Mel Smith, beloved actor, comedian, and director, died at the age of 60 on July 19th, 2013. Throughout his career, Mel Smith was renowned for his quick wit, onscreen presence, and bold comedic style. He started out as a writer and performer for the BBC Radio satire show "The Burkiss Way", and then transitioned to television work appearing in sketch comedy show "Not the Nine O'Clock News". In 1985, Mel Smith co-founded the production company Talkback Productions with fellow producer and friend Griff Rhys Jones which went on to produce a number of major productions, including the long-running sketch show "Smith & Jones" which starred Smith and Rhys Jones. Smith was also an accomplished film director, directing the highly-successful "Bean" film series which starred Rowan Atkinson, while also starring in a number of films himself. In his personal life, Mel Smith had a partner, Pam (nee Cooke), since 1986, with whom he lived in a large North London home. He is survived by his partner Pam, two children, and a wide circle of friends and colleagues. He will be deeply missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to have known him.