Mark Rylance paid tribute to his wife, Claire Van Campen, who… He passed away from cancer at the age of 71 On the actor’s 65th birthday.
The sad news was confirmed by Mark and his daughter Jennifer, with the duo sharing: “Clare Louise van Kampen, Lady Rylance, passed away this morning, Saturday 18 January at 11:47, in the Old Town of Kassel, Germany. Surrounded by her family.
“Wife of architect Christopher Van Campen, and later actor Mark Rylance, Clare was the mother of two girls with Christopher, Natasha Van Campen and Juliet Rylance.
“A pianist, composer and musical director at Shakespeare’s Globe Theater for 20 years under Rylance and then Dominique Dromgoole, a playwright and theater director, she was also one of the funniest and most inspiring women we have ever known.
“Claire died of cancer on Mark Rylance’s 65th birthday. Her youngest daughter died in 2012, leaving behind her eldest daughter, Juliet Rylance, her two husbands, and countless beloved friends in England and America. “
The letter concluded:We thank her for bringing her magic, music, laughter and love into our lives. Ring the bell, blow the trumpets in the daydream, something has happened, something has begun. “One of the great sages has passed away.”
© WireImageDuring her life, Clare was an accomplished music director and director, having joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1986. One of her specialties was composing music for the Tudor period, which led to her being the music director for her husband’s hugely successful series, Wolf Hall. .
The 71-year-old was the first female musical director of the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre. She has served as Director of Theatrical Music at Shakespeare’s Globe Theater since its opening in 1997.
© Movie MagicMark and Claire first met in 1987 during the production of a film The wandering Jew At the National Theatre, where Claire was the musical director and Mark played Agricola.
Claire said as she reflected on the early days of their romance The times In 2015: “I didn’t really notice it until one day when I was playing the piano, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw these gorgeous calves, dancing away. I thought, ‘Oh my God! These are really cool – this is unusual for athletes. And I looked up and it was him!”
© Eric Charbonneau/ShutterstockBefore marrying Mark, Claire was married to architect Chris van Campen, with whom she had two daughters, Juliet Rylance and Natasha van Campen.
Tragedy struck the star in 2012 when Natasha died unexpectedly at the age of 28. The star was on a flight when she died of “unexpected natural causes.”