Robert Oliver Reed (13 February 1938 – 2 May 1999) was an English actor who starred in a variety of horror films. His most well-known films include The Trap, Oliver!, Women in Love, Hannibal Brooks, The Devils, The Three Musketeers, Tommy, Castaway and Lion of the Desert.
In his prime, he was Britain's most famous film star and a regular on the silver screen. But his fame began to fade as he became more known for his off-screen antics than his on-screen performances.
He also made a number of booze-soaked TV appearances in the 1980s, including 'Sin on Saturday', which featured him drinking and saying things that would be considered very inappropriate now. And in the years after his death, Reed's popularity fell even further as he was seen less and less on the big screen.
His off-screen antics weren't the only reason that he didn't make it as a film star. He was also known for his macho image in "tough guy" roles and as a drinker who couldn't stay sober.
When Reed was filming Gladiator in Malta, he had made a number of promises to director Ridley Scott that he wouldn't drink during the filming process. However, on 2 May 1999 he collapsed and died. He had been on shore leave from HMS Cumberland, and according to witnesses he had drank eight pints of beer, half a bottle of rum and a few shots of Hennessy cognac.
