Emotional Alan Cumming Shocked By Grandfather’s Death | Who Do You Think You Are

Alan Cumming visits Malaysia to get to the bottom of how his Grandfather dies and is dumbfounded to find under what circumstances he passed.
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[@nancypeteja6560]

The autopsy report sounds like an execution not roulette.

[@rickmcbryer1122]

REDRUM

[@laurathornton1456]

That may have been done to spare the family or to allow them to collect insurance. I don't think many insurance companies would sanction Russian Roulette.

[@Janine11155]

cover story

[@lisakaz35]

I agree. The Russian Roulette thing sounds like a cover story, esp. if the GF found someone in his force had befriended the enemy or something similar.

[@cristinafonseca4684]

That is such a bad excuse, he was most definitely executed.

[@njpham]

I think Alan was right at the beginning of the video when he said nobody shoots themselves in the back of the head.

[@susanbailey977]

Before reading the comments below, I somehow didn't believe the old man's version of how Alan's Grandfather died. Poor Alan what a shock.

[@paulchristopher8634]

Well he did say it was a story that had been going around at the time so who knows if it’s true or not

[@cathyn7640]

I'm horrified by the old man's description of their job, and how they caught and killed people and then displayed their remains.

[@johngeorge9865]

This still happens in nigeria the police have no respect for poor people

[@carolweideman1905]

Why? In many countries, it still happens.

[@cathyn7640]

@@carolweideman1905 Didn't say I was surprised. I was horrified. Still am. The man spoke as though his soul had been hollowed out. It was, and is, horrific.

[@allybally0021]

There were bigger events happening.....all horrific.....it wasn't like this was not part of a particular kind of war.

[@1988doka]

Carol Weideman k

[@kerwynbrat5771]

No residue indicates he was shot from at least 14 inches away. This was an execution not a game

[@rebeccatatum4574]

My thought exactly.

[@themadplotter]

infact it would be further minimum distance back in those days, you could get residue from even further than that because ammo wasn't as effecient.

[@lisakaz35]

@@clayz1 He said he wasn't there, so maybe he bought the cover story. Or maybe he's hiding something.

[@jasond1433]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@oriel9347]

Aw come on! "Three inches behind the right ear" No way is that self inflicted. This is terrible !

[@FranMSK]

If you've read Alan's book, you know there was a *lot* going on for him at the time offscreen.

[@theculturedthug6609]

Like what?

[@davidsobkowiak1175]

@@theculturedthug6609 the book is called “not my fathers son” it’s definitely worth a read

[@FranMSK]

​@@theculturedthug6609His very abusive father came back into his life and said that Alan wasn't his son.

[@brandyjean7015]

​@@FranMSKwhether that was true or not; it was used as simply another way to inflict pain.

[@lydiaedwards8100]

I take this story that the old man told him was metaphorical. His grandfather constantly engaged in risky behaviors with the local people and he was eliminated as a consequence.

[@LanarkshireLegacy]

Interesting take on it.

[@emoedison]

The old man is very carefully telling the lie and the truth at the same time, and I don't think Cumming picked that up entirely..

[@lokilxix]

I think you are exactly right. "he either got careless, ran out of luck or both."

[@tobiasmvisse]

i think Alan's smart enough to understand that that man lied to him

[@wendypskelton4292]

His death was no accident. Poor Alan so very shocking for him either way.

[@elizabethtrainer9732]

NOT Roulette, the old guy telling Alan about the "Roulette" is clearly hiding something....he was murdered.

[@nestaannjarrett4948]

I thought he was giving Alan some shifty eyed looks.

[@taniacole3466]

Yeah, I don’t trust that guy, he was murdered.

[@jimsy5530]

Given what his grandfather's WW2 officer said about his grandfather, combined with the autopsy, and this guy's shifty nature and general offhandedness when talking about what would be war crimes if the Malaya Emergency had been called a war, I wonder if his grandfather had wanted to say something about some sort of atrocity committed by the police or army, and was shut up.

[@pameladawson4081]

@@taniacole3466 I agree.

[@anndarley9229]

@@jimsy5530 I totally agree with what you've said - In my working life I've never seen a self-inflicted gunshot wound without gunpowder burns. Tom Darling was executed/murdered.

[@deeholland2435]

I love, love, love Alan Cumming!!! His life and career are soooo interesting and this journey he took is fascinating!

[@lokilxix]

I feel like the man was telling a story and when he saw he wasn't getting his point across with the metaphor he just switched it to literal because he couldn't go back by then. The way he says "he got careless, his luck ran out or both" just feels like something was going on. No charring of the skin and shot in the back of the head is not what happens when playing Russian roulette, that is what happens in an execution.

[@hunbun9052]

I agree, he was about to go there but didn't dare to when Alain didn't enquire any further, so he stuck with the rumor/ story. They could probably tell from the bullet that it wasn't the Malayan's so they had to come up with the Russian roulette story. I would have loved to know the real story and am sure this guy could have told it. I feel it is in some way related to how they displayed the dead Malayan's that were fighting to get back their country because why would he have otherwise shared that particular information in this context.

[@rebeccanater]

the coroner probably knew what was going on too

[@1251wire]

I hope Alan's shock is from the old man lying to him and Alan knowing he's being lied to.

[@BAn-mu4qe]

1251wire> Well said!!!

[@katherinetutschek4757]

@@briantoal8872 Why do you think he's lying?

[@katherinetutschek4757]

@@briantoal8872 I mean the guy who told the Russian Roulette story

[@tobiasmvisse]

alan's a smart man. i think he understood

[@tobiasmvisse]

plus the way he showed his shock was more of a "is he seriously making this up right now?", at least i feel like that's how it looks

[@jackmcnamara6973]

He was either killed by the colonial police force or the local freedom fighters. Absolutely no chance that it's Russian roulette gone wrong.

[@gertvanderhorst2890]

You forgot to mention the possibility that the man who did the autopsy left out the powder burns, for whatever reason.

[@BAn-mu4qe]

Jack Mc Namara> Hello. If you look above, you will see that I came to exactly the same conclusion as you did without having first read your comment! If the grandfather indeed was as admired as was reported both by the 89 year old soldier and by the two Malay brothers then perhaps there were those who were furious that he tried to serve as a mediator of sorts among the nationals. If he were so hated by nationals, they would not have named a park in his honor....The russian roulette story is one of the flimsiest lies I have heard in a long time!

[@joanhaughton3391]

The description of the injury brings to mind an execution...NOT Russian Roulette gone wrong.

[@rondaallen7211]

the autopsy said no residue. if you shoot yourself there will be blowback.

[@jimstanga6390]

No muzzle stamp...no barrel collar abrasion...no explosive laceration of scalp...no flash burns...no subcutaneous emphysema from muzzle blast...no cordite residue...this needs further investigation

[@WickedKingLycoan]

Poor Alan. If it’s true, or, if it’s nonsense, God Bless Him And His Family. Neither case if true would bring him peace. And I can only wish Alan and his Family Have All The Love And Happiness That Life Can Bring.

[@robin_5099]

Sounds rather fishy to me. While I’m certainly no expert, The physics, that is to say, shot placement and lack of powder residue doesn’t seem to fully substantiate the Russian roulette theory.

[@robin_5099]

KennyG Hansen Thank you for your very meaningful and eloquent response

[@miguelBT2809]

Cover up...

[@krisc2535]

These are the dark sides of the British empire we're not taught about

[@Cloudryder9]

Explains why Cummings returned his O.B.E.

[@mawmawd627]

The “Russian Roulette” story seems suspicious. Not believable.

[@Hoganply]

He'd seen awful stuff, of course it was believable, and autopsies can be falsified.

[@katherenewedic8076]

Especially because of the way they displayed bodies

[@lisakaz35]

Too bad he didn't talk to the guy who did the autopsy.

[@dotnb]

Totally unbelievable.

[@lisakaz35]

@@Hoganply You have to see which is more likely the liar in terms of motives. Of course, exhuming the body might prove who lied.

[@siobhanmcallen3506]

This is a terrible shock for Alan. V sad .Im loving Alan in his series instinct at the moment never knew he was Scottish .

[@opheliaismyname9180]

That was what was so entertaining about him doing a Scottish accent while undercover, I was waiting for someone to go "and what bloody accent do you think you're doing?"

[@srqlisa7881]

i feel bad for Alan. I'm sure his grandfather would be proud of him. Everyone copes in different ways, feeling alive is one of them. Peace

[@carokat1111]

It does sound like he was shot from behind.

[@reneemoreno8030]

Most definitely

[@Spikeelsucko]

The old man knows it wasn't an accident, but is also smart enough not to just say so outright- if he's still alive the people who might have done this and more might be too.

[@timothykalinowski504]

Very sketch. Agreed.

[@dougan057]

He was murdered

[@fiachraswaz]

Either the elderly gent is hiding the truth or the guy who performed the autopsy was, perhaps saving face for the establishment

[@concernedcitizen6313]

I tend to take the autopsy report at face value rather than the old guy's story, especially since having an officer murdered, say, by one of those "terrorists" would actually help the Establishment's cause by further justifying their violence toward the populace. Dying by "running out of luck" during Russian Roulette doesn't make anyone look good.

[@Lafemmefutile]

@@concernedcitizen6313 Seriously- so high ranking officers are playing Russian roulette? Total disgrace!

[@nerdbot37]

Sheesh... Roy Samson (sp?) comes across as a cold-blooded, amoral character from a Graham Greene novel.

[@sabrina-wq4uu]

The story the former security officer told doesn't match the official autopsy record. Now the issue becomes- which is more believable? I tend to lean more toward the official record.

[@gbarbecue2399]

the old guy comes across as utterly, utterly loathsome.

[@donalhartman6235]

Totally...his story is specious, and I wonder if he had played a role in the death of Darling. Nothing rings credible, from the new park sign for someone who only spent 7 months in the community, and the "fact" that Darling's superiors "knew" he gambled with Russian roulette. Everything smacks of a coverup by the older men in the community. My guess is that Darling was a threat to the established order and they decided to get rid of him and then along comes the grandson, and the stories were created and the park sign was put in place.

[@ellie698]

I just came here to say that. He described dead bodies as " decoration" of the police station and then he tells Cummings that story so callously. No empathy. No understanding of what Alan is going through, he doesn't react at all to Alan's obvious shock and upset at being told such devastating news. He recounts it as of he's telling him someone just popped out for a sandwich or something. What a disgraceful human being.

[@melissasaint3283]

@@ellie698 showing him those images was strange. Was it meant to repel him from asking more?

[@markhand4530]

i wrote a comment to say the same thing he really is the weirdest guy so cold and callous he seemed like he was really enjoying being part of a death squad

[@markhand4530]

@@ellie698 i said the same thing so weird i wonder what a psychologist would make of this guy a sociopath or something

[@ceebee4750]

Tom Darlings looks shockingly like Ernest Hemingway in his post-WW1 years.

[@adamahmad1262]

My God.When I hear story like this is what makes me proud of my country.Alan Cumming was in Malaysia, how could I missed it!

[@lulubell9711]

Exactlyyyyy..i was like.. Omg he went to Malaysia.?..

[@trishcooley5810]

That thunder WAS his GRANDFATHER! A moment after his cause of death was finally revealed!

[@katewalsh7783]

How horribly heartbreaking 😥

[@TwinMom-gi1rc]

The thunder in the background when he was reading the autopsy was his grandfather mad that his death was a lie! He was definitely murdered

[@reneemoreno8030]

Whatever his grandfathers actions were, Mr. Cummings in no way should feel any responsibility. People do things to survive, no judgement, he is here now because of the courage and risk his grandfather may have or not taken. Blessings

[@AJ-vm6by]

odds are your grandfather tried to do the right thing and the guy you spoke with and other bad people like him had to get rid of him because he was getting in the way...

[@deathdragonslayer1]

Old man took out Alan's granddad. Alan did not pick up on the holes in his story because he was too emotionally invested; who wouldn't? But for the neutrals watching at home, the old man's story about Alan's grandad is really pathetic

[@katharina...]

I think so too.

[@iagreewithyoubub]

This is intense. I can't fathom finding out such things.

[@nancyhammons3594]

This is sad, I've liked Alan's work for several years, but he had already said that Grandpa couldn't have shot himself. Wow.

[@lynnwalters1213]

The russian roulette explanation does not make sense to me because of how far back on the head the bullet went in.

[@TTony-tu6dm]

“No charring of the skin”. No powder burns. He didn’t shoot himself. Unless, as another poster mentioned, the report was falsified to try and protect his reputation. That is also possible.

[@imerupp]

I think that dude knows alot more.

[@RL-82]

Autopsy report states no powder burns with entry 3 inches behind and level with the ear. Does not sound like Russian roulette, more like execution. Not buying the old man's story. But like he said he was not there, it was just what he was told.

[@paulspeakman551]

Either the Russian roulette story was just that, a story, or the autopsy report was falsified to protect his reputation.

[@AG4KN]

His father's aquintence was not telling the truth. What he describes does not match the autopsy report not does it match how one would play russian roulette (reference how one would hold the firearm when playing). No, his father's aquintence quickly cast responsibility away anyone else. Since he said he wasn't there, and the nature of the wound, its more likely that he was assassinated; by whom and for what reason is the question.

[@tm502010]

Didn’t see that coming: Shot - Back behind ear. No residue. Something fishy as hell here!

[@terrancebrown87]

He was an absolute badass and deserves a movie!

[@stefengriff7956]

having been to war myself, i can say i understand why he may have ended himself and took such chances. it is the unseen casualty of war

[@weelass3188]

There is nothing right about the old man telling Cummings the story about the Russian roulette. He sort of looks evil. That's the vibe I picked up from him.

[@dragonfly686868]

EXACTLY. When I saw that guy’s younger picture with that smile - my immediate impression was this person looks like he has done all kinds, I mean, ALL KINDS of heinous stuff. But ok who am I to tell that about a stranger? Then when the camera showed his current self with those eyes - those are devils eyes. Then when he said they killed those ppl and dump them at Tom’s doorstep, no remorse, no shame - again I don’t kn the man but sometimes you can tell by the look of the person. A person’s eyes won’t lie!

[@gentleeyes]

This man has some guilt over it for sure. I think Tom Darling and he disagreed over brutality against the locals, maybe Tom was going to turn him in.

[@christinap-c]

Ahhhh. That tracks.

[@laurathornton1456]

His grandfather seems to have been one of those men who needed action all the time. One of those thrill seekers. Rarely ends well

[@hay2828]

thumbs up for most interesting "who do you think you are" episode

[@prettypurple7175]

OMG////BLOODY BRUTAL////HE LOOKED SO OVERWHELMED BY THE SHOCKING FACTS/////

[@dianek1476]

Alan is awesome.

[@exdus235]

Brings to mind the brutal scenes in THE DEERHUNTER where men are forced to play Russian Roulette. 😱

[@judithhand4987]

Eww. I saw that at a fairly early age and your comment brought at least of fell of it back.

[@fawnjenkins7266]

So sad. But how does one still do that on their own? The angle still doesn't make sense. 😢

[@luna7km]

The angle makes sense. It is 3 inches behind the ear and level with the ear. It's possible.

[@steverichardson6920]

Don’t dishonour your Grandfathers memory, take the information you have gleaned to a serving or ex forensic investigator for an “opinion”. My initial thoughts are murdered or executed, single shot behind the ear, no one plays Russian Roulette with someone else holding the revolver behind you.

[@sim33009]

That is a terrible thing for Alan to have to carry in his mind for the rest of his life.

[@marymacza]

Nope. More to that story surely!!?

[@wildblue0]

Doesn't seem to ring true to me. The autopsy seemed to rule that sort of thing out.

[@marymacza]

Shot was three inches behind his ear. Doesn't suggest russian roulette!

[@wildblue0]

I'm leaning towards executed by communist sympathizer, but it's not like we'll ever find out.

[@marymacza]

@@wildblue0 executed for sure. Shame for Alan. I've liked him for years. Fellow Scot!

[@phoenixfriend]

Unless maybe he had an accomplice who would pull the trigger for him. Might not have been brave enough to pull it himself and he might have trusted the person in question to be able to tell the position of the bullet in the chamber. The accomplice's involvement might then have been covered up, since Alan's grandfather was playing by free will.

[@shellc6743]

Russian Roulette doesn't involve 3" behind the ear.

[@Vesnicie]

What if this old guy was in fact the murderer? Popped off the officer to make some room up the greasy pole.

[@jean6453]

Or someone was gambling and they didn't want to lose the money

[@born2biscuit]

right lets take the word of some old guy who wasnt even there

[@katesnow8654]

Very suspicious old man.

[@peterfranks6243]

I'll be a bit suspicious of that old codger speaking about my grandad, a bit jealous I THINK

[@matthewhines9787]

Anyone else think the old man killed Tom?

[@dlow8423]

That's a cover up story. Sorry to say but the autopsy report and the story don't match up. Sounds more like he was executed.

[@svee1350]

Yes...no residue no direct contact.

[@Comet12864]

While the story certainly sounds like a cover-up, the man telling him the story says that he wasn't there at the time. Of course, that too could be a lie, but if he wasn't there, it could be that he was also told a cover story and never knew himself how Alan's grandfather may have actually died.

[@mkuti-childress3625]

That’s what it looks like to me.

[@juliewagner8240]

How disgusting that old man was when he said the people executed where “decorations “ for the police department! Who says that?

[@hilaryc3203]

Research what the British did to the Australian aborigines. It was an attempt at genocide. There's one picture on the net of a british "gentleman" sitting on a chair in his suit and the wall behind him is covered with the heads of the people kills. Horrific and not that long ago.

[@themadplotter]

@@hilaryc3203 we should do that to all the auzzy's just not the abo's now.

[@neilog747]

That shocking level of depersonalisation enables the useful idiots who police brutal regimes to psychologically survive.

[@jgg59]

The British had conveniently rewrote history. From the colonization to Ireland to their colonies around the world. They practiced everything on the Irish first

[@felicitybywater8012]

@@themadplotter Yeah, same to you, mate. Australian here.

[@powers39]

If he play Russian Roulette, there would have been powder burns.

[@carlaandrews5376]

He was executed. Not a game.

[@jordanabeaulieu2530]

Side note: the old guy looks a bit like Carroll O'Connor when he was older

[@QUARTERMASTEREMI6]

Wait a minute, he simply got careless, ran out of luck or both?! Of course, I didn't know the man, but from what I and everyone else watching this has heard, that story doesn't even sound remotely like Alan's grandfather at all. That's total rubbish, and honestly seems rather fishy he would lose his life in a gamble.

[@ChazzyWS]

I'm a little confused... the autopsy said there were no burn marks at the point of entry and the wound was 3" behind the ear... that does not sound like the sort of thing a person could inflict on themselves?

[@MichelePernerBlum]

Woah that's so heavy.

[@PuffKitty]

If he was playing Russian Roulette, it could have been because his psyche was warped and desensitized from dealing with all the corpses left at the police station. I don't believe that story, though. It doesn't seem to have the ring of truth 🤔

[@markroulette3419]

This just doesn’t add up with the autopsy. Somethings not right.

[@e.a.wtzipporah1192]

The old guy is lying , right? the sutopsy doesnt sound like russian roulette

[@TazzyCee78]

I call BS...that old man and his story is suss AF!

[@rigaflr]

Taryn Costello especially his first comment is, well of course I wasn’t there...his explanation is so blasé and cold.

[@TazzyCee78]

@@rigaflr I agree. It's obvious to me he's lying the entire time.

[@TheFurreid]

.. small world.. I was working in Segamat in 2002.. Cha’ah is close by..

[@dennysmith7862]

What war was this at what time pse? SO many bloody wars on planet ...

[@charlesducane3713]

The Malaya Emergency 1948-1960

[@pamelahomeyer748]

Image consultant alert

[@anchorskid]

3" behind his ear? No GS residue? Roulette?

[@Smooshes786]

Sounds like an execution. Only other explanation would be if he spun the chamber and handed it to someone to use it. That would be weird.

[@margarethines5789]

There is something despicable about that old man!

[@JesusRunsMyHouse]

When a person plays roulette they down aim at the back of they're head but when a person is executed they are almost always shot from behind.

[@deepriver6155]

He should play Sherlock Holmes

[@onlyme7248]

He ought to feel sad for the local victims !!

[@gertvanderhorst2890]

So easy and so very 2021 to judge so pc. " look what a good person I am "

[@michaeltoney2277]

If he was murdered why lie about it; unless you are the perpetrator or are protecting them. I think someone killed that guy.

[@b.wilder1663]

I see comments at the top here that state what I was going to state-- The autopsy report is either correct or not, but it indicates execution, not roulette. Even if Big Tom DID play Russian Roulette for cash, that doesn't seem to be how he died. I don't understand why Alan didn't speak up about the autopsy report. Maybe this is the story that went around. Maybe Tom's superiors who told this man, Roy, that's how Tom died. Maybe Tom's superiors killed him. Ugh. No matter what the truth is, it's tragic.

[@coopsxxi5594]

I don't believe that roulette story for one second i think he was murdered and it got covered up

[@bigballer6105]

You win some you lose some.

[@michaeltemple2457]

But the autopsy said " no charing "

[@google1532]

Cover up!

[@theculturedthug6609]

Something about that old man.

[@jeanross7430]

That seems to be a very odd story.

[@exdus235]

Deerhunter Christopher Walken, earns money to send home by playing Russian Roulette.

[@one1charlie643]

Autopsy shows no power burns on wound. Which means he was shot at a distance from behind. Execution, not RR

[@felicitybywater8012]

Poor Alan. And then he had to go home & give his family the same news before it became public on TV. What a dark 0lace his grandfather must have been in.

[@j.b.4614]

Who knows .......

[@marthasells6937]

My gut reaction is this man is not telling the truth. He is covering something up. Look at his eyes. Corruption would have been rampant and still is in those communities.

[@BryonLape]

I don't think the old man believes the Russian Roulette story.