Lewis Collins – Death, Family, and Lasting Legacy
Lewis Collins, the English actor who defined a generation of television viewers as the hard-nosed Bodie in the cult series The Professionals, died on 27 November 2013 at the age of 67. His death, after a five-year struggle with cancer, closed a chapter on one of British television’s most iconic on-screen partnerships. But beyond the car chases and tough-guy persona, Collins led a life that included early stardom, a move to America, and a quiet family existence far from the limelight.
Fans who grew up watching him alongside Martin Shaw still remember his cool, no-nonsense screen presence. Yet many questions remain unanswered: What exactly caused his death? Who were the people closest to him? And what happened to his career after the show ended? This article draws on verified sources to provide a clear, fact-based account of his life and legacy.
What Was Lewis Collins’s Cause of Death?
- Collins’s death from cancer at 67 was widely reported by the BBC, The Guardian, and Wikipedia, but the exact type of cancer is not consistently stated in mainstream obituaries.
- Some fan sources and memorial pages suggest lymphoma, but no official confirmation from his family or medical records has been published.
- His theatrical agent described it as a “long and private battle with cancer,” which he fought away from public attention.
- Collins died at his home in Los Angeles, surrounded by his wife and three sons.
- The news prompted an outpouring of grief from fans worldwide, many of whom called him a “hero.”
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lewis Collins |
| Born | 27 May 1946, Birkenhead, England |
| Died | 27 November 2013, Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Age at Death | 67 |
| Cause of Death | Cancer (exact type unconfirmed in major obituaries) |
| Famous Role | Bodie in The Professionals |
| Spouse | Michelle Collins (m. 1990–2013) |
| Children | 3 sons – including Connor, Cameron, and a third (name not publicly listed) |
| Net Worth | Not publicly available (unverified estimates exist) |
Who Was Lewis Collins’s Wife and How Many Children Did He Have?
Marriage to Michelle Larrett
Collins married Michelle Larrett, also known professionally as Michelle Collins, in 1992. The couple met in the United Kingdom and later moved permanently to Los Angeles in the 1990s. According to the BBC, she was at his side when he died.
Three Sons
He and Michelle had three sons. Two of them – Connor and Cameron – are named in public records and fan discussions. The name of the third son has not been confirmed in any authoritative source. After acting offers dried up in the UK, Collins focused on his family and ran a business selling computer equipment in the United States, according to his biography.
The Collins family has kept details about their children largely private. While the BBC and Wikipedia confirm he had three sons, the third child’s name does not appear in any mainstream obituary or public record, which suggests a deliberate choice to maintain privacy.
What Was Lewis Collins’s Net Worth?
No official net worth figure has ever been released for Lewis Collins. Unlike many modern celebrities, his estate did not disclose financial details after his death. Several celebrity net worth websites estimate figures ranging from $1 million to $5 million, but these are entirely unverified and not sourced from Collins’s estate or any public record.
Collins worked consistently for over fifty years, but his career peaked in the late 1970s and early 1980s with The Professionals. After the show ended, he found fewer acting opportunities and eventually moved into business ventures in the United States. According to his biography, at one point he seemed to have “the world at his feet.” Yet no evidence suggests he accumulated significant wealth.
The absence of a verified net worth is common for British actors of his generation who did not transition to Hollywood blockbusters. Any online figure claiming to be Lewis Collins’s net worth should be treated as speculation unless it can be traced to a probate record or a statement from his family.
What Was the Relationship Between Lewis Collins and Martin Shaw?
Collins and Shaw first appeared together in an episode of The New Avengers in 1977 before being cast as the lead duo in The Professionals. The show ran for six years and made them household names in the UK and beyond. Shaw later described their on-screen chemistry as “magic” and acknowledged the “tough four years” they spent making the series.
Off-screen bond
Despite their electric partnership on screen, the two actors did not remain close after the series ended. Shaw pursued a successful stage and screen career, while Collins struggled to find comparable roles. When Collins died, Shaw was performing in 12 Angry Men in London’s West End. He released a short statement saying he was “saddened” by the news. No further public details about their personal relationship have been shared.
Before The Professionals, Collins and Shaw had already worked together on The New Avengers (1977). Their first collaboration likely contributed to the natural rapport they brought to CI5’s Bodie and Doyle. The show remains a benchmark for British action television and continues to attract new fans through reruns on ITV4.
Are There Any Last Known Photos of Lewis Collins?
No single photograph has been officially confirmed as the last known image of Lewis Collins. Getty Images holds photographs of him from various public appearances, the latest dated around 2012. However, none of those images carry a caption identifying them as his final public photo. One Facebook tribute page for the actor simply notes “No photo” in its memorial post, underscoring the lack of a definitive last image.
His final acting role was a small part in the television series The Bill in 2002. After that, he stepped away from the camera entirely. Any photograph circulating online as his “last photo” should be regarded as unverified.
What Were the Key Events in Lewis Collins’s Life?
- – Born in Birkenhead, Cheshire, England.
- – First appears with Martin Shaw in The New Avengers.
- – Stars as Bodie in The Professionals.
- – Plays Captain Peter Skellen in the film Who Dares Wins.
- – Marries Michelle Larrett.
- – Moves to the US, continues acting occasionally, runs a computer equipment business.
- – Diagnosed with cancer (according to later reports).
- – Dies at home in Los Angeles after a five-year illness.
What Is Known and Unknown About Lewis Collins?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| He died of cancer on 27 November 2013. | The exact type of cancer is not stated in major obituaries; some sources mention lymphoma but without official confirmation. |
| He was married to Michelle Larrett and had three sons. | Only two sons’ names (Connor, Cameron) are publicly known; the third son’s name is not confirmed. |
| He played Bodie in The Professionals. | His net worth has never been disclosed; figures online are unverified. |
| He was cremated and his ashes are at Green Hills Memorial Park in California. | No definitive last photograph has been verified. |
Why Did Lewis Collins’s Career Decline After The Professionals?
Unlike his co-star Martin Shaw, Collins was unable to sustain momentum after the series ended in 1983. Acting offers gradually dried up through the 1990s, which contributed to his decision to relocate permanently to the United States. There, he ran a business and focused on raising his family. His final acting attempt was a role in the film 1066, from which he withdrew in June 2013 due to failing health.
The lack of a specific cancer diagnosis in mainstream reporting may have been a deliberate choice by his family to protect his privacy. His agent’s use of the phrase “long and private battle” suggests that Collins preferred to keep his illness out of the public domain.
What Did the Obituaries Say About Lewis Collins?
“British actor Lewis Collins, best known as Bodie in The Professionals, dies aged 67 after a five-year struggle with cancer.”
BBC News, 28 November 2013
“Lewis Collins, who played Bodie in all 57 of the show’s episodes from 1977 and 1983, and who has died aged 67 after suffering from cancer.”
The Guardian obituary, 28 November 2013
“Lewis Collins was an English actor, best known for his career-defining role playing ‘Bodie’ in the late 1970s – early 1980s British television series The Professionals.”
Wikipedia, Lewis Collins page
What Is Lewis Collins’s Lasting Legacy?
Lewis Collins remains an enduring pop culture figure, remembered for his cool, no-nonsense screen presence as Bodie. The Professionals continues to be re-run on ITV4, introducing younger audiences to the series and keeping his memory alive. While his career did not reach the same heights after the show, his impact on British television is secure. For those who grew up watching him, he was more than an actor – he was a symbol of 1980s action television at its finest.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lewis Collins
Did Lewis Collins have any grandchildren?
There is no public information about grandchildren.
What other movies did Lewis Collins star in?
Beyond The Professionals, he appeared in films such as Who Dares Wins (1982), The Great Escape II (1988), and several TV movies.
Where is Lewis Collins buried?
He was cremated and an urn with his ashes is placed at Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
Did Lewis Collins and Martin Shaw remain friends after The Professionals?
They maintained a cordial relationship but did not work together again. Martin Shaw has spoken positively about Collins in interviews.
What was Lewis Collins’s first job?
Before acting, he worked as a drummer and a hairdresser, according to the BBC.
Did Lewis Collins ever test for James Bond?
Yes, he was touted for the role and screen-tested for 007, but producer Barry Norman was not convinced.
How long did Lewis Collins have cancer?
His agent said he had a “five-year struggle with cancer,” meaning he was diagnosed around 2008.
Was Lewis Collins in The Bill?
Yes, his final acting role was in an episode of The Bill in 2002.
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