Overview

• New Oct. 10 features from UK outlets revisit Mike Reid’s life using previously reported material and his memoir rather than presenting new findings.
• Reid rose from 1960s stunt work and 1970s stand-up on The Comedians to iconic status as EastEnders’ Frank Butcher from 1987, later taking a hiatus when a mental-health storyline caused severe anxiety.
• In 1990 his son Mark shot a friend and later died after setting himself on fire, and the family later suffered the cot death of Mark’s daughter as well as the earlier loss of Reid’s first child days after birth.
• A failed investment in Spain reportedly erased much of his savings and left him with very little money by the time he died, also affecting members of his extended family.
• A long-term heavy smoker, he died in Marbella in July 2007 of a suspected heart attack at 67; more than 250 people attended his Essex funeral and the BBC dedicated an EastEnders episode to his memory.