Theatre Critic and Biographer Sheridan Morley Dies at 65

British theatre critic, journalist and biographer Sheridan Morley has died at the age of 65.

No cause was given for his death, although the BBC reported that Morley passed away in his sleep on Friday, February 16th.

The son of actor Robert Morley - and named after fictional theatre critic Sheridan Whiteside in The Man Who Came to Dinner - Morley started out as a broadcaster and journalist, according to the Associated Press.  He was heard on BBC2's "Late Night Line-Up," Radio 4's "Kaleidoscope," and LWT's "Theatreland" on LWT.  He also wrote for publications including The Evening Standard, The Sunday Telegraph and both the Daily and Sunday Express.

He penned theatrical biographies of such artists as Oscar Wilde, Sybil Thorndike, Gertrude Lawrence, Katharine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers and Dirk Bogarde.  He was also a writer of theatrical entertainments; "Noel and Gertie" concerned his godfather Noel Coward and stage legend Lawrence.  "Asking for Trouble" is the title of his memoirs.

'He had incredible enthusiasm and an encyclopedic knowledge of the performing arts,' said BBC entertainment correspondent Colin Paterson.

Morley is survived by second wife, critic and TV producer Ruth Leon, as well as by their three children.