Alex Giannini, ‘Legend’ Actor, Dies at 52

Actor Alex Giannini, who is featured in the film Legend, died on Friday of natural causes, his agent announced on Twitter. He was 52.

Giannini’s agent, Felix de Wolfe, tweeted: “The talented and much loved actor @GianniniAlex died suddenly of natural causes yesterday. An incredible life force has left the building.”

The talented and much loved actor @GianniniAlex died suddenly of natural causes yesterday. An incredible life force has left the building.

— Felix de Wolfe (@felixdewolfe) October 3, 2015

Giannini died an hour before he was set to take the stage in Mack & Mabel in Plymouth, England, on Friday night. The show was canceled shortly before the curtain was scheduled to rise.

Theater Royal Plymouth addressed the cancellation on their Facebook page saying, “Following last night’s announcement we can confirm that all remaining performances of Mack & Mabel will go ahead as scheduled. Thank you to everyone who was affected by last night’s cancellation, for your patience and understanding.”

Giannini will appear opposite Tom Hardy in Legend ( the film follows notorious British mobsters twins Ronald and Reginald Kray) as gangster Antonio Caponigro, aka Tony Bananas. The film opens in theaters on Nov. 20.

The actor played a Spanish officer in Cate Blanchett‘s Elizabeth: The Golden Age and was featured in the television show Dalziel and Pascoe. Giannini, however, spent most of his career in theater, with credits in Oh What a Lovely War and Batman Live. 

A representative did not immediately respond to The Hollywood Reporter‘s request for comment. 

Actors who worked with Giannini throughout his career reacted to his death on Twitter. Read the tweets below. 

 

RIP @Alex Giannini who was an excellent Mr Baumann in Mack and Mabel http://t.co/HdNTs7dZF9 pic.twitter.com/9mDltvi6og

— Musical Theatre News (@TheatreSpy) October 3, 2015

So so sad to hear about the amazing Alex Giannini. I had the honour of working with him this year & completely adored him. RIP darling man

— Amy Beadel (@amy_bea) October 3, 2015

Terrible news about lovely Alex Giannini RIP.Thoughts are with his loved ones & all @MackandMabeluk :night night Rooster from Drake x #Annie

— Hugh Sachs (@HughSachs) October 3, 2015

It is with deepest regret that we can confirm that Alex Giannini, a much loved member of our company, passed away yesterday, Fri 2 Oct.

— Mack & Mabel (@MackandMabelUK) October 3, 2015

I shall raise a large glass of red to you this evening … A true gent #AlexGiannini #RIP pic.twitter.com/5FHaysOp0E

— Wendi Peters (@WendiPeters) October 3, 2015