Karl Shiels, star of 'Peaky Blinders' and 'Fair City,' dead at 47, reports say
Karl Shiels, who was best known for his role in the TV series "Peaky Blinders," has died at 47, according to The Sun and RTÉ.
Shiels died Sunday, his agent Lisa Richards told the news outlets. The actor also appeared in the Irish TV show "Fair City."
"Karl was a uniquely talented individual, simultaneously intense, lighthearted, funny, sharp witted, outspoken and intensely powerful as an actor, director and artistic director of the Theatre Upstairs – where he was such a support and mentor for young writers, actors and directors – and of his own company Semper Fi before that," Richards' agency said in a statement provided to the news outlets and shared on Twitter.
The statement continued, "Our hearts are broken but today our thoughts are with his partner Laura and his family, his children and their mother Dearbhla and his many close friends among whom we count ourselves lucky to have been for so many years."
Shiels’ cause of death is unknown per the news outlets. USA TODAY has reached out to his rep for comment.
Friends and colleagues were quick to react to the star's death, including "Fair City" co-star Eric Lalor, who paid tribute to Shiels on social media.
"Absolutely stunned and heartbroken to hear of the death of Karl Shiels. A hugely gifted actor and a really great friend, I will miss him so much," Lalor tweeted. "Thinking of his gorgeous family, may he Rest In Peace"
Absolutely stunned and heartbroken to hear of the death of Karl Shiels. A hugely gifted actor and a really great friend, I will miss him so much. Thinking of his gorgeous family, may he Rest In Peace 💔
— Eric Lalor (@ericlalor) July 15, 2019
Actor Aonghus Óg McAnally also tweeted his thoughts.
"For those of us waking up this morning saying we'd give anything to spend another hour in the company of the great @KarlShiels, I hope this goes some way to filling that void," he tweeted. "We'll miss you Karlo. Onwards."
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Karl Shiels, 'Peaky Blinders' star, dead at 47, reports say
