Lewis Collins Net Worth, Wife, Age, Height, Cause of Death, Career and More

Lewis Collins remains one of British television’s most recognisable action stars. Best known for his role as Bodie in The Professionals, he shaped a generation of crime-drama storytelling with his intensity, charisma, and commitment to realism. More than a performer, he was a trained martial artist, musician, parachutist, and disciplined perfectionist whose complicated career still interests viewers in 2025.

His life story combines working-class beginnings, national fame, international ambitions, military aspirations, and a private battle with illness. This biography presents a fully updated, factual, and SEO-optimised profile covering his early life, career, net worth, family, and lasting contribution to British entertainment.

Quick Facts

Category	Details
Full Name	Lewis Collins
Date of Birth	27 May 1946
Place of Birth	Birkenhead, Cheshire, England
Date of Death	27 November 2013
Age at Death	67
Nationality	British
Education	Birkenhead Institute; London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA)
Occupation	Actor, Producer, Musician, Former Parachutist
Father	Bill Collins (sailor, musician, talent agent)
Mother	Gladys Collins
Spouse	Michele Larrett (married 1992)
Children	Three sons
Known For	Bodie in The Professionals
Estimated Net Worth (2024-adjusted)	£1.5–£2 million (estate-based historical estimate; not earnings)
Years Active	1971–2002
Notable Associates	Martin Shaw, Brian Clemens, George Lazenby, Euston Films

Early Life of Lewis Collins

Lewis Collins was born into a working-class family in Birkenhead. His father, Bill, worked as a sailor and musician before becoming a talent agent, a trajectory that exposed Lewis to entertainment culture early. The family’s modest resources shaped Collins’s determination and gave him a grounded perspective that stayed with him throughout his career.

Collins attended the Birkenhead Institute, a school also attended by Wilfred Owen, and showed talent in music and athletics. Teachers described him as charismatic and physically gifted, though not academically focused. His early jobs ranged from warehouse work to retail positions, typical of young men in Merseyside during the 1960s.

Despite the ordinary beginnings, Collins possessed an unusual drive to excel in multiple disciplines, including music, sport, and later acting. This restlessness defined most of his life decisions.

Music Career and Early Ambitions

Before acting, Collins was immersed in Liverpool’s thriving music culture. He became an accomplished drummer, joining several local bands and briefly performing with The Mojos, a group connected to the influential Merseybeat era.

Music remained an important outlet for him throughout adulthood, and the discipline he learned from rehearsal schedules and live performance helped when he transitioned into acting. Friends later recalled that he approached every craft with precision, often practising for hours at a time.

His time in the music industry gave him confidence on stage and taught him the importance of audience presence—skills that later set him apart in television roles that demanded both swagger and control.

Transition to Acting and LAMDA Training

A shift in interest led Collins toward drama, and he auditioned for the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). He was accepted, marking a dramatic change in his career path. His training was classical, with emphasis on voice, movement, and character discipline.

At LAMDA, Collins studied alongside future British theatre and screen figures, though his rugged, working-class persona contrasted with the more traditional image of drama students. This difference positioned him as a valuable on-screen presence during the 1970s.

After graduation, he began securing television roles. His early appearances included guest spots in Z-Cars, a programme that launched many British acting careers including those of Brian Blessed and James Ellis. His talent for combining physicality with emotional presence quickly became his signature.

Breakthrough: The Professionals (1977–1983)

Collins’s breakthrough came when producer Brian Clemens cast him as Bodie in The Professionals, a bold, adrenaline-driven counter-terrorism drama produced by Euston Films.

The series became one of the UK’s most influential action shows, and Collins’s chemistry with co-star Martin Shaw defined the programme. Their dynamic combined Collins’s intensity with Shaw’s sophistication, creating a partnership audiences found irresistible.

Key Characteristics of Bodie’s Appeal

• A blend of humour and hardness
• Sharp tactical abilities
• Collins’s commitment to realism
• Distinctive charm rooted in his Merseyside upbringing

Collins performed many of his own stunts, a rarity at the time. His martial arts training and interest in weaponry made him one of British TV’s most convincing action stars.

Within a few years, Collins became a household name. Merchandise, interviews, fan magazines, and international syndication cemented his popularity—especially in Europe and Australia. For many viewers, Bodie represented the modern British action hero long before Hollywood adopted similar archetypes.

Popularity, Military Aspirations, and Public Persona

Collins’s public persona closely mirrored his on-screen toughness. He trained rigorously, earning a black belt in karate and undertaking private firearms and tactical courses. His physical discipline became a defining part of his identity.

One of the most discussed events in his life was his attempt to join the Special Air Service (SAS). According to later interviews, he passed several early assessments but was ultimately rejected for being too recognisable. Collins often described the experience as both an honour and a disappointment. His interest in elite military units later informed his performance in the film Who Dares Wins.

Despite the “tough guy” image, colleagues insisted he was courteous, professional, and deeply committed to his craft. His friendships on the set of The Professionals were genuine despite occasional personality differences.

Film Career and International Ambition of Lewis Collins

Collins sought to expand his career beyond British television. His most notable film roles included:

• Who Dares Wins (1982), portraying an SAS officer
• Jack the Ripper (1988), alongside Michael Caine
• The Cuckoo Waltz
• Cluedo: The Mysteries
• Paradise Club

His performance in Who Dares Wins established him as a serious contender for global action roles. The film performed well in international markets, and Collins relocated to Los Angeles to pursue Hollywood opportunities.

Challenges in Hollywood

• Competition with American action heroes
• Difficulty shedding the Bodie image
• Limited roles that matched his physical type and accent

Despite persistent effort, Collins did not secure a major Hollywood breakthrough. However, he remained visible through guest appearances, voice acting, and TV movies throughout the 1990s.

James Bond Speculation

Collins became an unofficial candidate for the role of James Bond in the early 1980s. His audition impressed some producers but concerned others. According to long-standing industry reports, he was perceived as “too aggressive” in screen tests. Although the franchise ultimately moved forward with Timothy Dalton, the speculation cemented Collins’s standing as a serious action contender.

Fans have continued to debate this casting “what if” scenario. Many still argue that Collins possessed the charisma, masculinity, and presence to portray Bond during the Cold War era.

Later Career, Business Interests, and Retreat from Public Life

By the late 1990s, Collins appeared less frequently in film and television. He shifted focus toward voice work and business ventures, preferring entrepreneurial stability over the unpredictable nature of acting.

He also maintained a strong interest in aviation and held a private pilot’s licence. Friends described him as happiest when combining technical skill with personal discipline, whether in flying, martial arts, or military-style training.

During this period, Collins prioritised his family life. He married Michele Larrett in 1992, and the couple welcomed three sons. The family lived primarily in Los Angeles, though Collins retained connections to the UK.

His later years were more private. He acted only occasionally, preferring to step away rather than accept roles that did not interest him artistically.

Illness and Lewis Collins Cause of Death

Collins was diagnosed with cancer in 2008. He kept the diagnosis private, sharing the details only with close friends and family. His retreat from public life during these years was distinct, but it aligned with his preference for privacy.

On 27 November 2013, he died in Los Angeles at the age of 67. News of his death prompted tributes from colleagues, including The Professionals team and actors who admired his discipline and boldness.

His funeral was held in a private ceremony, consistent with the quiet dignity of his later life.

Lewis Collins Net Worth (Estimated 2024–2025 Adjusted)

Because Collins passed away in 2013, modern net worth figures reflect estate-based historical value rather than current income.

Estimated Estate Value: £1.5–£2 million

(based on adjusted property values, residual royalties, and archived career earnings data)

Likely Sources

• Royalties from The Professionals syndication
• Residuals from film and voice work
• Long-term Los Angeles real estate
• Business investments from his years outside acting

Unlike many modern celebrities, Collins maintained financial privacy. However, reasonable industry comparisons from the 1980s-2000s support the estimate.

Personal Life, Marriage, and Family

Collins married Michele Larrett in 1992. Their relationship was rooted in stability rather than celebrity culture, and Collins’s devotion to his family was widely acknowledged.

The couple had three sons, and Collins was known to be heavily involved in their lives. Friends described him as a quiet, hands-on father whose priorities shifted markedly after the birth of his children.

He rarely commented publicly on his family, preferring to shield them from media attention. This decision reflected a broader desire for privacy throughout adulthood.

Lifestyle and Interests

Lewis Collins lived a richly varied life defined by discipline and curiosity. His lifestyle was an unusual blend of physical training, music, aviation, and tactical pursuits.

Major Interests

• Martial arts and combat training
• Aviation and private piloting
• Music performance
• Military history and strategy
• Scuba diving and outdoor activities

His reputation for toughness overshadowed his subtler qualities. Colleagues often recalled his dry humour, generosity, and methodical approach to learning. Whether training with military professionals or mastering a new instrument, he displayed a clear desire to perform with authenticity.

Legacy and Historical Importance

Collins’s legacy is anchored in several key contributions:

Long-Term Achievements

• Redefined the British action hero archetype
• Inspired later TV dramas with realistic stunt work
• Helped The Professionals achieve international cult status
• Maintained a career rooted in authenticity and physical skill

Younger audiences continued to discover his work through television reruns and streaming platforms. His portrayal of Bodie remained a benchmark for chemistry-driven action partnerships, influencing shows that followed.

Collins also left an impact on Britain’s representation of military and tactical roles on screen. His attention to realism helped shape viewer expectations for decades.

Awards and Recognition for Lewis Collins

Although Collins was not a frequent awards recipient, he received several honours throughout his career.

Selected Recognitions

• Multiple international fan awards for The Professionals
• Recognition from British stunt and martial arts communities
• Enduring cult-classic status across Europe and Australia
• Posthumous tributes from Euston Films and former cast members

His influence remains stronger than his awards record suggests. Collins became an icon through presence, authenticity, and originality rather than institutional recognition.

Influence on Pop Culture

Pop culture historians credit Collins with influencing the style and tone of British crime drama. His combination of humour, swagger, and physical force created a template adopted repeatedly in later decades.

Cultural Impact

• Inspired future British action actors
• Reinforced interest in realistic police and military narratives
• Created one of TV’s most recognisable partnerships
• Established a performance style imitated in later series

Collins’s Bodie remains a symbol of late-20th-century British television: bold, gritty, and charismatic.

Final Analysis

Lewis Collins lived a life marked by ambition, discipline, and reinvention. From Merseybeat drummer to international action star, he navigated a demanding industry with resilience and determination. He maintained strong personal values, prioritised his family, and pursued excellence in every craft.

A decade after his death, audiences still revisit his performances, and new generations continue to admire his work. His impact on British television is secure, and his story stands as one of the most compelling in the history of UK action entertainment.

FAQs

What was Lewis Collins best known for?
Lewis Collins was best known for playing Bodie in the hit crime-action series The Professionals.

What was Lewis Collins’ net worth?
Lewis Collins had an estimated estate net worth of around £1.5–£2 million.

Was Lewis Collins considered for James Bond?
Yes, Lewis Collins was considered but ultimately not selected for the role of James Bond.

When did Lewis Collins die?
Lewis Collins died on 27 November 2013 at the age of 67.

Who was Lewis Collins married to?
Lewis Collins was married to Michele Larrett from 1992 until his death.

Did Lewis Collins have children?
Yes, Lewis Collins had three sons.

What illness did Lewis Collins have?
Lewis Collins privately battled cancer, diagnosed around 2008.

Where was Lewis Collins born?
Lewis Collins was born in Birkenhead, Cheshire, England.

What martial arts did Lewis Collins train in?
Lewis Collins trained extensively in karate and earned a black belt.

Did Lewis Collins perform his own stunts?
Yes, Lewis Collins performed many of his own stunts during The Professionals.