portrayal of the Fat Friar ghost in the 2001 film “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” In the film, his character was the ghost of Hufflepuff House, known as “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” in the UK.
Barry praised the actor’s diverse skills beyond acting, noting he was also a writer and a skilled public speaker.
Tony Dugdale confirmed the news via a post on Fisher-Becker’s Facebook page.
Born on November 25, 1961, in London, England, Fisher-Becker built a varied acting career across stage, television, and film. While his role as the Fat Friar in the first Harry Potter film brought him international recognition, he was equally known for playing Dorium Maldovar in the BBC’s “Doctor Who” series, appearing in Seasons 5 and 6.
His portrayal of Dorium Maldovar extended beyond the television series. In 2018 and 2021, he revisited the role in audio dramas, including “Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor Chronicles” and “Jenny—The Doctor’s Daughter,” continuing his association with the popular franchise.
Fisher-Becker’s talents extended to numerous other British television productions. He played Tony Fazackerley in the 2014 BBC comedy series “Puppy Love.” His extensive television work included appearances in classic British shows such as “One Foot in the Grave,” “The Bill,” “Love Soup,” “Afterlife,” “Doctors,” and “Getting On.”
His film career featured a role in the 2012 Oscar-winning film “Les Misérables” as part of the ensemble cast. Other film roles included “Arrivederci Millwall,” “Beg!,” “Sweet Thing,” and most recently, the 2023 thriller “Disaster Dates 2.”
According to his IMDb profile, Fisher-Becker described himself as a character actor with a strength in comedy and comfort with drama. His extensive experience spanned the entire entertainment industry spectrum, from Shakespeare to pantomime, and included work in film, television, radio, and web series.
Apart from acting, Fisher-Becker developed and performed his solo shows and was active as a motivational speaker. His IMDb profile mentioned that he “could conduct a full Symphony and Choir,” illustrating his wide-ranging talents.
Fisher-Becker had several projects ongoing at the time of his death. These included roles in the comedy-drama “Henry House,” the TV movie “Humber City: The Rising Tide,” and the films “Welcome to Paradise” and “The Director,” indicating that his career remained active until his passing.
The news of Fisher-Becker’s death prompted tributes from colleagues and fans alike. Dominic G. Martin, a fellow actor, remembered him as a “legend” in the “Doctor Who” fan community. Martin noted that friends who had worked with Fisher-Becker spoke highly of his character, emphasizing his positive impact on those around him.
Big Finish Productions, the company responsible for producing the “Doctor Who” audio dramas in which Fisher-Becker participated, also expressed its condolences, recognizing his contribution to expanding the Doctor Who universe beyond television.
While Fisher-Becker’s passing has left a void in the British entertainment industry and among fans of the franchises he contributed to, his legacy lives on through his memorable performances across various media formats. No cause of death has been disclosed at this time.