AN ACTOR who grew up in Penarth and was so successful that he landed roles alongside the likes of Tom Hanks and Michael Fassbender, has died at the age of just 58.

Ronan Vibert was born in Cambridge and lived in Penarth until he was 18, before joining the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Mr Vibert landed roles in popular TV series including Lovejoy, Jeeves and Wooster, Midsomer Murders, Poirot, Penny Dreadful and Waking The Dead.

Among the films he featured in were the Oscar-winning The Pianist directed by Roman Polanski, Tomb Raider 2, Tristan and Isolde, and The Snowman.

Mr Vibert shared the screen with some major stars including Kevin Costner and Bill Paxton in Hatfields and McCoys, with John Malkovich and Willem Dafoe in Shadow of the Vampire, Michael Fassbender, and Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson in Saving Mr Banks, in which he portrayed the publisher Diarmuid Russell.

Kathy Burke, of French and Saunders and Harry Enfield fame, said: “Just heard about the death of lovely, Ronan.

"We first worked together at Manchester Royal Exchange back in the 80’s. We had great times. Our favourite was seeing The Pogues, Glasgow Barrowlands on Paddy’s night. Oh, how we jumped.”

Jason Watkins, who’s appeared in James Bond and The Crown, said, “So sad that my friend has died. Numb. The youngest in our year at RADA London. He was unique.”

Richard E Grant commented, “Woke up to the shocking news that my friend and fellow actor Ronan Vibert has died. We first worked together in The Scarlet Pimpernel at the end of the last century.”

Mr Vibert was also a prominent stage actor starring in plays at, Hampstead Theatre, the Manchester Royal Exchange, Bristol Old Vic, The Barbican, The Almeida and The Savoy West End.

The Hollywood Reporter quoted his manager saying Mr Vibert died last Thursday, December 22, at a Florida hospital after a brief illness, the nature of which has not been specified.

He leaves his wife, Jess.