British movie icon died penniless as devastated wife left nothing

A British movie icon died without a penny to his name, leaving his wife and daughter with nothing. Gangster-turned-actor Dave Courtney, who appeared in everything from Clubbing to Death to Gatwick Gangsters over the course of his film career, didn't leave a will and died with no money to his name.

Dave - who is said to be the inspiration behind Vinny Jones' iconic character Big Chris in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, began his career as an associate of the Kray twins, but was only nine years old when Reggie Kray was imprisoned. He claimed to have been shot, had his nose bitten off and to have killed in an attempt to save his own life.

Over the years he was arrested several times - charged in 2009 with possession of a prohibited weapon, and in 2004 was cleared after being accused of beating his partner after a row.

But in 2023, Dave was found dead after having shot himself at the age of just 64 after struggling with an arthritis diagnosis. More than a decade earlier, in 2009, he had filed for bankruptcy - owing £400,000 to creditors, which included £250,000 of taxes.

Now a letter of administration has been filed at London's High Court, after it was revealed he died without a will.

According to The Sun, the registrar wrote: "The application has stated that the gross value of the estate in the UK amounts to £0."

His wife, Jenny Bean, was named as the administrator of his estate. His home sold for £500,000 in July 2024, but it is not known whether the proceeds were able to go to his family or not.

A source said: "Dave was not doing well at the end and did not have as much as people thought, but I am sure his loved ones would have been catered for in some way."