He passed away peacefully at home on April 16, 2026, surrounded by his family-including his wife, Louise, whom he married just months before his death, and their one-year-old daughter, Saoirse. His family said in a statement: “We’re absolutely heartbroken to announce that Finnian passed away after a sudden decline in his condition. You were the greatest husband, father, son, brother, and friend we could ask for.”

Who Was Finnian Garbutt?

Finnian Garbutt was born and raised in Bangor, County Down, in Northern Ireland. He discovered his passion for acting as a teenager and went on to graduate from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in July 2019 - one of the UK’s most respected performing arts institutions. From there he built a career that, while brief, was marked by genuine warmth, consistent professionalism, and a talent that earned him loyal audiences and devoted colleagues. He was 28 years old.

Finnian Garbutt Age

Finnian Garbutt was 28 years old at the time of his death on April 16, 2026. He was born in Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. He was diagnosed with Stage 3 malignant melanoma in December 2021 at the age of 25.

Finnian Garbutt Career

Garbutt graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in July 2019. His breakout role was on BBC Northern Ireland’s police procedural Hope Street, where he appeared in over 30 episodes starting from its third season, playing PC Ryan Power. He also made an appearance in the long-running medical series Casualty.

On film, he starred as Raymond in the indie movie Housejackers, which debuted at the Belfast Film Festival. On stage, he played Benvolio in a production of Romeo and Juliet at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast.

Eddie Doyle, Head of Content Commissioning at BBC Northern Ireland, said Finnian was a “key part of Hope Street’s appeal.” Long Story TV described him as a “much-loved member of the Hope Street family” and said he “brought a great sense of fun to set every day.”

Finnian Garbutt Cause of Death: Illness and Cancer Battle

Garbutt was diagnosed with Stage 3 malignant melanoma in December 2021 after a barber noticed a suspicious mole behind his ear during a haircut. He initially thought it was a harmless ingrown hair. In 2022, he underwent 12 hours of major surgery to remove the tumor and 75 lymph nodes from his face and neck.

Despite initial operations, the cancer returned and progressed to Stage IV by mid-2024, spreading to his liver and lungs. He entered hospice care in late March 2026 before passing away peacefully at home.

In March 2026, the actor announced he was entering the “last stages” of his life, sharing that scans showed the cancer had progressed rapidly in his body. He used his platform to advocate for early detection, partnering with local organizations like Action Cancer and urging young men to pay attention to changes in their skin.

Finnian Garbutt Wife and Daughter

Garbutt married his partner Louise in late 2025, only about six months before his passing. The couple has a daughter named Saoirse, who was born in late 2024. Louise shared a heartbreaking tribute on his Instagram profile following his passing.

Despite his illness, Garbutt actively celebrated major life milestones, buying a house and becoming a father before his death.

Finnian Garbutt Net Worth

There are no reliable, verified public records detailing his exact net worth. In his final interviews regarding the family crowdfunding campaign, Garbutt explicitly addressed his financial state, sharing that having only been in the professional acting industry for a few years, he was “not rich” and did not have enough accumulated wealth to independently secure his family’s long-term financial future.

A public GoFundMe campaign called “Finnian’s Emergency Family Fund” was launched by his family in March 2026 to ensure financial stability for his wife and baby. The campaign successfully raised over £90,000.

Finnian Garbutt Wikipedia and Missing Hair

As of his passing, Garbutt does not have a dedicated individual Wikipedia page, though he and his character are listed on the main Wikipedia page for the show Hope Street. Queries regarding “missing hair” trace back to the fact that his initial mole was found on his scalp behind his ear by a barber, and the subsequent 12-hour surgery involved treating that area of his head and neck.

Finnian Garbutt Death and Tributes

Garbutt passed away on April 16, 2026, after a sudden decline in his condition. His family announced the news on social media, saying “you were the greatest husband, father, son, brother and friend we could ask for.”

His Hope Street co-star, Cameron Cuffe, said he had “brought joy to so many.” Long Story TV said he “will be missed in Port Devine and by all his friends at Long Story TV.” The family thanked people for their support and kind words during this “really difficult time.”

FAQs: Finnian Garbutt Death

Q: How old was Finnian Garbutt when he died?

A: He was 28 years old.

Q: What was Finnian Garbutt known for?

A: He was known for playing Police Constable Ryan Power in the BBC Northern Ireland police drama Hope Street.

Q: What type of cancer did he have?

A: Stage 3 malignant melanoma, which later progressed to Stage IV terminal cancer spreading to his liver and lungs.

Q: How was his cancer discovered?

A: A barber noticed a suspicious mole behind his ear during a haircut in December 2021.

Q: Is Finnian Garbutt married?

A: Yes. He married his partner Louise in late 2025. They have a daughter named Saoirse.

Q: What was the crowdfunding campaign for?

A: A GoFundMe campaign raised over £90,000 to secure financial stability for his wife and baby daughter.

Disclaimer: This information is based on inputs from news agency reports. TSG does not independently confirm the information provided by the relevant sources.