Dave Legeno (12 October 1963 – 6 July 2014) was a British actor, mixed martial artist, and professional wrestler.

Dave Legeno
Born
David Steven Murray

(1963-10-12)12 October 1963
Marylebone, London, England
Died6 July 2014(2014-07-06) (aged 50)
Occupation(s)Actor, mixed martial artist
Years active1994–2014
Spouse
Angel Legeno
(m. 1984; div. 2007)
Children1

Early life

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Legeno was born David Steven Murray in Marylebone, London, England.[1]

Career

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Legeno's first major film role was in Guy Ritchie's Snatch. He had roles in Batman Begins, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Centurion, and Last Knights. Most notably, Legeno played the werewolf Fenrir Greyback in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, and Part 2.[2]

Legeno voiced and motion-captured for the video game The Getaway: Black Monday as a protagonist, Eddie O'Connor. He was trained in various combat styles, including boxing, wrestling, judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai.[3]

He also was a professional wrestler as Lone Wolf for the British Wrestling Federation from 1991 to 1992.

Death

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Legeno's body was found by a pair of hikers on 6 July 2014 in Death Valley, California, United States. Due to the remoteness of the area, a helicopter was called in to retrieve his remains. Legeno died of heat-related health problems and may have been dead for three to four days before his body was discovered. No foul play was suspected.[4][5][6]

A memorial evening took place in London on 12 October 2014, which would have been Legeno's 51st birthday. It was held at Camden Underworld, the venue where Legeno had held his album launch in 2004. The memorial was attended by fellow cast members of Harry Potter and Snatch, as well as by friends from the mixed martial arts community and music industry. Actors Tom Felton and Nick Moran and Cage Rage founder, Dave O'Donnell, spoke about Legeno, and his favourite songs were performed live.

The film Last Knights was dedicated to his honour.

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1994–2003 The Bill Biker / Pete Wilson / Man at Boxing Match 3 episodes
2000 Snatch John
Hope and Glory Royston Warrior 1 episode
2003 Ed Stone Is Dead Muscle Guy Episode: "Hi Honey, I'm Dead"
2004 The Getaway: Black Monday Eddie O'Connor Video game
2004–2005 EastEnders Tudor 2 episodes
2005 Batman Begins League of Shadows Warrior #4
The Last Detective Justin Episode: "Three Steps to Hendon"
2006 The Dealer Bolt
Rollin' with the Nines Carl
Stormbreaker Bear
2007 Outlaw Ian Furlong
Roman's Empire Gangster 1 episode
Rise of the Footsoldier Big John
Elizabeth: The Golden Age Executioner
Emmerdale Seamus Flint 1 episode
2008 The Cottage The Farmer
2009 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Fenrir Greyback
Command Performance Oleg Kazov
The Fixer Marty 1 episode
44 Inch Chest Brighton Billy Uncredited
2010 Centurion Vortix
Lennon Naked Les TV movie
Dead Cert Yuvesky
Bonded by Blood Jack Whomes
Spooks Gilles Rigaut 1 episode
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 Fenrir Greyback
2011 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2
The Incident J.B.
Big Fat Gypsy Gangster Gypsy Dave
Great Expectations Borrit 1 episode
2011–2014 Borgia Guidebaldo de Montefeltro 4 episodes
2012 The Raven Percy
Titanic Seaman Davis 1 episode
Snow White and the Huntsman Broch
2013 Ripper Street George Episode "The King Came Calling"
2015 Sword of Vengeance Osgar Posthumous release
Last Knights Olaf Posthumous release, final acting role

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
7 matches 4 wins 3 losses
By knockout 1 1
By submission 2 2
By decision 1 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 4–3 Herb Dean TKO (eye injury) Cage Rage 22 14 July 2007 1 5:00 London, England
Win 3–3 Dan Severn Decision (unanimous) Cage Rage 20 10 February 2007 3 5:00 London, England
Win 2–3 Alan Murdock Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Rage 19 9 December 2006 1 4:10 London, England
Win 1–3 Kimo Leopoldo Submission (guillotine choke) Cage Rage 18 30 September 2006 1 3:21 London, England
Loss 0–3 Mark Epstein KO (punches) Cage Rage 17 1 July 2006 1 0:45 London, England
Loss 0–2 Ikuhisa Minowa Submission (achilles lock) Cage Rage 15 4 February 2006 1 2:21 London, England
Loss 0–1 Alan Murdock Submission (armbar) Cage Rage 14 3 December 2005 1 4:07 London, England

References

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  1. ^ Simon, Yara (11 July 2014). "'Harry Potter' Fenrir Greyback Actor Dave Legeno Dies Hiking in Death Valley". Latin Post. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  2. ^ "Actor ('Harry Potter,' 'Snatch') And MMA Fighter Dave Legeno Found Dead In California". 11 July 2014.
  3. ^ "60 SECONDS: Dave Legeno". Metro. 7 December 2006. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  4. ^ Emery, Debbie (11 July 2014). "'Harry Potter' Actor Dave Legeno Dies at 50". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  5. ^ "Harry Potter actor Dave Legeno dead in Death Valley". BBC News. 11 July 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  6. ^ "'Harry Potter' actor Dave Legeno dies of heatstroke in Death Valley". Chicago Sun-Times. 11 July 2014. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
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