Robert Vaughn, the veteran American actor known to audiences around the world for his roles in The Magnificent Seven and The Man from UNCLE, has died. He was 83.
Vaughn passed away in New York surrounded by his family. He had been receiving treatment for acute leukaemia.
Speaking to the BBC, his manager, Matthew Sullivan, said: "He was a great human being. I enjoyed every day of working with him."
Vaughn's Man from UNCLE co-star David McCallum described himself as "utterly devastated". "Robert and I worked together for many years and losing him is like losing a part of me," he said.
The last surviving leading man from The Magnificent Seven, Vaughn's screen career spanned seven decades.
Along with his iconic performances as traumatised gunslinger Lee in The Magnificent Seven and super-suave spy Napoleon Solo in small screen favourite The Man from UNCLE, Vaughn appeared in over 200 movies and TV shows.
Other notable roles included villain Walter Chalmers opposite Steve McQueen in Bullitt, the A-Team's boss/nemesis Hunt Stockwell and detective Harry Rule in 1970s series The Protectors.
In recent years, he found a new generation of fans as master grifter Albert Stroller in the BBC series Hustle and in a memorable cameo as golden years love interest Milton Fanshaw in Coronation Street.
He had recently completed work on an episode of Law and Order: SVU and the film Gold Star, which tells the story of a young woman looking after her dying father. Vaughn's Gold Star director and co-star, Victoria Negri, said she was heartbroken to hear of his passing.
Paying tribute, Vaughn's Hustle co-star Adrian Lester described him as a "real gent".
"Old school charm in a three-piece suit," Lester continued. "He did everything on set and off with a twinkle in his eye and never once pulled rank or status or claimed he was too tired or just forgot. He set the standard that we all tried to match.
"I'm going to miss his stories, about Monroe, McQueen, Bronson, Coburn... and his jokes. His very silly, very funny jokes.
"A generous, kind, example of statesman-like skill. We were all blessed to have known and worked with him. The last 'Magnificent' to leave us.
"They really don't make them like him anymore."
RIP Mr Vaughn, It’s been a pleasure, Sir. pic.twitter.com/XfvK7opAgI
— Adrian Lester (@AdrianLester) November 11, 2016
Other actors and directors have also been paying tribute:
Oh no. Robert Vaughn, such a fine actor, one of the best Columbo villains (no higher praise than that) & an utterly charming man, has died.
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) November 11, 2016
Sorry to hear the news about Robert Vaughn.
— Sir Roger Moore (@sirrogermoore) November 11, 2016
RIP Napoleon Solo! The great Robert Vaughn was the coolest guy on TV when I was a kid. Superb in Bullitt, The Magnificent Seven & many more. pic.twitter.com/h7AzfN2pt0
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) November 11, 2016
Aw. 🙁 RIP Robert Vaughn. I got to work with him on Hustle 5 years ago. He did his own slow mo stunts that day while in his late 70s. pic.twitter.com/glFGcOhQNk
— Gavin Free (@GavinFree) November 11, 2016
