Harold Pinter dead at 78
Acclaimed British playwright Harold Pinter dies at age of 78
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Thursday, 25, Dec 2008 10:50
Acclaimed British playwright Harold Pinter has died at the age of 78, it has been confirmed
The Nobel prize laureate died on Christmas Eve after losing his battle with cancer.
Pinter, who achieved his major breakthrough with 1959 play The Caretaker, had been diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus in 2002.
The diagnosis left him unable to travel to receive the Nobel prize for literature he was awarded in 2005 in recognition of him being "foremost representative of British drama in the second half of the 20th century".
Speaking to BBC News the corporation's creative director Alan Yentob said: "He was a unique figure in British theatre. He has dominated the theatre scene since the 1950s."
Lady Antonia Fraser told the Guardian: "He was a great, and it was a privilege to live with him for over 33 years. He will never be forgotten."
Pinter was also unable to pick up an honorary degree from the Central School of Speech and Drama in London earlier this month.
Although he achieved his greatest success and recognition with the plays The Birthday Party, Betrayal, The Homecoming and The Servant, Pinter was also noted as a director, actor, poet and political activist.
His left-wing views saw him vociferously oppose British and American foreign policy in the 1990s and this century; with Pinter speaking out against the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
His agent has revealed that a private funeral will be held this week, followed by a memorial open to the public.