Barry Lyndon actor Leon Vitali passes away at 74

English actor Leon Vitali passed away on Saturday at the age of 74.

He is most known for his part as Lord Bullingdon in Barry Lyndon: a 1975 period drama about an Irishman - with much of it filmed here in Ireland. The film was written, directed, and produced by Stanley Kubrick, who later took on Vitali as his personal assistant.

In addition to acting, he provided technical support and was Kubrick's right-hand-man throughout the director's creation of his 1980 project The Shining. He then served as a casting director and assistant to the director on Full Metal Jacket and Eyes Wide Shut.

Kubrick's social media team wrote, "It is with the greatest of sadness that we have to tell you that the mainstay of a vast number of Kubrick's films, Leon Vitali, passed away peacefully last night. Our thoughts are with his family and all that knew and loved him."

It is with the greatest of sadness that we have to tell you that the mainstay of a vast number of Kubrick's films, Leon Vitali, passed away peacefully last night. Our thoughts are with his family and all that new and loved him.
26 July 1948 - 20 August 2022 pic.twitter.com/uE0Q1KvQi1

— Stanley Kubrick (@StanleyKubrick) August 21, 2022

To further honour Vitali, Kubrick's account shared a documentary made by Dogwoof about the 30-year-long career and relationship between Vitali and Kubrick.

Remembering Leon Vitali: “Hi Leon, i'm Stanley". And we shook hands. When you shook hands with Stanley , it was warm & gentle. Just like a buzz went through you". @Dogwoof's FILMWORKER is an intimate documentary following Leon's 30 year career with Kubrick is a must watch! pic.twitter.com/CqpSGYxJPG

— Stanley Kubrick (@StanleyKubrick) August 21, 2022

Beyond Vitali's collaboration with Kubrick, he also acted in Super Bitch, Catholics, and 2013's Romeo & Juliet. He worked with filmmaker Todd Field as a technical consultant and an associate producer on In the Bedroom and Little Children, respectively.

Vitali is survived by his three children, Marsha, Vera and Max Vitali.