Mandela Award-winning actor Jamie Bartlett tragically dies aged 55 after a brilliant career

Mandela actor Jamie Bartlett has died aged 55, a family member has announced

Mandela’s star Jamie Bartlett has tragically passed away at the age of 55, it was announced on Tuesday.

His death was confirmed to South Africa’s eNCA by a family member.

No cause of death has been revealed.

South African actor known for his roles as the evil puppeteer boss, David Genaro in Rhythm City and Mike O’Reilly in Isidingo.

Jamie played James Gregory in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, opposite Idris Elba. The film is based on the 1994 book, written by Nelson Mandelaformer president of South Africa.

Praises began to pour in for the screen star after news of his death broke.

One fan wrote: “This is terrible news. Rest in peace #JamieBartlett,” while another added: “Super sad about Jamie Bartlett.”

A third fan said: “RIP Jamie Bartlett. You played the villain with such bold acting, at its best. You’ll be missed.”

“Legend Jamie Bartlett, condolences to the family,” another said.

Jamie’s film career began in 1987 with the action film American Ninja 2.

He went on to star in American Ninja 5 in 1993, where he co-starred with Michael Dudikoff and Steve James.

In 2003, he had a supporting role in Angelina Jolie’s romance Beyond Borders.

Undoubtedly a prominent figure on screen, Jamie has enjoyed a successful theatrical career.

Most of his theater work took place at the Market Theater because of his close ties to the building during the apartheid era.

The theater was internationally known as South Africa’s “Struggling Theater” and it challenged the apartheid regime.

In 1997, Bartlett won the Vita Best Actor Award at the theater for his role in the film Mojo.

He returned more than a decade later for the show Death of a Colonialist, taking on the lead role as history teacher Harold Smith.

Jamie won the 2010 Naledi Theater Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Lead Role.

Bartlett was previously married to Generations actress Camilla Waldman.

Together, the couple welcomed a son, Hector, and later divorced.