Lewis Collins, the British actor best known for playing the tough, no-nonsense Bodie in the 1970s–80s television series The Professionals, died on 27 November 2013 in Los Angeles at the age of 67. He had been battling cancer for five years. Despite a career that made him a household name in the UK, Collins stepped away from acting in the early 2000s and largely kept his personal life out of the spotlight.
Born in Birkenhead, England, on 27 May 1946, Collins originally trained as a musician before turning to acting. His defining role came in 1977 when he was cast as William “Bodie” Bodie, a hard-edged operative working alongside Martin Shaw’s character Doyle. The show ran for six series and remains a staple of rerun television.
Collins later moved to the United States, where he worked in private business selling computer equipment. He was diagnosed with cancer around 2008 and spent his final years away from the public eye, surrounded by his wife and three sons.
What Was Lewis Collins’ Cause of Death?
- Lewis Collins is best known for his role as Bodie in the 1970s–80s TV series The Professionals.
- He died at age 67 after a five-year battle with oesophageal cancer.
- He was married and had three sons, keeping his family life private.
- His net worth at death is not publicly confirmed, with estimates ranging widely.
- Collins initially trained as a musician before becoming an actor.
- He screen-tested for the role of James Bond but did not get the part.
- After acting, he ran a computer equipment business in the United States.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lewis Collins |
| Born | 27 May 1946, Birkenhead, England |
| Died | 27 November 2013 (age 67), Los Angeles, USA |
| Cause of Death | Oesophageal cancer |
| Spouse | Michelle Larrett (m. 1992) |
| Children | Three sons |
| Notable Role | Bodie in The Professionals (1977–1983) |
| Net Worth | Unknown / not publicly disclosed |
According to multiple reliable sources including BBC News and Wikipedia, Collins died from cancer, specifically oesophageal cancer. The illness was diagnosed in 2008 and he kept the condition private. One unverified report from IMDb suggested he had Alzheimer’s, but that claim is contradicted by all other credible sources and is widely regarded as an error. (IMDb)
What Type of Cancer Did Lewis Collins Have?
Collins had oesophageal cancer. This is confirmed by obituaries published by the BBC and by his biographical entry on Fandom. He was diagnosed around 2008 and fought the disease for approximately five years before passing away at his home in Los Angeles.
When Did Lewis Collins Die?
He died on 27 November 2013 at the age of 67. His body was cremated and his ashes are held in a memorial urn at Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
Who Was Lewis Collins’ Wife?
Collins married Michelle Larrett in 1992. She remained his wife until his death in 2013. The couple shared a private life in the United States after Collins moved there in 2003. Michelle is not known to have given public interviews about her husband, and the family has largely stayed out of the media.
While Collins was a public figure, his wife and children were rarely photographed or mentioned in interviews. No confirmed names of his sons have been published in mainstream sources, and the family’s privacy has been respected by journalists.
How Many Children Did Lewis Collins Have?
Collins and his wife had three sons. Their names are not widely reported; sources such as the BBC and Fandom note the number of children but do not provide names. This consistent lack of detail suggests the family deliberately kept biographical information out of the public domain.
Who Are Lewis Collins’ Sons?
Because Collins kept his family life out of the spotlight, no authoritative source has published the names of his three sons. Some fan sites and social media posts have suggested first names, but these cannot be verified against reliable records. The actor’s decision to shield his children from fame is widely respected.
What Was Lewis Collins’ Net Worth?
No specific net worth figure for Lewis Collins is publicly available. Estimates occasionally appear on unofficial websites, but none are backed by audited financial records or official statements. After leaving acting in 2003, Collins ran a private business in the United States selling computer equipment, which would have provided an income, but the exact value of his estate remains unknown. The BBC and Fandom both list his net worth as not disclosed.
Despite persistent fan curiosity, neither his family nor his representatives have ever released a net worth statement. Any number circulating online should be treated as speculative.
Where Can I Find Lewis Collins’ Last Photo?
There is no widely published “last photo” of Lewis Collins from his final days. The actor withdrew from public life after his cancer diagnosis and did not pose for photographs in the months before his death. The most recent widely circulated image of him is a portrait of him as Bodie from The Professionals, available in the Fandom archive. (Official fansite)
His last screen appearance was in 2002 in an episode of The Bill. He had been cast in the 2013 film 1066 but withdrew in June 2013 due to ill health. No photographs from that period have been released by the production or his family.
Some social media posts claim to show a “last photo” of Collins, but these often misidentify other individuals or use unrelated images. Always cross-check with reputable sources like the BBC or Getty Images.
When Did Key Events in Lewis Collins’ Life Happen?
- 1946 – Born in Birkenhead, Cheshire, England.
- 1960s – Worked as a musician and began acting training.
- 1977–1983 – Starred as Bodie in The Professionals alongside Martin Shaw.
- 1985–2000s – Continued acting in TV and film, including guest roles in The Bill, Casualty and others.
- c. 2008 – Diagnosed with oesophageal cancer.
- 27 Nov 2013 – Died at age 67 in Los Angeles.
What Do We Know for Certain About Lewis Collins?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Lewis Collins died on 27 November 2013 at age 67. | Exact net worth is not publicly known; no authoritative source provides a figure. |
| The cause of death was cancer, specifically oesophageal cancer (confirmed by multiple credible sources). | The names of his wife and sons are not widely published; privacy is respected. |
| He was married to Michelle Larrett and had three sons. | The specific type of cancer was initially reported simply as “cancer” but later clarified as oesophageal. |
| His most famous role was Bodie in The Professionals. | Whether any unreleased interviews or photographs exist remains unknown. |
What Is Lewis Collins’ Legacy?
Lewis Collins remains a beloved figure in British television history, primarily for his portrayal of the tough, no-nonsense Bodie in The Professionals. The show became a cultural landmark of the late 1970s and early 1980s, syndicating worldwide and winning a new generation of fans through reruns on channels like ITV4.
After the series ended, Collins struggled to find roles that matched his iconic image, though he continued acting in smaller productions and guest appearances. His attempt to transition to film included a starring role in Who Dares Wins (1982), a film about the SAS that was reportedly a favourite of then-U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
His death at a relatively young age – 67 – after a private battle with cancer shocked fans. The lack of detailed public information about his illness and family life has kept his legacy somewhat enigmatic. Today, fans continue to honour his memory through social media tributes, such as the Facebook tribute page, and his work remains available on streaming platforms.
What Did the Media Say About Lewis Collins?
“Professionals star Lewis Collins dies aged 67 after a five-year struggle with cancer.”
BBC News (2013)
“An underrated British leading man… Collins made his mark in the 1970s action drama The Professionals.”
IMDb biography
“This would have been the 79th birthday of the wonderful Lewis Collins. He was Bodie. A big hunky macho character with a lovely innocence about him.”
Facebook tribute page
In Summary
Lewis Collins left an indelible mark on British television as Bodie in The Professionals. He died of oesophageal cancer in 2013 at age 67, survived by his wife and three sons. His net worth remains unknown, and his family has maintained privacy about their personal lives. For those interested in other iconic British actors, read the biography of David Jason – Net worth, wife, twin brother and biography, or the story of Dermot Morgan – Biography, Cause of Death, and Father Ted Legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of cancer did Lewis Collins have?
He had oesophageal cancer, as confirmed by multiple sources including his obituaries.
Where was Lewis Collins born?
He was born in Birkenhead, Cheshire, England.
How old was Lewis Collins when he died?
He was 67 years old.
Did Lewis Collins have any other famous roles besides Bodie?
Yes, he appeared in TV shows like The Bill, Casualty, and films such as Who Dares Wins (1982).
Was Lewis Collins married?
Yes, he married Michelle Larrett in 1992 and remained with her until his death.
Did Lewis Collins have children?
He had three sons, whose names are not publicly disclosed.
What was Lewis Collins’ net worth?
No official net worth figure has ever been published; estimates are speculative.
Did Lewis Collins ever screen-test for James Bond?
Yes, he was considered and screen-tested for the role but producer Albert R. Broccoli did not choose him.
Where is Lewis Collins buried?
He was cremated, and his ashes are held in a memorial urn at Green Hills Memorial Park, Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
What was Collins’ last on-screen appearance?
His last screen role was in 2002 in an episode of The Bill.
Jack Thomas Clarke Thompson is a staff writer for PopCultureDaily.co.uk, covering entertainment news, film, television, streaming and celebrity culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Harriet Winslow and Managing Editor Lucas Bennett, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.