John Stahl dead: Game Of Thrones and Take the High Road actor dies aged 69

GAME Of Thrones actor John Stahl has died aged 69, his agent has confirmed.

The actor played the role of Rickard Karstark in two series of the popular HBO fantasy show.

He was also well known for playing Inveradarroch in the long-running soap opera Take The High Road from 1982 until it ceased production in 2003.

A statement from his agent Amanda Fitzalan Howard described him as “an actor of remarkable skill and a stalwart of Scottish theatre”.

It added: “He died on the Isle of Lewis on March 2nd 2022 and is survived by his wife, Jane Paton.”

Bobby Hain, managing director of broadcast at STV, said: “We’re saddened to hear of the loss of John Stahl, a hugely talented actor who, in his role as Tom ‘Inverdarroch’ Kerr in Take the High Road, was a much-loved presence on STV for over 20 years.

“John’s impressive career took him all the way from Glendarroch to Westeros, and we’re proud that he started that journey by playing, and indeed shaping, one of High Road’s most memorable characters.

“Our thoughts and sympathies are with John’s family.”

Stahl was born in Sauchie in Clackmannanshire and had been living on the Isle of Lewis.

He appeared in numerous theatre productions during his career, including performances at The Royal Shakespeare Company and The National Theatre.

His fellow Take The High Road actor Derek Lord paid tribute to Stahl, recalling their time on set together.

Lord wrote on Twitter: “Sorry to hear my old High Road colleague John Stahl has passed.

“I remember him being upset when some idiot in production decided to drop his character’s name Inverdarroch and use Tom Kerr instead.

“He’ll always be Inverdarroch to me, the only man to best Sneddon in a fair fight.”

Scottish screenwriter Peter May also remembered the actor and recalled how he had recently attended his online wedding.

He said: “Terribly sad to hear that my old friend, John Stahl, has passed. I wrote so many scenes for the character of Inverdarroch that he portrayed in Take The High Road.

“Only recently attended his online wedding. Saw him last in Adelaide Australia for a fun reunion. RIP John.”