Batman and Dunkirk star John Nolan dies at 87 as family confirms news

Olivia Gantzer
Sat, 11 Apr 2026 19:58:29 +0000

British actor John Nolan, who appeared in numerous films directed by his nephew Christopher Nolan and television projects created by his other nephew Jonathan Nolan, has died at the age of 87.

The Stratford-Upon-Avon Herald confirmed his passing on Saturday.

His widow, actress Kim Hartman, paid tribute to the veteran performer, describing him as "a free spirit, who always knew what he wanted and acted on his own terms; the only truly original thinker I think I ever knew."

She added: "Articulate, intelligent and with an anarchic wit, he was always willing to see both sides of an argument."

Ms Hartman also noted that her husband "was also the kindest person I ever knew – and animals loved him too!"

The London-born actor was the younger brother of Brendan Nolan, the late father of the acclaimed filmmaking siblings.

Mr Nolan received his theatrical training at the Drama Centre London before securing an early breakthrough as Romeo alongside Francesca Annis at Richmond Theatre.

He subsequently joined the Royal Court Company and spent two years with the Royal Shakespeare Company, where his performances included Clitus in Julius Caesar and appearances in The Merry Wives of Windsor.

His work with the RSC led to involvement with Trevor Nunn's innovative ensemble at the National Theatre.

During the early 1970s, he achieved wider recognition through television, taking the title role in the BBC adaptation of George Eliot's Daniel Deronda and portraying scientist Geoff Hardcastle in the environmental drama Doomwatch.

He also co-wrote and performed in a Dostoyevsky trilogy for the Bristol New Vic company between 1980 and 1981.

His screen career included multiple collaborations with Christopher Nolan, beginning with the 1998 thriller Following and continuing through the Batman films, where he portrayed Wayne Enterprises board member Douglas Fredericks in both Batman Begins and The Dark Knight Rises opposite Christian Bale.

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He also appeared as a blind veteran in the 2017 war epic Dunkirk.

Perhaps his most substantial role came in the CBS science fiction series Person of Interest, created by Jonathan Nolan, where he joined during the second season as the enigmatic John Greer.

The character, a ruthless former MI6 operative running Decima Technologies and its Samaritan artificial intelligence system, became the show's principal antagonist.

Mr Nolan featured in 28 episodes across four seasons, remaining with the programme until its conclusion in 2016.

His final screen appearance came in the HBO series Dune: Prophecy, where he played the Speaker of the High Council in the science fiction prequel set centuries before Denis Villeneuve's film adaptations.

Beyond his acting career, Mr Nolan dedicated himself to nurturing new talent, working as both a theatre director and lecturer at Stratford College, where he mentored aspiring performers.

His widow described him as "a popular and talented teacher, whether explaining a Shakespeare soliloquy or how to swing a golf club, and was devoted to his family."

Ms Nolan married Kim Hartman, known for her roles in Grange Hill and 'Allo 'Allo!, in 1975.

He is survived by his wife, their children Miranda and Tom, and grandchildren Dylan and Kara.