BBC Red Dwarf icon Charles Augins dies at 81 as tributes flood in for actor
The entertainment world is mourning the loss of Charles Augins, the American-born performer who became a British television icon through his memorable portrayal of Queeg 500 in the BBC’s Red Dwarf.
The 81-year-old passed away on Saturday, July 19, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy in television, theatre and dance.
Augins achieved cult status amongst science fiction enthusiasts for his appearance in the second series of the beloved sitcom, where his character became one of the programme’s most memorable antagonists.
His connection to the show extended beyond acting, as he created the choreography for the famous Tongue Tied routine that became a fan favourite.
The versatile performer, who was born in Virginia in 1943, built a remarkable career spanning multiple disciplines in the performing arts.
Throughout his distinguished career, Augins demonstrated exceptional versatility as a performer and creative artist.
His choreographic talents shone particularly bright when he devised the energetic dance sequence for Tongue Tied, which featured Red Dwarf stars Craig Charles, Chris Barrie and Danny John-Jules performing the now-legendary routine.
Beyond his contributions to Red Dwarf, Augins appeared in several notable productions including Blake’s 7, Labyrinth and The Tall Guy.
His choreographic excellence earned him prestigious recognition, culminating in a Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Choreography in 1991 for his work on Five Guys Named Moe.
The multi-talented artist’s career encompassed extensive musical theatre work, where he excelled as both a vocalist and movement director, establishing himself as a respected figure in British entertainment.
Following the announcement of his death, Courtney Baker Oliver shared an emotional Instagram tribute celebrating Augins as “legendary choreographer, actor and vocalist” who served as one of her most significant mentors.
She revealed that Augins was the first person to champion her directorial ambitions and consistently urged her to embrace greater aspirations and seize opportunities.
Oliver described their relationship as multifaceted, with Augins fulfilling roles as “friend, inspiration, and surrogate father all in one”.
She noted how his presence maintained her connection to his childhood friend Mike Malone, even two decades after Malone’s passing.
“I’m so grateful I had the privilege to be in your life for nearly thirty years. You were magic and you always will be,” Oliver concluded in her heartfelt message.
The Red Dwarf fan club announced the sad news on social media, prompting an outpouring of grief from devoted followers of the series.
Supporters remembered his chess-playing character with particular fondness, with one describing the Queeg episode as containing the “jape of the century”.
“Heartbroken. Queeg is my favourite Red Dwarf episode ever,” wrote one fan, whilst another declared the character “the best ever Red Dwarf villain”.
Another shared: “His face was the first I saw of Red Dwarf, a short VHS taping overlap where Queeg reveals himself as Holly. Even from there I was hooked and wanted to know more about the show. RIP.”
Someone else posted: Legend [crying face emoji] RIP Queeg,” with another adding: “RIP Charles.”
Many expressed surprise upon learning of Augins’ dual role as choreographer, with admirers recalling specific moments from his performance.
The tributes highlighted how Augins’ portrayal left an indelible mark on the programme’s history, with fans sharing memories of his ability to blend comedy with genuine menace in the role.