Hollywood brothers pay tribute to Highgate stalwart

THE son of a popular Highgate man who died last week has credited his father for inspiring him and his brother to Hollywood success. Jonathan Nolan, 33, who wrote the screenplay for Hollywood blockbuster The Dark Knight which his brother Christopher, 39,

THE son of a popular Highgate man who died last week has credited his father for inspiring him and his brother to Hollywood success.

Jonathan Nolan, 33, who wrote the screenplay for Hollywood blockbuster The Dark Knight which his brother Christopher, 39, directed, paid tribute to their father Brendan, who died aged 73 at the Whittington hospital last Wednesday.

The Dark Knight, starring Christian Bale, was part of Christopher's acclaimed Batman series.

The two had flown in from the United States along with Mr Nolan's eldest son Matthew, 41, to be alongside their mother Christina and were by Brendan's side when he passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer.

Jonathan, who has worked together with his brother on several hugely successful Hollywood films such as The Prestige and Memento, revealed how their father helped kick start their careers in writing and directing.

He said: "My dad had an 8mm camera and was obviously not concerned with the safety of it because he loaned it to Chris. He began to make science fiction movies and he has been going ever since.

"I also remember him reading to us as kids. You just take it for granted when you are kids but he would make up stories, most of the time on the spot. He had an amazing ability to spin a yarn, which he did right up to the end."

Brendan Nolan lived in Highgate for over 40 years but had previously worked in the US in the advertising industry before settling in N6.

Jonathan recalled: "He would often come to visit us in LA and loved pointing out hotels he had stayed in or movie sets where he had shot commercials. Everything we had done, he had been there and done that.