Tim Roth went through the one thing all parents dread – saying goodbye to his child too early. In 2022, his son Cormac Roth died at the age of 25 following a cancer diagnosis.
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Despite the tragedy, Tim Roth upheld a commitment he had made before his son became ill. This role would bring back some very hard feelings for the actor, but he powered through. Roth opened up about the difficulty of the film and how the cast and crew were there to support him.
Cormac Roth died in 2022
Cormac Roth was a musician. As per The Guardian, in November 2021, he was diagnosed with stage 3 germ cell cancer, also known as choriocarcinoma. Like many who live in the spotlight while battling health issues, Cormac was also open about his diagnosis.
Speaking about his experience, he revealed that the cancer had caused severe hearing loss, and he lost 60 lbs in weight, along with his confidence. He wrote in an Instagram post:
Life is short. It is chaos. And you never know when it’s going to be you. Be well and go to the doctor. F**k cancer.
In Cormac’s last Instagram post, he shared a video thanking his fans for their ongoing support.
You don’t always get to choose your destiny. You don’t always get to choose your future.
Cormac Roth died on October 16, 2022, less than a year after his cancer diagnosis. He left behind his father, Tim Roth, who had to film a part where a father lost his son.
Tim Roth upheld his commitment
Indeed, Tim Roth took on a role in a film where a father loses his son. As per Deadline, Roth accepted the part before his son was diagnosed with cancer. The film in question was Poison, where a couple met up years after their son’s death, which caused them to separate.
Cormac received his diagnosis in November 2021, and Tim began filming in the Netherlands and Luxembourg in early 2022. Tim revealed that he had talked to his son about the role, saying that it felt like ‘an important piece to do.’
I talked to Cormac about it. It felt like it was an important piece to do, and these things can help you in a way, although nothing prepares you.
Tim added that doing the film felt ‘very positive’ and they still held out hope that Cormac would pull through.
It felt very positive at that time… to be working on something so emotive and also going through such an emotionally difficult time… we still had hope that we wouldn’t lose him.
Despite the emotional toll of having a son with cancer, Tim Roth revealed that the film crew were very supportive and had created a ‘safe space’ for him.
It was a very, very, very difficult time in our lives as a family, but I was in very good hands with the director and DP.
Speaking about Trine Dyrholm, his co-star, Roth admitted that she helped him ‘through some tough days’ thanks to her sense of humour.
His son passed away a few months after the shoot ended.
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Sources used:
The Guardian: ‘Cormac Roth, musician and son of Tim Roth, dies aged 25’
Deadline: ‘Tim Roth & Trine Dyrholm Reflect On Emotionally Charged Shoot For ‘Poison’ About A Couple Who Lost A Son – Munich Film Festival’