Tributes pour in for promising young actor found dead in Cambodia

Acclaimed young British actor Tommy Vine – whose real name was Thomas Hare – has been found dead in Cambodia at the age of 25.

Vine went missing on Thursday (14 March 2013) after reportedly being spotted swimming in the Mekong River in Kampot Province.

Originally from Bristol, he trained at the Arts Educational school in west London and went on to appear in TV shows including Casualty and A Touch Of Cloth as well as myriad stage productions.

A statement on the Royal Exchange’s website, where he appeared in productions of A Beautiful Thing and The Country Wife, said: “Tommy made a considerable contribution to the Royal Exchange over the last two years… He was a brave and beautiful actor.

“His love of life, sense of fun and unique character shone out in everything he did both on and off stage. We will all miss him and our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”

Tributes have flooded in on social media over the weekend. Beautiful Thing writer Jonathan Harvey tweeted: “Such devastating news. RIP Tommy… Lovely human being.”

Whatsonstage.com North West editor Glenn Meads added: “Loved Beautiful Thing last year and one of the reasons was the wonderful actor Tommy Vine. So sad to hear he has died.”