Actor Patrick Macnee, star of The Avengers TV series, has died in California at the age of 93.
The Briton, best known for playing John Steed in the 1960s television spy series, died at home with his family at his bedside, his son Rupert said.
Macnee also played roles in theatre, appearing on Broadway, and served in the Royal Navy during World War Two.
A statement on the actor's website read: "Wherever he went, he left behind a trove of memories."
He died peacefully at his home in California's Rancho Mirage on Thursday, Rupert said.
Born in London, Macnee grew up in Berkshire and was educated at Summerfields Preparatory School and Eton.
At the age of 11, he acted in Henry V opposite a young Sir Christopher Lee. He first appeared in the West End while still in his teens.
He played a number of minor roles - including one in Laurence Olivier's 1948 film version of Hamlet - before rising to fame in the original Avengers series between 1961 and 1969.
The series developed a cult following around the world, the BBC's Los Angeles reporter Peter Bowes said.
Steed was known for his dress sense, always donning a bowler hat and carrying an umbrella, which was used as a secret weapon.
Macnee returned when that series was reprised as The New Avengers in the 1970s, appearing alongside Joanna Lumley's Purdey and Gareth Hunt's Mike Gambit.
Later, he starred on Broadway in Anthony Shaffer's Sleuth, touring internationally with that play and several other productions
He also appeared in the 1985 James Bond film A View to a Kill, playing an ally of Roger Moore's Bond character, and made a cameo appearance as the head of a record company in This is Spinal Tap.
Sir Roger tweeted: "So very sad to hear Pat Macnee has left us.
"We were mates from 1950s and I have so many happy memories of working with him. A true gent."
Macnee featured too as a guest star in dozens of British, American and Australian TV productions.
'Ahead of their time'
In a 2014 interview with The Lady magazine, Macnee said he believed The Avengers was a success because it "did something different and did it better."
He told the magazine: "It was beautifully written, the ideas were very good, way ahead of their time and they incorporated fantasies for people who dreamed of doing exciting things."
Macnee had two children, son Rupert and daughter Kate Woodville, and one grandson.
He was married three times, including to actress Katherine Woodville, with whom he acted in The Avengers.
He had been a US citizen since 1959, according to the AP news agency.
The Avengers was an iconic series that should not have worked. It was changed somewhat in direction when Ian Hendry left the show and Honour Blackman (Fulham Fan) became Steeds partner. So many iconic episodes and Mrs Peel (Diana Rigg) was one of my first loves.
John Steed a true English hero. Patrick Macnee brought him to life.
To be honest, I always thought that 'The Avengers' was hammy to an extent even beyond what was intended. For action combined with a good deal of nonsense at that time, I always preferred 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.'
I loved the Avengers and particularly Diana Rigg. Very sad news
Had no idea he had assumed American citizenship.
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned that our own Steed was named after his most famous character.
I met him once around 1970 when the Avengers was at its height but also had no idea he'd taken overseas citizenship. It does seem very hammy now but was ahead of its time, it had an element of fantasy that Man from Uncle didn't.
When Honor Blackman left the show and they needed a replacement, a selection criterion was that the character should appeal to men, i.e. have man-appeal or M-appeal, hence the new character - Emma Peel.
Our own Steed mentioned that this is where he got his name.
My mum used to let me stay up and watch the Avengers with Emma Peel in it. Wasn't interested in the later versions to be honest. It appealed to me as it was weird. Talking of the Man from Uncle, I loved that as well.
Quote from: ron on June 25, 2015, 11:40:23 PM
To be honest, I always thought that 'The Avengers' was hammy to an extent even beyond what was intended. For action combined with a good deal of nonsense at that time, I always preferred 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.'
I am afraid I'm not with you on that one. The Avengers was a classic of post modern irony.
Loved it - could be very surreal, and because of Honor Blackman, then Diana Rigg! But Patrick Macnee was great - just the right tone of amused irony - and his only weapon was his umbrella, he never had a gun!
Very much of that time -and makes me nostalgic.
Another sad loss, seemed like a decent English gent!
The Avengers is one of my favourite shows - the Diana Rigg/Patrick Macnee partnership was inspired.
Very sad to hear he's died, but 93's not a bad innings.
RIP Patrick Macnee. You were a true gent. 065.gif
Loved it, loved Mrs. Peel !!! Loved those 'folding' headlights on her car.
RIP, Patrick - the one-and-only perfect Steed (outside of football, that is).
Yep, one of my favorite shows as a youngster, however hammy it might appear these days, it was a great show of its times.
As with others, Diana Rigg was one of my first loves, and saw her recently in The Painted Veil movie (great movie btw), pity Mrs Peel turned into Mrs. Bond after what happened to her!
Saw Diana Rigg in a West End play decades ago where she appeared topless. Impressive performance all around. Now to see her on Game of Thrones, wizened and wrinkled. Bit of a shock.
Quote from: Forever Fulham on June 26, 2015, 12:53:36 PM
Saw Diana Rigg in a West End play decades ago where she appeared topless. Impressive performance all around. Now to see her on Game of Thrones, wizened and wrinkled. Bit of a shock.
Yeah well I used to be shocked until I looked in the mirror. Everybody has aged better than I have.
Very sad! Also loved him in A View to a Kill with Roger Moore!