Tim Roth, the respected English actor and director, has written a moving account of his profound sorrow after the accidental death of his son, Cormac. This tragic incident happened in October of 2022. Sadly, Cormac died this past spring at the age of 25 following a courageous battle with cancer. In the film, Roth reflects on the tragedy in the shadow of his earlier work. His last feature film The War Zone explores the subject of incest and sexual violence. In her personal life and in her work as an artist, this intersection of personal and professional experiences has Roth exploring the complexities of grief.
In 2021, Roth traveled to the Cannes Film Festival with Cormac, where they shared a life-changing moment together. The festival exhibited Roth’s work but more importantly, focused on his son’s blossoming artistic talents. So, as an actor, the inevitable loss that soon follows their on-screen debut together was all the more heartbreaking for Scott.
Roth’s career, now transitioning into its seventh decade, has proven incredibly influential. He’s had high profile roles such as Mr. Orange in Quentin Tarantino’s “Reservoir Dogs” and Sepp Blatter in the 2015 movie “United Passions.” He appeared in Tim Burton’s remake of “Planet of the Apes” and the Sky Atlantic crime drama “Tin Star.” Yet for all his achievement, Roth has stayed humble and honest about his journey thus far.
This is not the first time the filmmaker has expressed a vigorous aversion to viewing his own movies or critic response. Or as writer Jonathan Hickman recently put it to us, “Some projects cover rent…and your agent will say, ‘Here’s a money gig if you need one.’ The other projects are self-driven.” This emphasizes his vision of the film industry as a space where artistic aspiration frequently meets with commercial obligation.
Roth’s first film as director, The War Zone, was an adaptation of the book by Alexander Stuart, and it tackled equally challenging themes. In light of Cormac’s death, he remarked, “The film was actually dealing with something which now is very, very poignant as far as our family is concerned.” This feeling captures the power of art to speak directly to people’s lived reality, particularly in moments of struggle.
As Roth speaks to audiences and continues his journey of life after loss, he understands that grief is an incredibly personal journey. He said there’s no right or wrong way to grieve. Everyone heals in their own way, and if there was a single answer we would have discovered the magic elixir long ago. He believes that no one’s grief experience is the same. Societal pressures regarding what grief should look like often contradict this truth.
Alongside his on-screen and off-stage work, Roth has founded a number of charitable programs and initiatives. He lamented the struggle of friends in overcoming obstacles to enter or depart from the United States during a prevailing wave of political discord. His sentiments are indicative of his larger anxiety over the societal terrain.
Roth is embarking on a compelling new initiative. He’s producing a new “comedyish” feature film on Staten Island, filming the days’ events that led to the Capitol attack on January 6. This endeavor is an example of his multilayered approach to storytelling and combining lightheartedness with the deep end.
Through it all, in his home life and work, Tim Roth finds respite in the creative process. He recalls advice from Cormac: “Make sure you do the things you love.” This guiding principle still rings true for him today, as he works to move through a world that is now forever changed by loss.
The actor’s home in Pasadena narrowly escaped destruction during recent wildfires, a harrowing reminder of nature’s unpredictability amid personal turmoil.
Looking back on the path his life has taken, Roth adds that he’s “the luckiest dog in the world.” He has known profound intimacy and communion, in the face of loss. Creative Process “Sometimes, those experiences end up being the most rewarding,” he said about his work in film. It’s a challenge to put forth the optimal solution each time, even when you don’t feel like doing it. This worldview perfectly depicts his dedication to staying true to himself in an industry with an enormous tendency to sell out.
While Tim Roth’s journey involves confronting loss and acknowledging complex emotions, his reflections offer insight into resilience and the power of storytelling. He understands that grief is not a straight line and that moving through it takes both time and patience.
“None of us quite understand it. I don’t think he does. Until something actually happens we don’t know how to react.” – Tim Roth