Patrick Macnee, the star of 1960s cult hit TV series The Avengers among other film and TV roles, has died. He was 93 years old.
The actor died on Thursday of natural causes with his family at his bedside at his home in California, according to his website.
"Patrick was at home wherever in the world he found himself," the statement says in memorializing the English-born Macnee.
"He had a knack for making friends, and keeping them. Wherever he went, he left behind a trove of memories and good wishes."
The actor worked for decades, but was best known for portraying John Steed on the 1960s UK television series, The Avengers.
The spy drama made its U.S. debut in 1966 and ran for 8 seasons here as well, with Macnee appearing in all but two episodes.
The classic series was progressive in its depiction of women as equals to men, Macnee himself noted in a 2010 interview:
"It was the first show that put its leading man and leading lady on an equal footing, showed a woman fighting and kicking and throwing men around."
"That was a radical departure in its time."
His The Avengers character was also notable for his use of an umbrella rather than a gun. The statement on his website says:
"Mr. Macnee became outspoken and, in later years, took every opportunity to express his disapproval of [guns] in private hands."
Aside from The Avengers, Macnee appeared on Broadway and in films like A View to a Kill, The Howling, and This Is Spinal Tap.
He penned two memoirs Blind in One Ear and The Avengers: The Inside Story. He is survived by two children and one grandson.