Kate Beckinsale Emotionally Announces Death of Stepfather at 87 After 'Brief Period of Illness'
The British actress shared the news of Roy Battersby's death on Instagram Tuesday and said, "I have no words yet"
Kate Beckinsale is mourning the loss of her stepfather Roy Battersby. He was 87.
The actress, 50, announced Battersby’s death on Instagram Tuesday and shared a statement saying he died after “a brief period of illness.”
"It is with great sorrow that the family of film and television director Roy Battersby announce the news of his recent death after a brief period of illness,” the statement posted on Beckinsale’s Instagram Story began.
“He passed away peacefully on 10 January 2024, in Los Angeles surrounded by family, aged 87. Funeral will be held in London, details to follow.”
Beckinsale also shared a video and photo carousel of Battersby, who was married to her mother Judy Loe, alongside a heartfelt caption.
“I have no words yet,” the Underworld star captioned the touching post. “Thank you @katebeckinsale_slovakia2 for making this beautiful thing. I fought for you with everything I had. Oh Roy I am so sorry I lost.”
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The carousel included images of Beckinsale sharing a series of sweet moments with her stepfather, as well as her mom and other loved ones. The video clip also showed Battersby opening up about his life growing up during World War II in the U.K.
He was best known for directing British TV drama series including Inspector Morse, A Touch of Frost and Between The Lines.
Beckinsale’s announcement comes after she shared photos of herself and family members gathered around a hospital bed while still wearing her silver Golden Globes gown on Jan 9.
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“Golden globes 2024 start to end @goldenglobes @cbstv,” she wrote alongside the post, which appeared to show she had rushed straight from presenting an award at the ceremony to the hospital.
In one photo, the British star is seen eating a sandwich with a blanket on her lap, while in another she appears to be scrolling through her phone as she rests the sky-high platform heels she wore at the Golden Globes, on the edge of the hospital bed.
The following day, she posted a single black square to her account.
Back in April, Beckinsale paid tribute to Battersby on his 87th birthday, calling him her “dearest Roy” and “titan of all good things.”
“You are now 87 and truly eminent and up for some ludicrous s--- as well as being world master of Jungian magic and very good at explaining geographical contours to the reluctant,” she captioned the Instagram post. “I love you so much. Happy birthday 🎂it is so lucky for me that you are older than the Pope and yet will wear a bra on your head for emergency fun 💕💕.”
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The month before, Beckinsale remembered her late father Richard Beckinsale, who died suddenly at 31 of a heart attack when she was just 5 years old.
“March 19 1979 …. Some years hit harder than others," she wrote alongside a video compilation of pictures of her father. "Don’t miss a second. Hug your people hard 🖤🖤🖤,”
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