Gordon Reid

The veteran Scottish actor Gordon Reid, who has died aged 64, collapsed on stage while playing Vladimir in Waiting For Godot at the Finborough theatre, London. A much-loved man of the theatre, he always brought a concentration and intensity to his roles that mesmerised audiences. Performance was central to his life. Only days before his death, he told a colleague: "I'm as poor as a church mouse, but I wouldn't ever be anything other than an actor."

Born in Hamilton, near Glasgow, the son of a doctor, Reid went to local schools and then to the Royal Scottish College of Drama, having briefly trained as an accountant. Although he appeared at a number of Scottish theatres, and played many Scottish parts, he was London- based for most of his career.

He was a consummate character actor, although his major roles included Lear, Macbeth, Falstaff and leading parts in modern plays. His career included roles in musicals, films and on television, and he will be especially remembered as Angus, the chemist in Dr Finlay's Casebook, and in series such as Taggart and The Ladykillers.

He also performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company, in Alan Ayckbourn's Scarborough seasons and with many touring and local companies. He was a founder member of the Orange Tree theatre, in Richmond, as well as the Godot Company, which was created earlier this year. He was a familiar radio voice, and a frequent member of the BBC repertory company.

Gordon had an erudite mind, an expansive and convivial sense of humour and a conversational facility that made him the centre of every green room and public house circle. He looked much as an accountant should, although a convivial and very human one.

· Gordon Reid, actor, born September 6 1939; died November 26 2003

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