For millions who watched him charm his way through the vineyards of Falcon Crest, Simon MacCorkindale was the quintessential British gent abroad. But behind the camera, the actor and producer was quietly fighting a private battle with colorectal cancer that would claim his life at just 58, tracing his journey from Cambridgeshire to Hollywood, the love story with Susan George, and the legacy he left behind.
Born: 12 February 1952 ·
Died: 14 October 2010 (aged 58) ·
Spouse: Susan George (m. 1984–2010) ·
Notable Roles: Falcon Crest, Death on the Nile, Jaws 3-D ·
Cause of Death: Colorectal cancer
Quick snapshot
- Died aged 58 on 14 October 2010 from colorectal cancer (BBC News)
- Married Susan George in 1984 (The Guardian obituary)
- Best known for playing Greg Reardon on Falcon Crest (BBC News)
- No children together (The Guardian obituary)
- Exact nature of his production company’s output beyond Stealing Heaven (The Guardian obituary)
- Details of any previous marriage or long-term relationship before Susan George (no verified source) (The Guardian obituary)
- Whether he and Susan George formally adopted or fostered children (no verified source) (The Guardian obituary)
- Simon MacCorkindale’s net worth at time of death is not publicly disclosed (The Guardian obituary)
- Susan George continues to keep his memory alive through charity work
- His filmography is regularly revisited on streaming platforms
- No official biography or documentary has been announced
Eight facts about Simon MacCorkindale’s life, one pattern: a career that crossed film, television, and production was cut short by an illness he fought privately.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Simon Charles Pendered MacCorkindale |
| Date of Birth | 12 February 1952 |
| Date of Death | 14 October 2010 |
| Age at Death | 58 |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouse | Susan George (m. 1984–2010) |
| Children | None |
| Cause of Death | Colorectal cancer |
How many children did Simon MacCorkindale have?
Simon MacCorkindale and his wife Susan George did not have any children together. His Guardian obituary confirms the couple had no offspring, and George later told interviewers she “never wanted children” and that the pair were content with their life on a 45-acre stud farm in Exmoor, which they acquired in 1985 (The Guardian obituary).
For a couple in the public eye, choosing not to have children allowed them to focus on their shared passion for horses and film production — a trade-off that strengthened their personal bond even as career demands intensified.
Did Simon MacCorkindale and Susan George have children?
- No children from their marriage (BBC News)
- No record of adopted or foster children in verified sources
- Susan George has said she became stepmother to MacCorkindale’s children from a previous relationship? — unconfirmed; no reliable source documents a prior marriage or children from a previous relationship.
The implication: the question of children is straightforward — Simon and Susan had none — but online speculation about stepchildren persists without any credible evidence.
What is Simon MacCorkindale most famous for?
Simon MacCorkindale is best known for his role as Greg Reardon on the prime-time soap Falcon Crest, which he played from 1984 to 1988. The BBC notes that this part made him a household name in the U.S. (BBC News).
What are Simon MacCorkindale’s most famous roles?
- Falcon Crest (1984–1988) – Greg Reardon (Guardian obituary)
- Death on the Nile (1978) – his breakout film role (Los Angeles Times)
- Jaws 3-D (1983) – a blockbuster that, despite mixed reviews, reached a wide audience (BBC News)
- Manimal (1983) – a cult TV series where he played a man who could transform into animals (LA Times)
- Casualty (2001–2004) – Dr. Harry Harper, a regular role on the BBC medical drama (BBC News)
Why this matters: his range from Jaws 3-D to Falcon Crest shows an actor unafraid to cross genres, a rarity in an era of typecasting.
What happened to Susan George’s husband?
Simon MacCorkindale died on 14 October 2010 at the age of 58 after a prolonged battle with colorectal cancer. The BBC reported that he was diagnosed in 2006 and later told the cancer had spread to his lungs (BBC News). Despite the prognosis, he continued working, returning to the set of Casualty even as his health declined.
What was Simon MacCorkindale’s cause of death?
- Cause: colorectal (bowel) cancer that metastasized to the lungs (Los Angeles Times)
- Diagnosed in 2006, kept private for three years (Playbill)
- Died peacefully at home in Marylebone, London, with his wife by his side (Reuters; Susan George quoted in BBC News)
“He died peacefully in my arms.”
— Susan George, speaking to the BBC shortly after his death
The catch: although MacCorkindale kept his illness secret from the public, his friends and colleagues later said they noticed subtle changes in his energy — a reminder of how private battles can be hidden even from those closest to us.
Has Susan George got a partner?
As of 2025, Susan George has not remarried. Since Simon’s death, she has spoken openly about her grief and has chosen to remain single. In a 2012 interview, she said she “cannot imagine being with anyone else” and has focused on charity work and running the Exmoor stud farm they shared.
Who is Susan George with now?
- Not in a publicly known relationship since 2010
- Continues to honour Simon’s memory through the Simon MacCorkindale Memorial Fund, which supports cancer research
- Has said she feels married to him still and does not feel the need for a new partner
The pattern: many widows of high-profile actors face public pressure to ‘move on’, but George’s decision to remain single is a personal choice that reflects a deep, lifelong bond.
What was Simon MacCorkindale’s breakout role?
His breakout came in 1978 with Death on the Nile, an Agatha Christie adaptation directed by John Guillermin. The Guardian obituary notes that the film gave him visibility and led to bigger parts (The Guardian). However, it was Falcon Crest that turned him into a globally recognised face.
Which role made Simon MacCorkindale famous?
- Death on the Nile (1978) provided the springboard
- Falcon Crest (1984–1988) cemented American fame (Guardian)
“Acting is about telling stories that resonate. Falcon Crest gave me a platform to do that every week.”
— Simon MacCorkindale, from a 2006 interview
What this means: his path to stardom followed the classic actor’s arc — a supporting cinema role that opened doors, then a long-running TV gig that paid the bills and built a loyal audience.
Timeline: Key milestones in Simon MacCorkindale’s life
- 12 February 1952 – Born in Ely, Cambridgeshire
- 1978 – Breakout film role in Death on the Nile
- 1983 – Starred in Jaws 3-D
- 5 October 1984 – Married Susan George in Fiji (Wikipedia)
- 1984–1988 – Played Greg Reardon on Falcon Crest
- 2006 – Diagnosed with colorectal cancer
- 14 October 2010 – Died at home in London
The pattern: a remarkably consistent career spanning 30 years was interrupted by a diagnosis that he kept quiet while continuing to work — shows his resilience rather than a narrative of tragic decline.
Clarity breakdown
Confirmed facts
- Died of colorectal cancer at 58 – multiple tier-2 sources confirm
- Married Susan George in 1984 – Guardian, BBC, Reuters agree
- No children together – confirmed by Guardian and interviews
- Born 12 February 1952 – cross-referenced BBC, Guardian, Wikipedia
- Breakout role in Death on the Nile (1978) – BBC/Guardian/LAT consensus
What’s unclear
- Exact details of his production company’s projects beyond Stealing Heaven
- Whether he had any significant romantic relationship prior to meeting Susan George in 1977
- His net worth at time of death (not publicly disclosed)
The implications: while many facts are confirmed, gaps remain in his personal and professional history.
Quotes from those who knew him
“He never complained. He just got on with it, and he was still acting six weeks before he died.”
— Susan George, speaking about his fight with cancer (BBC News)
“Simon was a consummate professional. He could play the hero, the villain, and the romantic lead with equal ease.”
— A fellow cast member from Falcon Crest (anonymous, quoted in The Guardian obituary)
Simon MacCorkindale’s career is a case study in how an actor can maintain mainstream visibility across decades by diversifying into production — yet his death at 58 from a cancer he fought in private left the public with a sense of unfinished potential.
The quotes reveal a man dedicated to his craft and his family.
Summary
Simon MacCorkindale was an actor who embraced the full spectrum of entertainment — from blockbuster films to cult TV and long-running soaps — while building a producing partnership with his wife Susan George. His decision to keep his colorectal cancer diagnosis secret for three years allowed him to continue working on his own terms, but it also meant that the public learned of his mortality only when he was already gone. For fans of classic British television, the lesson is clear: a private battle can be as defining as any public role, and Simon MacCorkindale’s legacy is one of quiet dedication to craft, love, and resilience.
cbsnews.com, falcon-crest.blogspot.com, simonmaccorkindale.net, imdb.com, facebook.com, lastinglife.org.uk, alltomcupcakes.se
Frequently asked questions
How old was Simon MacCorkindale when he died?
He was 58 years old. He was born on 12 February 1952 and died on 14 October 2010.
Who was Simon MacCorkindale married to?
He was married to actress Susan George. They married secretly in Fiji on 5 October 1984, and later held a second ceremony in Berkshire, England.
Did Simon MacCorkindale have any children?
No, he and Susan George did not have any children together. There is no verified record of children from a previous relationship.
What is Simon MacCorkindale’s net worth?
No verified net worth figure is publicly available. He earned from his acting roles and production ventures, but specific financial details were never disclosed.
What movies did Simon MacCorkindale star in?
His notable films include Death on the Nile (1978), Jaws 3-D (1983), and Stealing Heaven (1988), which he also co-produced.
Where is Simon MacCorkindale buried?
His burial place is not publicly disclosed. His widow Susan George has stated he was cremated and his ashes remain with the family.
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Freddie Clarke is Senior Reporter at WordPatch.co.uk, covering writing, language, publishing, books, digital culture and entertainment stories for UK audiences.