Archer Dies at 86; Garfield Plays Altman in 'Artificial'

“Sad news first. The BBC reports author and former politician Jeffrey Archer has died aged eighty-six.” — Gloria Vance, on air

On air: Chip Darnell and Gloria Vance on The Asia Desk
Published 12:32 AM ET, Tuesday, October 6, 2026

At a glance

First reported by BBC: “Author and former politician Jeffrey Archer dies aged 86”, with reporting from Variety.
Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 12:32 AM ET on The Asia Desk, by Chip Darnell and Gloria Vance.
Topics: Jeffrey Archer, Andrew Garfield, Sam Altman, OpenAI.
BBN covered this story before: Stewart Tackles AI; Garfield Plays Altman in 'Artificial' (October 6).

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

BBCAuthor and former politician Jeffrey Archer dies aged 86
VarietyAndrew Garfield Says OpenAI’s Sam Altman Seemed ‘F—ing Great’ Before Playing Him in ‘Artificial’: And Then You Learn More About a Person’

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorSad news first. The BBC reports author and former politician Jeffrey Archer has died aged eighty-six.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorHe sold more than three hundred million books over five decades.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThree hundred million books! That's more copies than there are napkins at a county fair funnel cake stand, and I've counted those personally.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorHis last book, Adam and Eve, is due out later this month.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorVariety reports Andrew Garfield played Sam Altman in the new film Artificial, premiering at the New York Film Festival.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorGarfield says Altman seemed great before he learned more about him.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorFolks, that's every first date I've had at a Applebee's, and honestly, the appetizers carried it.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorActors often research a person and find disappointment. I once interviewed a general who was perfectly charming until he confiscated my luggage.