Actor Leonard Fenton, best known for his role as Doctor Harold Legg in EastEnders, has died aged 95, his family said.
A statement from his family said: “The family of the actor Leonard Fenton are heartbroken to announce his death at the age of 95 on Saturday January 29. Best known for his role as Dr Legg on EastEnders, Leonard’s acting career spanned more than 60 years.
“He worked in TV and film and his long stage career included time at the National Theatre and most recently the Royal Shakespeare Company. He felt privileged to have worked with some of the greats of the theatre, including Samuel Beckett, Orson Welles and Jonathan Miller.
“His passion for painting and singing pre-dated his acting career and was equally as important to him. He will be missed beyond words by his family. We feel incredibly lucky to have been able to be with him as his health worsened towards the end – a privilege denied to so many during these tough times.”
An EastEnders spokesperson added: “We are deeply saddened to hear that Leonard has passed away. Since appearing in the very first episode of EastEnders, Leonard created a truly iconic character in Doctor Legg who will always be remembered. Our love and thoughts are with Leonard’s family and friends.”
He appeared in a total of 267 episodes of EastEnders.
Fenton was born Leonard Feinstein in the East End of London, where he was raised, the son of Jewish parents with ancestral roots in Eastern Europe (Riga and Lithuania).
He attended Raine Foundation Grammar School from 1937 to 1944. Fenton originally trained to be a civil engineer at King’s College London and during World War II he was conscripted as an army engineer.
He worked in this profession for five years after leaving the army, but eventually decided on a career change.
He took up acting and won a scholarship to attend the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
