What happened with Tom Stoppard and Sinéad Cusack? Late playwright engaged in affair with Irish actress married to Jeremy Irons

Literary genius Tom Stoppard died at the age of 88 on November 29, 2025, as per the Daily Mail. The British-Czech playwright turned screenwriter, besides his plays, is also known for his contributions to film, television, and radio. Stoppard passed away at his Dorset residence in England, United Kingdom. His family members were with him while he took his last breath.

Tom Stoppard, an Academy Award-winning screenwriter, left a profound impact with his impeccable and remarkable work that not only explored political and philosophical themes but also other different and interesting themes. Stoppard won the Oscar for the screenplay of John Madden's romantic drama film, Shakespeare in Love, starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Ben Affleck, and Judi Dench. While he was catapulted to mainstream fame in 1966 after his play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead became popular, Stoppard eventually became a highly successful and celebrated playwright in modern times.

As the news of his passing broke out, the netizens became curious to find out what happened between Tom Stoppard and the 77-year-old Irish actress Sinéad Cusack. According to the Irish Independent, Stoppard and the Eastern Promises actress, Cusack, were in a ten-year-long affair while Sinéad was married to British actor Jeremy Irons. Stoppard and Cusack's decade-long affair was mentioned in Hermione Lee's 2020 book Tom Stoppard: A Life. As per reports, their affair went on from 1997 to 2007.

Tom Stoppard's friends paid tribute to the celebrated playwright after his passing away

As Stoppard passed away on November 29, his friends shared their last respects and paid tribute to him. Rock legend and frontman of The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger, a close friend of Stoppard, honored him and said:

"Tom was a giant of the English theatre, both highly intellectual and very funny in all his plays and scripts. He had a dazzling wit and loved classical and popular music alike, which often featured in his huge body of work. ‘He was amusing and quietly sardonic. A friend and companion and I will always miss him."

Among other people who paid tribute to Stoppard was the Australian-British author Kathy Lette. She called the late playwright:

"one of the wittiest people I ever met."

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According to The Daily Mail, in 2017, Stoppard was presented with a lifetime achievement award. During his acceptance speech, he said:

"Quite frankly, it has always meant a lot to me, the idea that one is writing for the future as well. I’m never convinced it will work out that way."

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