Veteran actor Lee Nam-hee dies at age 64 after four decades on stage, in cinema
Published: 23 Apr. 2026, 11:28
Updated: 23 Apr. 2026, 17:53
![Actor Lee Nam-hee during a press rehearsal for the play “John Gabriel Borkman” at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, on March 13, 2024. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN THEATRE]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/04/23/bbda9c10-f04d-4906-9af4-cc370ccb34c3.jpg)
Actor Lee Nam-hee during a press rehearsal for the play “John Gabriel Borkman” at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, on March 13, 2024. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN THEATRE]
Actor Lee Nam-hee, a veteran actor whose career on the stage and in cinema spanned more than four decades, has died at the age of 64, his family said on Thursday.
Lee died at around 5 p.m. the previous day after battling a long illness, according to his family.
Born in 1962, Lee made his debut in the play “Antigone” in 1983 and went on to appear in local productions of “Othello” (2009), “Urfaust” (2011) and “Death of a Salesman” (2016). Over the years, he became known for his commanding stage presence and consistent dedication to theater.
In 2024, he appeared as the title character in “John,” the Seoul Metropolitan Theatre’s adaptation of the Swedish play “John Gabriel Borkman,” earning praise for his forceful and nuanced portrayal.
Lee received multiple acting honors throughout his career, including from the Korea Theater Association in 1988, K-Theater Awards in 2011 and Donga Theater Awards in 2012.
Beyond the stage, he also appeared in films such as “The Priests” (2015) and “Steel Rain 2: Summit” (2020), as well as the television series “Six Flying Dragons” (2015-16), demonstrating a wide-ranging career across mediums.
He had continued to prepare for performances until recently, his family said, underscoring his enduring commitment to the arts.
Lee’s memorial altar has been set up at Severance Hospital in Seoul. His funeral ceremony is scheduled for Friday, with cremation and burial rites to follow at Seoul Municipal Crematorium.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY JEONG HYE-JEONG [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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