Scottish actor Donald Douglas, known for his role as Admiral Darcy in the Bridget Jones films, has died in hospital in Albi, France at the age of 92 following a short illness. His family confirmed in an obituary notice posted online by a funeral home, which read: “Dear family and friends, it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Donald Douglas on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, in Albi.” They also shared a link to give people the opportunity to plant a memorial tree in his honour.
His friend Merideth Wheeler paid touching tribute to the star posting a video on YouTube featuring the actor in his day to day life and various roles. Captioning it she penned: “Donald was talented in so many ways apart from acting and performing. A playful and gifted artist, he worked with all kinds of media, from sculpture to paint. He was an expert in ceramic restoration. He laid a beautiful table and was a fabulous cook. It was a joy to attend a meal at his beautiful home with his partner, Emma Temple. He was a great equestrian along with Emma and loved his dogs. His gardening was stunning as the montage illustrates. He had an impish sense of humour and a generous heart.”
As the news became public tributes flooded in for the star. Writing on X one fan penned: “A fine actor with many credits to his name like Doctor Who, Poldark, Blake’s 7, The Avengers, Taggart, the Bridget Jones movies etc, looks like he was also a painter and sculptor. RIP”
Over on YouTube fans reacted to the clip posted by Merideth. “This is the tribute so beautiful and precious and pretty that it is enough to make a grown man cry rest in peace to Donald Douglas,” one commented.
Another chimed in: “A beautiful tribute. He will be much missed – such a lovely man.”
Someone else added: “This is the tribute so beautiful and precious and pretty that it is enough to make a grown man cry rest in peace to Donald Douglas.”
Alongside his role as the father of Mark Darcy (played by Colin Firth) in the first three Bridget Jones films Donald enjoyed an illustrious career. He played Lord Kemsley in the 1989 biopic of James Bond creator Ian Fleming called Goldeneye. He also appeared opposite the fourth Doctor Tom Baker in the Doctor Who story The Sontaran Experiment in 1972.
He played Captain Malcolm MacNeil in Poldark in 1975 and it led to a lifelong friendship with Robin Ellis, who played Captain Ross Poldark. The pair even lived near each other in southwestern France.
Notable big screen outings include 1975’s A Bridge Too Far and 2000’s Highlander: Endgame.
He is survived by his wife Emma Temple, and three daughters – Amy, Liza and Jodie – and five grandchildren.
